Based on the true story of the King of Salsa, Hector Lavoe.
The life story of Hector Lavoe who started the salsa movement in 1975 and brought it to the United States.
Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Music
Runtime: 106 minutes
Rating: 4.9/10 (2,156 votes)
Release Date: 12 September 2006
Country: USA
Languages: Spanish, English
Company: Nuyorican Productions
Sound: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS
MPAA: Rated R for drug use, pervasive language and some sexuality.
Director(s): Leon Ichaso
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Producer(s):
Julio Caro - producer
Simon Fields - producer
Jennifer Lopez - producer
David Maldonado - producer
Omneya 'Nini' Mazen - associate producer (as Nini Mazen)
Margo Myers - co-producer
Writer(s):
Leon Ichaso - (screenplay) and
David Darmstaeder - (screenplay) (as David Darmstaedter) &
Todd Bello - (screenplay) (as Todd Antony Bello)
David Darmstaeder - (story) (as David Darmstaedter) &
Todd Bello - (story) (as Todd Antony Bello)
Cast:
Alfredo Suarez - Salsa dancer
Vianca Mercedes - Bartender
Danny A. Abeckaser - Sound Engineer
Douglas J. Aguirre - Multi- Media Producer
Marc Anthony - Hector Lavoe
Christopher Becerra - Tito
Denise Blasor - Voice over artist (voice)
Michael Caputo - Salsa Dancer
Ivan Cardona - Salsa Dancer
Federico Castelluccio - Jerry Masucci
Music: Willie Colón, Andrés Levin
Julio Caro - producer
Simon Fields - producer
Jennifer Lopez - producer
David Maldonado - producer
Omneya 'Nini' Mazen - associate producer (as Nini Mazen)
Margo Myers - co-producer
Writer(s):
Leon Ichaso - (screenplay) and
David Darmstaeder - (screenplay) (as David Darmstaedter) &
Todd Bello - (screenplay) (as Todd Antony Bello)
David Darmstaeder - (story) (as David Darmstaedter) &
Todd Bello - (story) (as Todd Antony Bello)
Cast:
Alfredo Suarez - Salsa dancer
Vianca Mercedes - Bartender
Danny A. Abeckaser - Sound Engineer
Douglas J. Aguirre - Multi- Media Producer
Marc Anthony - Hector Lavoe
Christopher Becerra - Tito
Denise Blasor - Voice over artist (voice)
Michael Caputo - Salsa Dancer
Ivan Cardona - Salsa Dancer
Federico Castelluccio - Jerry Masucci
Music: Willie Colón, Andrés Levin
Posted on: March 25, 2008
August 22nd, 2007
I must admit that I had my doubts about this film, but after I watchedit I wanted to watch it again. The movie is about the life of HectorLavoe (Mark Antony) from the point of view of his wife Puchi (JenniferLopez). I shows his personal life in those areas that affected her themost. While some people don't think much of the way the movie ispresented I think is very realistic and well acted. For those of us whoremember when Hector Lavoe was the main voice of the Salsa music thismovie brings back lots of memories. As far as the acting go Jenniferactually becomes Puchi and Mark does very well as Hector. I give it anA-
August 23rd, 2007
Outstanding performance of Jennifer Lopez. I didn't know this side ofher,as an actress with so much potential. Maybe she had to play thispart to prove it.
And Marc's wasn't bad at all! He himself could be "El Cantante" for thesoft and powerful voice he has.
The movie seemed to be somewhere between a musical and a drama.Jennifer made Puchi – Hector's wife so real,that she seemed to be thekey of Hector's life (and I knew nothing about this salsa singer upuntil I saw this movie!). And Hector was the door that Puchi managed toopen from time to time. I saw a great bond between those two and itcame out a very good movie, worth seeing, especially if you love salsamusic.
And even if you don't, you'll start loving it!
August 29th, 2007
Do you like music? Do you like the sound of the conga and the timbale?Go see this film. I don't know if it accurately portrayed Hector andhis wife as they were, but I do know the music rocked! Can it be truethat this music is rooted in the Puerto Rican experience in America? Anamalgamation of styles – the sounds of America? Is America the soundingboard for the music that makes the world dance? I was dancing in theisles while the movie was playing – the sound was fantastic (props tothe sound engineers) and Marc Anthony rocked the house. Yes, the storywas everything you'd expect from a life in the fast lane, but the musicrose above it, as it should, and framed the story with it's sublimepoetry. I left dancing, happy to have seen this musical slice of lifein New York, U.S.A. Keep on dancing! There is also fun in the U.S. ofA!
November 2nd, 2007
I was just blown over by Jennifer Lopez in the movie. She made themovie perfect for me. No false note! Time we get over her media imageand recognise her as a great actress. She was stunning and convincingplaying the different age groups, I could not take my eyes off her. Sheplayed it as she saw the role without prejudice. There is much depthand pathos in her performance. She conveyed so much in just a look. Shemade me feel all her emotions in the way she talked, she used a thickeraccent in this movie that I thought was so real. The plot was kindathin, but I think the director did not want to embelish too much, it ismeant to be a biographical movie afterall. I wish they had made themovie loosely based on the real facts and not so conscientious offactual occurrences. A lot of people felt fit to judge the movie on apolitical point of view, which I deem debatable. This showed JenniferLopez dedication to the story,she could easily have made this into ashowcase just for her, instead she stepped back. By doing so sheactually allow us to cherish every time she was on the screen. BRAVA.
November 3rd, 2007
EL CANTANTE missed in the theater run, perhaps because the public isgrowing weary of 'little person makes good, becomes a celebrity, andaborts a successful life in favor of drugs' stories. But now that thefilm is available for DVD viewing in the home, the public canappreciate the very fine qualities of this surprise work. And it maynot be too late for an Oscar nod for Jennifer Lopez…
The film is based on the life of Hector Lavoe (Marc Anthony), thePuerto Rican King of Salsa who gained fame and stardom in the 1970s and1980s as not only a talented singer but also as a charismatic 'man ofthe people'. His rise to fame is related in a tremendously effectiveblack and white late in life interview with Hector's wife Puchi (abrilliant role for Jennifer Lopez!) offering in flashback sequences therise and fall of the King of Salsa, a life cut short by both drug abuseand AIDS. Much of the film is devoted to musical sequences that bristlewith the excitement of Salsa music and Anthony carries his role asLovoe very well.
The cast is uniformly excellent with some fine new faces.Write/director Leon Ichaso lets the drama slip a bit in favor of themusic, but still the performance of Jennifer Lopez as the smart butsleazy, tacky and wise Puchi is dynamite. The film is far more solidthan expected: the opportunity for Lopez to demonstrate her talent iswell worth watching. Grady Harp
November 8th, 2007
I understand many of the folks comments. We must all keep in mind thatthe movie was based on the interview conducted with Puchi his wife. Shewas bitter and and upset at him for the drug use, the deceit and thesickness that they both shared. She should had kept in mind that she insome aspect did introduce him to the drug scene. The movie did shine acertain negative spotlight on Hector. The people that never heard ofhim or knew about him will portray him as being a loser. This moviedoes nothing for those that never knew about him or heard of him.However the true fans and the ones that do respect and love his musicit was a joyous reminiscence. I grew up loving his music and displayedhis albums with pride. He was my stepping stone for the love that Ihave for the Salsa music today. He was the pioneer and one of the majorfactors in putting Salsa on the map. i would've preferred to sit downand watch a more positive movie on his life. However It takes nothingaway on the joy and excitement that i felt to hear his music on the bigscreen. May he rest in peace and his memories will remain brightthrough his fans and admirers such as myself.