Tell Us What You Thought of El Cantante

by Latin Gossip Staff on 08.05.2007 - Listed under Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony

el cantante.jpg We haven’t had a chance to watch El Cantante yet…did you? Did you like it or hate it? Share your thoughts on the film…

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24 Responses to “Tell Us What You Thought of El Cantante”

kira wrote:

OMG I LOVED this movie even more than I ever expected. Its really amazing, and Jennifer’s acting was really really great. the movie sold out all day. When I arrived at 10pm for the 11pm screening, thinking I’d be so early, the line was already out of the theater and down the street! The people who had gotten into the 8.30 screening came out at 10.30 and they told us the movie was excellent and they were all talking excitedly about it, so I couldnt wait. They finally let us into the screening and there was a huge crush as everyone pushed and shoved to get into the theatre. I was determined not to have to sit in the front row despite arriving an hour early so I might have shoved someone out of the way to get seats in the middle for my bf

08.05.2007 | 1:28 pm | Link
Pedro wrote:

¡qué horror! o sea total bomb…the film didnt do any justice to the late singer instead focused on the negative of the singers drug use…. and again dont understand why in the hell the movie was done in ENGLISH!!!

08.05.2007 | 2:28 pm | Link
Grace wrote:

No lo vi y no lo pienso ver…..

08.05.2007 | 2:47 pm | Link
Heather wrote:

It was GREAT. Very moving.

08.05.2007 | 4:05 pm | Link
terri wrote:

I’ve seen it 4 times!!!! Absolutely loved it. This is by far Jennifer’s best movie. Marc was awesome too.

08.05.2007 | 6:17 pm | Link
RicanPoeta wrote:

I LOVED it. The acting, the music, the clothes, the 70 & 80’s salsa club scene, the furniture and decoration of the time, everything was like it was before. This movie is about a great singer that becomes a heavy duty drug addict. Back in the time on concerts and TV everybody saw that he was high and could hardly talk. You can’t make a fairy tale out of a drug addict’s life. It’s also a movie and movies can’t be 100% accurate, they are an artistic expression of the truth. If you haven’t seen it, GO, the movie has passion, I was very moved by it.

08.05.2007 | 6:43 pm | Link
Marita wrote:

Triple love it!!! Mark Anthony is not only a good singer, but a great actor as well as JLo. Really good movie.

08.05.2007 | 9:54 pm | Link
John wrote:

I LOVED IT! JLO WAS GREAT. I DONT CARE IF IT TELLS THE TRUTH 100% .. IT WAS GOOD MOVIE. BUT IT DID FOCUS MAINLY OF THE NEGATIVES SURROUNDING HECTOR. IM SURE HE HAD POSTIVES TOO.. AND DAMN THE WHOLE FAMILY DIED?

08.05.2007 | 11:45 pm | Link
madelina wrote:

We saw “El Cantante” the first night it opened, after a 70 mile drive one-way. Can’t wait to see it again! It’s a very, very good film. The music is gorgeous and Marc Anthony captures the charm, artistry, and sound of Hector Lavoe the singer. He also gives a subtle and believable performance as the off-stage Hector Perez, an introverted man desperate to escape private demons and an increasingly tragic reality. Marc and Jennifer, his wife, make a terrific team, proving all the know-nothings wrong - and are they caliente!

I agree with a number of reviews that describe Jennifer Lopez’s acting here as “fearless”. Most actors would be afraid to play “Puchi” so honestly: easier to soften those edges so she’s likable and “cute” — but Puchi was no June Carter-Cash, lol.

My only suggestion is that I would have appreciated a little more of a peak into Hector’s early years. Perhaps that was part of the re-editing the film went through, following its purchase by Picturehouse at the Toronto Film Festival last fall.

08.06.2007 | 2:50 am | Link
Latindaddy wrote:

I seen it at the HBO NY International Latino Film Festival and Im not the biggest jlo fan when it comes to acting. So i was on guard and waiting to see how she would do. I guess thats the best way to measure a movie when you already have some pre judgements, and I must say she did her thing. Jlo really hit some key scenes as an actress, Mark, forget it, the sense of humor, he was great. Overall you can tell that the movie was edited down, so it went really fast in the beginning and you couldnt capture or grasp certain moments in his life, but as it went to the middle of the movie the flow was great and the concert moments were amazing. You take this movie for what it is. Entertaining and the music was awesome. I recommend to see El cantante!

08.06.2007 | 9:22 am | Link
jewelz wrote:

I really enjoyed this movie. The plot seemed like a typical story but you know it was the first movie to talk about a “latino” having a drug addiction. I was very impresssed with JLo and she did very well acting and producing this film. Marc, was excellent and his singing is just amazing. I especially liked the detail put into this movie, such as the makeup, clothing and especially the music. You know people only want to see the good and the glam but reality is what makes its mark. Good job two them both and I will for sure add this movie to my collection.

