MovieChat Forums > La Bamba (1987) Discussion > Valens-Phillips...zer o resemblence

Valens-Phillips...zer o resemblence

posted 17 years ago by raidergrey
20 replies | jump to latest

When these biopics of famous singers hit the big screen, I know that casting directors and producers do their best to find an actor that physically resembles the actual performer.
In some instances they do such a good job that the resemblance is uncanny...Ray, the Doors, the Buddy Holly Story
In other instances they do an OK job...Walk the Line, Great Balls of Fire
In the instance of La Bamba...THE MOVIE RITCHIE VALENS BEARS ABSOLUTELY NO RESEMBLANCE TO THE REAL RITCHIE VALENS!!!
I thought Phillips' casting was a poor choice. While the movie was entertaining, Phillips looked nothing like Valens and unlike Phoenix and Quaid in Walk the Line and Great Balls of Fire, he didn't even have the mannerisms down.

[–] texasturkey 16 years ago

That is right. Ironically Lou Diamond Phillips is older than Esai Morales. Also, when they first auditioned, Esai read for Ritchie. Lou read for Bob. The producers decided to reverse the roles. Each actor played the other part.

[–] MSStMarie 16 years ago

Esai doesn't look like Valens either.

They should have cast my ex-brother in law.

He's the spitting image of Ritchie...although I'm sure he can't act. LOL

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Aagh; you're a HEDGE!

[–] senorjuez 16 years ago

In casting the part, there were several factors that had to be taken into consideration, such as musical ability and stage presence as well as acting. I agree that Lou Diamond Phillips does not look like Ritchie Valens, but the Valenzuela family had quite a bit of creative input into the making of the film, so maybe they felt that Phillips was the best choice. The audition pool may not have been very deep for this part considering it was made in 1987, whereas if the film were being made today, casting directors would have more actors to choose from. So who would you choose to play Ritchie?

[–] lostboytx 16 years ago

I think a big factor in casting was that Ritchie's image wasn't (and still isn't) as recognizable as some others. I mean, most people would be able to identify Morrison or Holly. But how many people could name Valens if they saw a picture of him? And if you ever saw the footage of Ritchie performing in "Go, Johnny, Go", his performance wasn't very "Hollywood". So, naturally, they had to spice it up. I don't think it's all that important anyway. The film makers wanted to tell his story, not re-make his life.

[–] rharrigfeld124 14 years ago

raidergrey, Dude, IT'S A MOVIE!!! You're not going to get someone who perfectly matches the person. Use some common sense and get over it!!!

[–] Lifeguardfan 14 years ago

I didn't think Gary Busey looked like Buddy Holly at all!

[–] Decimator66 14 years ago

i agree, Gary Busey and his huge teeth self was a terrible choice for Buddy Holly

[–] cremefresche 14 years ago

True!! Gary Busey is ugly as hell!!..Marshall Crenshaw looked way more the part for Buddy Holly..This film got it's casting right!! ;) Lou Diamond Phillips did resemble Ritchie people!! What do you want an exact clone or something?? Get over it!!

[–] slimone (7996) 5 years ago

You got it right!!

[–] savagesteve13 14 years ago

Only later in his career has his presence in a movie been an automatic "jump the shark".

[–] texasturkey 13 years ago

I will never get over this. Of all the Mexican actors and musicians that could have been shown the script or auditioned, why a Filipino who looked nothing like Ritchie Valens? He was a lot thinner than Ritchie and had completely different mannerisms. Yes, at the time in '87, many people were not familiar with how Ritchie Valens looked because he only had an 8 month career. But after the movie was released, old pictures of Ritchie Valens began appearing, and people were like you've got to be kidding! Not a good cast choice at all.

[–] senorjuez 13 years ago

Trying to think back on other actors at the time that possibly resembled Ritchie and my mind is completely blank. If they remade the film now, there would be a lot more actors to choose from.

[–] vicky_lc2001 (1907) 7 years ago

The family chose him that's why and LDP is an underrated actor actually.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] happy_accidents 12 years ago

A lot of posters are saying that there weren't many actors that could have played him and I agree that there weren't many BIG name actors but I'm sure there were many talented "local" actors who could have been discovered and who better resembled Ritchie Valens. It just gives the story more integrity and accuracy; not to mention makes it more entertaining to watch. I like Lou D Phillips just not as Ritchie Valens.