Quien a visto " El Cantante'

[Sonambulo]

El Cantante is worthy of an Oscar. At least when compared with the movies that have won, I think it has just as much merit. Now the ugly: I never liked JLO; I thought she was as real as plastic and her acting basically sucked. I went to see this movie with low expectations but I tried to keep and open mind. Lo and behold I was very pleasantly surprised. JLO can act it turns out. [Yes the part was tailor made - which is the case in many movies- but the girl was very credible], but JLO was very good. Mark Anthony was, as in past performances, EXCELLENT. [This man is truly a multi talent].

We have to keep in mind, that when you make a “cultural” movie, that is, a movie of limited interest and featuring “minorities”, you have to make the movie interesting enough that anglos are going to get it. [The movie barely does this, but any learned and perceptive person can get the general flow of what is going on and still walk away with a significant impression]. The movie could not be made into an AUTOBIOGRAPHY, actually for those of you who want to see it, go to YOUTUBE.COM and type in HECTOR LAVOE, there is an excellent 6 part autobiography featuring a litany of well known salseros, and of course, Hectors family and friends.

The movie, in my opinion, also had an ANTI DRUG message. You see the destructive spiral that a person experiences when they get hooked on heroin, and you see it up close and personal. The scene in “La Perla” was definitely memorable.

The movie is also about an incredible singer, named Hector Perez, [at least for those of us who are salsa consumers], and how he rose to fame with his amazing voice, talent, and charisma.

As for Puchi, sure she was portrayed as a tramp and gold digger, that is part of the merchandising of the movie. Nonetheless, it was definitely entertaining, and that Iris Chacon scene was pretty funny. By the way, they do not mention, that Puchi had a daughter.

A lot more could have been said or done, like expanding Jerry Massucci’s role and letting the public know what a crook he was and how Ruben Blades sued him for this, but then the plot would have gotten too convuluted. Suffice to say that this is a must have movie for any serious movie collector. I cant wait to buy my copy.

[MissNilsa]

I totally respect everyone's different opinions here, whether the liked the film or not. I do agree that jennifer was in all of the scenes which was a bit narcesistic on her part but that is just who she is.

However, in terms of the acting, it wasn't hard for either of them because those roles are who they are as people..... as nuyoricans. All nuyorican's can identify with that attitude and stylo.

The thing that gets to me is that I lived those times in the 70s when lavoe was coming up and the heroine was big big big. I believe the film was interpreted the way that they lived their lives. I understand that people wanted to see more of hector performing but the truth is.... it would not have been a drama, what people seem to be wanting is a musical more than anything. but the story about the man himself, unfortunately, although his music still touches all of us and we love the music and his ability to stand for his own manhood and what he believed in -- at the same time he was a junkie. He was a heroine junkie who needed to wake up for the next fix in order to get straight. Don't know if anyone here has ever been exposed to a junkie?

Let me tell you they will say to their mother, "Mami, te quiero pero you have to give me your last ten dollars or I'm gonna have to knock you down and take it from you."

they can't help it. The body hurts like hell and they live for the drug; they are loving to people but they live for the drug. You guys should go to youtube and pull up some of his latter performances, and you see where he starts to get disrespectful toward people and toward musicians that helped him to become who he became. I saw one where he is talking during a trombone player's session and he goes..... "ese si que es bueno, y no es Willie....."

that wasn't Hector talking, it was the heroine.... he belonged to the dope and people who didn't want to see that; are in a little bit of denial, i think.

anyway, my thoughts in piece people.

warm regards,
/n.

[MissNilsa]

Hi Sonambulo:

Your post is very interesting: especially the parts that I highlighted below. I'm curious, was puchi's daughter also hector's daughter? did hector have a daughter at all? i know about both boys, carmen's and then the kid that died (puchi's kid) but I am wondering if that girl that is on YOUTUBE is also hector's daughter or just puchi. and this jerry massucci, who was he? the fania guy who wanted hector to change his name? ruben sued him for what?

you got my head spinning. sorry for all the questions! LOL

As for Puchi, sure she was portrayed as a tramp and gold digger, that is part of the merchandising of the movie. Nonetheless, it was definitely entertaining, and that Iris Chacon scene was pretty funny. By the way, they do not mention, that Puchi had a daughter.

A lot more could have been said or done, like expanding Jerry Massucci’s role and letting the public know what a crook he was and how Ruben Blades sued him for this, but then the plot would have gotten too convuluted. Suffice to say that this is a must have movie for any serious movie collector. I cant wait to buy my copy.[/quote]

[MissNilsa]

you should be very proud! i lived it myself and i'm with you on the goosebumps.

Originally Posted by TipoConSuerte

Depending on your point of view, I was either fortunate, or unfortunate to have lived in that era. See, like many, I was one of those Boricuas who flowed to and fro between Puerto Rico and New York City precisely during the Fania revolution; just another wave in the sea of Boricuas with one foot on the island, and another in the Big Apple. The experince dug deep, and the salsa explosion – particularly that of the Fania All Stars – ran thru my veins. I loved it!

My daughters took me to see the film this week. I felt goose bumps throughout most of the movie. I recalled the one night when – at the age of 17 – I personally witnessed Pete El Conde Rodriguez stumble out of a white Cadillac as he made his way into a Bronx liquor store.

After the movie, I told my daughters about those I lost during those years; the ones who succumed to the drug abuse of the times. Fortunately, I was not one of them.

“El Cantante?” TWO BIG THUMBS UP!!! WAY UP!!!

“…vamos cantante comienza…”

TCS

[Sonambulo]

I cannot recall Nilsa's daughters name, I read it in an article on the internet. I dont know specifically why Ruben Blades sued Jerry Massucci, but it had to do with money, presumably, Jerry was ripping Ruben off. [Like I said he had a reputation of being a crook- I read another article where even Larry Harlow, who worked with him from the beginning says this]. I saved the article in my desktop computer, I will try to get you the URL so that you can check it out. [This post comes from my laptop].

Massucci is an EX COP turned lawyer, who with Johnny Pacheco started Fania Records in the early 60s. Massucci died a few years ago, Pacheco is still around, but the Fania Holdings were sold to a Miami Corporation, I believe the name of the company is Emusic. [They have a website]. Pacheco still produces and less than before, still performs. [Pacheco also has a website].

Saludos from central jersey.

[Sonambulo]

This is a chronology of Hectors Life:

Héctor Lavoe - Salsero del mes - Latinastereo.com CLICK ON THIS IT IS A LINK.

If for some reason the above link does not work, go to latinastereo.com, click on gente latina, look for hector lavoe and you will find the interesting article.

Puchi's daughter's name is Leslie and Hector adopted her.

This is an excellent site as well.

I'll research the Ruben Blades lawsuit and see what I can find out.

Hablamos pronto.

[RPR]

For those interested, here is a trailer of the other Hector Lavoe Movie:

YouTube - The Singer - Raúl Carbonell as Héctor Lavoe