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If anyone knows how to create a media frenzy, it’s Jennifer Lopez. From her many relationships to her infamously diva-like demands to the is-she-or-isn’t-she? pregnancy rumors, gossip mags love talking about J-Lo. Ten years ago, though, Jennifer Lopez was just another fledgling actress—until she won the title role in Selena, and it made her a superstar.
In Selena, Lopez stars as Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the Grammy-winning Mexican-American singer whose life was cut short by a trusted employee and friend. The film, which was closely controlled by Selena’s family, is meant to be a celebration of the star’s life—so it focuses not on her death but on her childhood and her rise to fame.
Selena (played as a child by Rebecca Lee Meza) was just nine years old when her father, Abraham (Edward James Olmos), discovered her talent. A former band member, Abraham, was eager to pass on his love of music to his children, so he bought a bunch of second-hand instruments and taught his kids to play.
As the Quintanilla family faces bankruptcy and other hardships, they stick to their music. Years later, they find themselves traveling together from show to show, playing for bigger and bigger crowds. And as Selena’s fame grows, she finds herself falling in love with her guitarist—despite her father’s disapproval.
Although I knew very little about Selena before watching this biopic, I found that the story was captivating enough to easily hold my interest for more than two hours. While telling the story of the singer’s life, it also offers some interesting insights about music, dedication, love, and family. And though it occasionally has a made-for-TV feel to it (especially in the beginning), the story and the talented performers who bring it to life make up for it.
Despite the fact that Selena’s family worked closely with writer/director Gregory Nava, it’s surprisingly honest—and it’s not as sentimental as it could have been. The story’s greatest glitch is its conclusion, which comes to an abrupt halt. While I realize that the family wanted to focus on Selena’s life—and not her death—the end still feels rushed, as if they wanted to just brush her death aside. At that point, the film could have used a little more directorial control.
Still, Lopez is lovable as Selena. She’s cute and energetic, and she’s a great performer. From her performance in this role, it’s no surprise that she’s gone on to be the celebrity that she is today. And I still believe that she has talent as an actress—despite the terrible roles she’s taken on. Her role in Selena, however, is anything but terrible—and she’s surrounded by a handful of talented artists who only make her even better.
The 10th Anniversary Two-Disc Special Edition DVD of Selena includes two versions of the film—the original theatrical version and the extended version (which is only seven minutes longer). It also features two features about Selena and the making of the movie—both of which feature interviews with family, friends, and cast members. They give viewers a little more insight into Selena’s life—and they show just how accurate the film’s details are, from the costumes to the choreography.
Selena’s fans, of course, won’t want to miss this new special edition DVD. But even if you know very little about her, you’ll still find her story interesting.
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