08.06.2007 | 9:49 am | Link
Gian wrote:

I THINK THE MOVIE WAS REALLY GOOD, BUT THE FACT THAT JENNIFER PLAYED PUCHI, MADE IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SHE WAS ACTUALLY PUCHI, I FELT LIKE I WAS SEEING JLO BEING HERSELF INSTEAD OF PLAYING A CHARACTER… IF THEY HAD CHOSEN ANOTHER ACTRESS NON-POPULAR, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH BETTER.
I THINK JLO NEEDS A BREAKS, THAT WILL DO GOOD AT HER IMAGE BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE IS SATURATED BY HER WHOLE PERSONA.
GOOD MOVIE INDEED, AND MARC IS THE BEST.

08.06.2007 | 10:05 am | Link
Acilegna wrote:

It was a great film!!! Entertaining, moving, funny!!! PLAIN GOOD!!!
Some complain that it’s too much of a negative image on Hector but PEOPLE gotta remember that this is based on the interview PUCHI gave a few years ago…. and it’s supposed to reflect the TRUTH behind all the glamour and the fame!!!
The light on the life of Lavoe and Puchi as a couple, as a family…. as dysfunctional as it might seem!!!

IT WAS A GREAT MOVIE!!!

Note: NOT A BIG FAN OF EITHER OF THEM SO I SWEAR MY COMMENTS ARE NOT BIASED!!!

08.06.2007 | 10:23 am | Link
Susana wrote:

I LOVED IT! The movie was incredible… Jennifer Lopez played an awesome character and displayed her acting skills greately! I think that there is nobody else that could have portrayed Hector Lavoe better than Marc Anthony. He acted with passion, professionalism and a great repect for Hectr Lavoe and a the same time reflected reality. I would recommend this movie to everybody!!!

08.06.2007 | 10:42 am | Link
Alfredo wrote:

I went to the theatre expecting terrible things. But I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This is Jennifer’s best performance since “Out of Sight”. It’s been a while since she showed to the world that she is capable of a carefully studied portrayal. This is no “Maid in Manhattan”. And Marc was fantastic on the musical numbers and did well with the little we could see of his portrayal of Hector. Which brings me to the biggest flaw the movie has. When it comes to Hector, the movie falls short. There is no insight on how he grew as a musical legend or on why he was an addict. It was more about Puchi and how she dealt with his fame and misfortunes. Which is a valid point of view, by the way. Just not for the first movie made on the life of Hector Lavoe. It should’ve been his story.

I do recommend it, however. For the music, for J-Lo’s performance and because it is really great to see our stories on the big screen.

08.06.2007 | 11:44 am | Link
Ilovelatingossip wrote:

Wow, maybe I should see this movie. JLo forever!

08.06.2007 | 2:29 pm | Link
Roxy wrote:

As we all know Marc is a great singer, so expect great music and a desire to get up and dance! Just like many I was also not expecting that great of a performance from Jennifer but I had to see it for myself, and I was impressed! She did great in this movie, I really enjoyed the film, I recommend it!

08.06.2007 | 2:31 pm | Link
Chino wrote:

It lacked substance but the music was awesome. The best part of the film were the cameos: Victor Manuelle, Obie Bermudez, Domingo Quiñones, Cucu Diamantes (Yerba Buena) and more. That was the only redeeming quality to this lackluster effort.

08.06.2007 | 5:08 pm | Link
Gabe's Wife wrote:

Wow. I must have seen a different movie than you all did because I thought it was terrible. Okay, wait, the music was great. The costumes were point on. Marc did a pretty good job trying to act (although I think he over acted in some parts). But mostly I left the theater wishing I had followed my gut to stay home. To me, Jennifer is not and never has been a great actress. She was just ok. As usual nothing stood out. The story was a bit empty. Parts dragged. I swear, if it weren’t for the music, I probably would have fallen asleep. I think this movie could have had more potential with different actors and a bit of a better story. Just my opinion.

08.06.2007 | 5:50 pm | Link
Carol wrote:

Esperaba algo mejor que en realidad le hiciera justicia a la legenda que es y siempre sera Hector Lavoe. Ademas todo el mundo sabe que esa relacion fue enfermiza, Puchi llamo a Hector estando el en puerto rico en el bautizo de su hijo para decirle que estaba embarazada no fue como lo ponen en la pelicula, el de hecho le habia pedido a la madre de su primer hijo que se fuera a vivir con el y ella fue la que no quiso. Puchi fue muy culpable del vicio de Hector porque a ella tambien le convenia que el consumiera y siguiera cantando para seguir haciendo dinero y ella tuviera buena vida. La pelicula no muerta los muchos intentos de Hector de reabilitarze que incluian viajes a puerto rico y desaparecerse hasta por dos años de la misma Puchi. Pero claro tuvieron que canonizar a Puchi para que Jennifer la pudiera interpretar. Ella siempre humillo a Hector en publico y no le importaba si el estaba mal o deprimido ella misma le conseguia las drogas para que el cantara y se presentara. Mark es un excelente cantante y los arreglos del soundtrack gracias a Willi Colon son muy buenos pero de ahi a que la pelicula le haga honor a Hector I don’t think so. Muchas cosas quedaron por fuera hubiera sido mejor enfocarse en Hector solo no tenian porque involucrar a Puchi solo para que Jennifer estubiera en la pelicula.

