La Bamba (PG-13, 1987)
common sense media says
Sweet, sad rock-idol story for mature teens.
parents & educators say
- 33% say sexual content is an issue
- 33% say violence is an issue
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that a central character dies in this movie, although the death occurs off-screen. Also, there are several scenes involving violence, drunkenness, and/or drug use. While Ritchie's courting of Donna is innocent and sweet, his brother is quite the opposite with women. He's violent and a scene implies that he forces sex on his girlfriend. Both that and Ritchie's recurring (and prophetic) dreams of a plane crash will be disturbing to sensitive and younger viewers.
Violence:
One character in particular has violent, alcohol-fueled flare-ups that include fistfights and brawls with men and violence against his girlfriend -- verbal, physical, and sexual (a rape is implied by not shown). A character has a recurring and increasingly graphic nightmare in which two planes crash in the sky and the fiery wreckage rains down on children in a schoolyard. A main character dies in a plane crash, which takes place off-screen and is handled by radio reports. A folk healer is shown stripping a dead rattlesnake in half.
Sex:
A couple passionately makes out; they are still wearing most of their clothing and are shown from the chest up when they appear to start having sex. Teens kiss and "neck." A character remarks about his girlfriend, "I almost have to rape her just to have sex." The same character takes his younger brother to Tijuana to get him "laid." Prostitutes at a brothel/dance hall line up to be chosen.
Language:
Profanity throughout, including "f--k" and "s--t."
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Characters are shown drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and/or smoking pot. One character sells a friend some marijuana; the kilos are shown taped to his torso under his shirt. The same character often becomes drunk and violent. A character wakes up with a hangover.
More on La Bamba
Review It
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
- 33% say sexual content is an issue
- 33% say violence is an issue
- 33% say there are positive role models
- 33% say there are positive messages
- 33% say language is an issue
Most useful reviews by all members
PYEsinc
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
The worst in it is the main character dies in a plane crash (not shown, but heard on radio), siblings have fistfights, and people have parties and get drunk.
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PabloQ
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
good for kids 11 and up
I like that the main character cares about his family and that he doesn't take drugs. The only thing that I am concerned about is that there is drugs.
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am1408
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
BETTER FOR TEENS AND ADULTS
two thumps up !
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Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Great!
My rating: PG-13 for mature themes throughout.
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