Tools for this page
Print

Selena

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    J-Lo hits the right notes in Tejano star's tale.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Overall, a portrait of a principled and very loving Latino family. A character apparently embezzles money. A daughter defies her family to marry her boyfriend. A father, although he has a good heart, is extremely dominating. The movie also depicts instances of ethnic or gender discrimination: A club owner forbids performers to sing at his establishment because they are Mexican-American, and a festival promoter pays a band less because the lead singer is "just a woman."

  • Violence:

    It's not shown, but we learn through news reports that a character has fatally shot someone; she is then shown holding the gun to her own head. We briefly see the victim being carried to an ambulance on a stretcher.

  • Sex:

    Kissing between two main characters who later get married; an unidentified couple is shown kissing passionately at a fair. Selena wears some skimpy tops on stage.

  • Language:

    A character says "s--t" and "damn" in frustration. Non-Latinos are referred to as "gringos" in a few scenes.

  • Consumerism:

    A bag of Doritos and a can of Coca-Cola are visible in separate scenes.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A hard-rock band is shown trashing a hotel room; empty beer bottles are strewn throughout the room.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Selena was written by Teresa Talerico

Parents need to know that this movie is based on the life of Selena, the popular singer who was killed in 1995. Kids may ask questions about the events surrounding her murder. The murder isn't shown, but one character does hold a gun to her own head. At the center of this film is a portrait of a principled and loving Latino family -- something rarely depicted in movies.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the relationship between Selena and her father. Why is he so domineering? Does he deny his kids a childhood by forcing them to perform in a musical group? Or is he urging them, especially Selena, to reach their potential? Also, thousands of young girls idolized Selena. How does the movie depict her as a role model through her personality, her ventures in music and fashion, and her ability to succeed despite ethnic and gender challenges? Kids might also have questions about Tejano music, a Tex-Mex genre that blends elements of pop, country, Mexican polka, and other styles.
Did this review help you decide?

Are you going to see it?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on Selena

What’s the Story?

SELENA, a touching, effervescent, and ultimately tragic biopic, tells the story of the Grammy-winning Tejano singer Selena, who was killed at age 23 by her fan-club president. Jennifer Lopez shines in the title role of the movie, which chronicles the performer's rise to stardom and explores her relationship with her tight-knit family, including a domineering yet loving father, Abraham (Edward James Olmos). The story begins with one of Selena's last performances, a concert that drew record-breaking crowds, then flashes back to Selena's childhood in Texas. Her father, a former singer, recognizes Selena's natural singing abilities, and organizes her and her siblings into a musical group. The kids perform at festivals, and Selena slowly develops a following. By the time she's a young adult, she's a superstar in the Tejano music scene. Abraham is proud of Selena, but can't accept that she's growing up. This leads to various conflicts, which boil over when Selena falls in love with the band's lead guitarist, Chris (Jon Seda). Just when Selena seems content and on the brink of mainstream pop success, her life is tragically cut short. Selena's untimely death mostly through TV news-style reports, although there's a scene of her killer (Lupe Ontiveros) holding a gun to her own head.
Close

Is It Any Good?

Movie Details

Studio: Warner Home Video, Director: Gregory Nava
Run time: 128 minutes
Theatrical release: 03/21/1997, DVD release: 09/18/2007
MPAA Rating: PG for mild language and thematic elements

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

our community policy
What did you think about Selena?

or

to post a review

See all 4 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    textingqueen
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Love it!

    We love this movie!!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    nazz4ever
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Bloody Gorgeous
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Amazingly Spectacular!

    Selena's story is so amazing... I was actually about to be named after her since I was born the year she dies. JLo did a good job... i guess. There are some very... passionate kissing scenes. Nothing to freak out about. The movie was awesome though. I loved it! It's so sad... it WILL make you cry. You must watch this move, epecially if you are a fan of Selena. I love Selena's music. May she Rest in Peace.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Adult Reviewer
    purpleslayer57
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    memories

    i enjoyed this,and jlo played a great selena of course.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Age 6+
    The Princess and the Frog

    The Princess and the Frog

    First African-American Disney princess is a good role model.

  • Advice for Parents

    Tips for a Healthy Media Diet

    Tips for a Healthy Media Diet

    New gadget gifts? Get help setting limits.

  • Must See TV

    Age 3+
    Team Umizoomi

    Team Umizoomi

    Super team teaches preschoolers real-life math applications.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Game of the Week

    Age 5+
    Reader Rabbit Kindergarten

    Reader Rabbit Kindergarten

    Fave brainy bunny hops to DS for learning romp that talks.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.