08.07.2007 | 12:04 pm | Link
JP wrote:

If I’m not mistaken, didn’t Puchi help write the movie? And is it true that Puchi herself asked for Jennifer to play her? If that’s true, then of course she (Puchi) is gonna focus on herself and paint herself in a better light than him. Come on now. LOL Guess this is why his daughter did not back this film, because of the way it portrayed her dad and left out quite a bit about him as a person.

If you asked my sister to write a movie about her ex husband (rest in peace) he would come across as the devil. But if you asked his kids, he would come across as the most loving person. The representation of someone often depends on who is telling the story and the relationships / experiences the person telling the story had with that person.

One of the many criticisms I have seen from English movie reviewers is exactly what some people have mentioned on here - that the movie leaves alot of unanswered questions, so to speak, about Hector. To those of us who know his career and were fans of him, we understand certain things in the movie.

One reviewer said that when they showed the funeral scene it was obvious that thousands came out to celebrate him, but you never really know why. See, all they’re focusing on is the negative part of him so to them it’s like ok why is everyone going nuts cuz some drug addict died.

And I guess that’s the messed up part, so to speak – that non Latin people that see the movie will get this very negative view of him when there is so much more to him and why he was so loved by the Latin community.

08.07.2007 | 2:29 pm | Link
Nina wrote:

Gian, you are right on target. Saw a clip of them on THE VIEW. JLO was not acting. She was her usual self, when she reverts to her thug way of talking and head bobbing like she did in the bronx and in interviews. She can do her thing, act sexy, like a slut type, no acting for her. Comes naturally, and I dont believe Puchi contacted JLo to do the movie. UH UH> Jlo is known to be sweet yes, but also manipulative and cold. Manipulated her way to do that movie and not fair to inlude only negatives about any person. WE all have some postives. Marc made the movie as he is natural singer and performer. JLo stilll thinks she is actress and singer. (talented) Her multi millions gets her places but some day-we all grow older, or money loses the magic. It gives her power to buy and wea expeinsive beautiiful clothes and get on Alist invites. Voted no 1 best female dresser. Angelina Jollie was number2. Well Angelina, unlike JLO donates one third of her money to charity.=Jlo blows it on clothes, different iimages, and what she wants public to think about her. Wonder is she donates to her music teacher sister and nieces? Think JLO has some resentments or grudges against her. Sad when family member well todo-wont forgive.

08.10.2007 | 3:32 am | Link
mamacita wrote:

Let’s get this out of the way - I’m a huge Jennifer and Marc fan so seeing this movie was a complete must. I live up in Canada and had to drive two hours south to see it, but I truly believe it was worth it. There were only about 6 other people at my show, but I was in an area that doesn’t have a large Latin community. I went into it having read all the horrible reviews but with an open moment. And let me tell you, from the first scene to the last, you are taken on this crazy roller coaster of emotions. This movie makes you want to laugh, to cry, to dance, to sing and to snort a few lines of coke in the bathroom. Marc proves that he is the actor that we all know he is and this is Jennifer’s best work since Selena. My friend who knew nothing about it going into the movie told me that he loved it and it was “pretty damn good”. Some are accusing this movie of focusing only on the drug-related side of Hector’s life - but really, drugs took over his life, there wasn’t much left of him in the end.

Now I only wish that more people will watch it. Picturehouse (the distributor) decided to only show it in 542 theatres its first weekend and it made over 3.2 million while Lindsay Lohan’s newest bomb barely made that and it was showing in twice as many theatres. I hope Marc and Jennifer are recognized for their performances - they deserve a chance!

08.13.2007 | 12:11 am | Link
Cariño wrote:

LOVED IT! Great movie. I think if the name had not been in Spanish though, it would of had a better turn out.

I also think the criticisms of how it focused on the drugs, and not the “struggle” with the music industry, is just the sad truth about the public. We don’t care about that struggle - we care about emotions, about drama, about love, about pain. That made the movie, and also for me, made so many of his lyrics make that much more sense now.

J-Lo also needs to get nominated for something for her role as Puchi - she was great!

P.S. Can’t wait to see how La India’s version comes out.

08.22.2007 | 11:43 pm | Link

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Tell Us What You Thought of El Cantante

24 Responses to “Tell Us What You Thought of El Cantante”

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