Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.
Directed by Luis Valdez
rock 'n' roll
biography
death
dying young
nostalgic
mexican american
marital rape
1950s
romantic
Rank
#12 in 1987·#1264 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.6 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Lou Diamond Phillips
Ritchie Valens
Danielle von Zerneck
Donna Ludwig
Elizabeth Peña
Rosie Morales
Rosanna DeSoto
Connie Valenzuela
Esai Morales
Bob Morales
Joe Pantoliano
Bob Keane
Brian Setzer
Eddie Cochran
Mike Moroff
Mexican Ed
Sam Anderson
Mr. Ludwig
Stephen Lee
Big Bopper
John Quade
Bartender
Noble Willingham
Howard
Crew
Luis Valdez
Director
Luis Valdez
Writer
Miles Goodman
Original Music Composer
Carlos Santana
Original Music Composer
Adam Greenberg
Director of Photography
Taylor Hackford
Producer
Bill Borden
Producer
Josh King
Location Manager
Rosemary Brandenburg
Set Decoration
Kerry Lyn McKissick
Script Supervisor
Junie Lowry-Johnson
Casting
Ronnie Rondell Jr.
Stunt Coordinator
Popular Reviews
332 reviews
Nate Doogg
8.4★ · 05/16/26
good music biopic overall and ending was pretty sad.
good music biopic overall and ending was pretty sad.
Joe NovielliPRO
10.0★ · 05/29/26
the exact formula for a musician biopic. incredible.
the exact formula for a musician biopic. incredible.
Aidan GatelyPRO
7.0★ · 05/22/26
A great musical biopic that was really well paced. The minute you see buddy holly you know what’s about happen and it’s till sad. Rip.
A great musical biopic that was really well paced. The minute you see buddy holly you know what’s about happen and it’s till sad. Rip.
