Common Sense Note
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 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.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Teresa Talerico
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 at the Houston Astrodome that drew record-breaking crowds. The movie then flashes back to Selena's childhood in Texas. Her father, a former doo-wop singer, recognizes Selena's natural singing abilities, and organizes her and her siblings into a musical group. At first, the three kids protest rehearsing 1950s tunes and Spanish-language songs. But they start to enjoy themselves as they perform at area festivals, and Selena slowly develops a following.
By the time she's a young adult, she's a superstar in the Tejano music scene. Although Abraham is proud of her, he has trouble accepting that Selena is 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. The movie handles Selena's untimely death by relying mostly on TV news-style reports, although there's a scene of her killer (Lupe Ontiveros) holding a gun to her own head.
In addition to the energetic concert scenes, the film also features other memorable moments: Selena's mother (Constance Marie) teaching her dance steps on the waterfront; Abraham losing it when Selena wears a skimpy bustier on stage -- their father-daughter discussion on the tour bus afterward is touching and sweet. In one scene demonstrating Selena's ability to connect with fans, she calms a rowdy audience by singing softly and shushing them with a finger to her lips. The movie ends with footage of the real Selena.
Although the film occasionally feels somewhat sugar-coated, Selena remains a very watchable, entertaining, and moving tribute to a beloved performer. It also includes portrayals of Mexican-American culture and Hispanic families.
Families who enjoyed this movie might also like Stand and Deliver, La Bamba, or Maid in Manhattan.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentKissing 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. |
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ViolenceIt'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. |
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LanguageA character says "s--t" and "damn" in frustration. Non-Latinos are referred to as "gringos" in a few scenes. |
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Social BehaviorOverall, 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." |
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CommercialismA bag of Doritos and a can of Coca-Cola are visible in separate scenes. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoA hard-rock band is shown trashing a hotel room; empty beer bottles are strewn throughout the room. |
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