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Parents' Guide to

La Bamba

By Teresa Talerico, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Sweet, sad rock-idol tale has violence, cursing, drinking.

Movie PG-13 1987 109 minutes
La Bamba Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 15+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 18+
So much swearing

This title has:

Too much swearing
age 16+

Family orientated

It’s a movie essentially about the dynamics of family & having dreams

This title has:

Great role models

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (10 ):

LA BAMBA feels like rock 'n' roll in the fabulous '50s: fresh, young, exciting, sentimental, a little bit dangerous, but irresistibly infectious. Lou Diamond Phillips, with his wide-eyed energy and boyish charm, is endearing as the Mexican American performer whose time in the spotlight was tragically brief. The movie also depicts an intense but loving relationship between two brothers.

The concert sequences are fun and energetic, and Phillips commands the stage in these scenes. Valens' music and vocals are provided by Los Lobos, who also make an appearance as a Tijuana dance-hall band. Rock musicians Marshall Crenshaw and Brian Setzer have cameos as Holly and Eddie Cochran.

Movie Details

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