This past Sunday I went to see the film El Cantante that I had been anxiously awaiting (in giddy expectation) for over a year to see.
First of all I must express my utter disgust in the fact that yet another biopic portraying a Puerto Rican artist was not offered to the viewing public here on Staten Island (the first was Pinero, about the Nuyorican Poet Miguel Pinero, one of the founding fathers of the famous Nuyorican Poet's Cafe').
After rushing to what I was sure would be a sold out performance to Regal Cinemas at Union Square I found myself with my pre-requisite meduim popcorn and soda sitting in a half-empty theater.
Where were all the Boricuas that swore they were going to support the film?!? Where were all the non-Latinos who loved not only Hector LaVoe's music, but the genre of Latin music as a whole?!?
So... frustrated I sat..... then the film began......
In the film, Hector's story, as told from his wife's point of view, focused more on Jennifer Lopez' portrayal of Puchi, Hector's wife, with annoyingly frequent shots and closeups of J-Lo.
I am a HUGE fan of Marc Anthony's and I know he does possess capable acting chops but Hector's trubulent life, filled with tremedous talent, success, personal tradgedy and the pitfalls of drug use although chronicled, lacked character development in the film. If you weren't already a fan of Hector's music you wouldn't understand how people felt connected to him by the film's superficial portrayal of his life.
The film's cinematography was very choppy, a la music video, and only added to a feeling of being disconnected to the main character.
I was also truly disappointed that more of his music wasn't showcased in the film.
Domingo Quinonnes, who portrayed Hector in the play 'Quien Mato a Hector LaVoe?' (and played a cameo role in the film), would have been the ideal choice for the lead role but it was ultimately a vehicle for J-Lo and hubby.... and sadly.... that's exactly how it came across.
BUT.... in the end, I was still proud that a major release film about a fellow Boricua and artist hit the big screen.... and.... in true Puerto Rican fashion.... just like when the plane lands in San Juan..... the Boricuas broke out in thunderous applause.......