Selena

Selena (1997) tells the life of Selena Quintanilla, the Tejano singer murdered in 1995 at twenty three. The film was made only two years later, with her family directly involved. This is the film that made Jennifer Lopez a star. Until then she was a dancer and a supporting player. Everything changed here. The concert sequences are the strongest part of the film, and Lopez is not singing: Selena's own recordings are used. The story starts in Texas. Her father Abraham recognises her talent early, the family band forms, small venues turn into stadiums. Falling for her guitarist Chris Perez and the conflict with her father form the second thread. The family's involvement cuts both ways. The period and the experience of being Mexican American, at home in neither country, are conveyed very well. The difficult material is smoothed over, and her death is not shown, only implied. Good for: music biopics, Latin American culture, and nineties Hollywood drama. Fine with family. Less good for: anyone wanting a critical portrait. This is a tribute and it never pretends to be anything else.