Selena

    Selena
    1997

    Synopsis

    In this biographical drama, Selena Quintanilla is born into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas. Her father, Abraham, realizes that his young daughter is talented and begins performing with her at small venues. She finds success and falls for her guitarist, Chris Perez, who draws the ire of her father. Seeking mainstream stardom, Selena begins recording an English-language album which, tragically, she would never complete.

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    Cast

    • Jennifer LopezSelena Quintanilla
    • Jackie GuerraSuzette Quintanilla
    • Constance MarieMarcela Quintanilla
    • Alex MenesesSara
    • Jon SedaChris Perez
    • Edward James OlmosAbraham Quintanilla
    • Jacob VargasA. B. Quintanilla
    • Pete AstudilloSelf - Dinos 1990's
    • Rueben GonzálesJoe Ojeda - Dinos 1990's
    • Ricky VelaSelf - Dinos 1990's

    Recommendations

    • 90

      L.A. Weekly

      For all its simplicity, however, the film is entertaining, even uplifting, with Lopez giving a stellar, confectionary performance.
    • 88

      Chicago Sun-Times

      Selena succeeds, through Lopez's performance, in evoking the magic of a sweet and talented young woman.
    • 88

      ReelViews

      This is a simple story of hope and triumph, of one girl with the drive to succeed defying the odds and following her dream. It's not an original tale -- movies like this abound -- but Nava's point-of-view is fresh.
    • 80

      Los Angeles Times

      Selena is in part a completely predictable Latino soap opera that should satisfy those who complain they aren't making movies like they like used to.
    • 70

      The New York Times

      On its own good-natured terms, Selena' is both pleasant to watch and instructive in familiarizing a movie audience with the Texan-Mexican borderland music known as Tejano.
    • 50

      Christian Science Monitor

      The dialogue swings between platitudes and clichés, but the acting is lively and the music will set even lazy toes tapping.
    • 50

      Slate

      The new movie of Selena's life ponderously carves each element of the myth in stone, as if this 23-year-old were a bust to be included on Mount Rushmore.
    • 50

      Austin Chronicle

      Unfortunately, for all his large soul and exquisite mastery of image, Nava is also one of the worst writers to ever accrue more than two major-movie screenwriting credits.

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