El CantanteMovie Reviews

Gifts + Promos

Give the gift of movies with Fandango Bucks Gift Certificates! Design your own gift card, or choose from our collection.

Superhero fans! Don’t miss out on these Limited Edition Avengers gift cards!

Need Help?

Review This Movie

Go Based on 4,083 reviews
Breakdown:

Sort by: Helpfulness
Review Date

Must Go!
Written August 21, 2007
EL CANTANTE

by Da Flash

The acting is great - a lot more than you would expect from Jennifer Lopez. What a performance!! And Marc Anthony is a pleasant surprise. But the music!!!! WOW. For any fan of salsa and for those who have no idea what this music is and how it stormed through New York and the nation in the 1970's and 1980's, fasten your seat belts for the ride of your life. We were enthralled. We had no idea what to expect - the picture opened and took off like a rocket. Absolutely, see it.
- 18 out of 20 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written August 6, 2007
Jennifer Lopez - Oscar worthy performance

by HilaryS

I saw this film yesterday and I was not that exited to see it but i changed my mind now... this is a great movie filled up with great music. but what i never could think that Jennifer lopez could act like that... she did a great performance and I think that she deserves an Oscar. Marc did a great job too but not that good as Jlo. I rate this movie 5 stars out of 5. One of the best films so far this year.
- 15 out of 15 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written August 3, 2007
Perfect

by Barbq14307

They absolutely did a wonderful job telling the story of Hector Lavoe. It was well portrayed. I felt absorbed by the movie.
- 10 out of 10 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written August 3, 2007
Salsa Lives

by neldy

Having lived the Hector Lavoe era I was quite impressed with the movie. I was taken back to the days of wonderful salsa nights,passion and true Salsa spirit. I forgot I was watching Jennifer and Marc Anthony. I was taken back to that incredible unforgettable time in our lives that will never come back. This this our time and thanks to JLO and Marc for bring this gift to us. May the bring back a rebirth of that great era. Young Latinos need to know this history. Drugs and all, all I saw was a great irreplacible talent.......Thank you Jennifer and Marc. Best to both of you. What is next for the NUYORICAN Productions.... I can't wait.
- 11 out of 12 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written August 3, 2007
EL CANTANTE "GRAMMY AWARD FOR THIS MOVIE"

by D3LYNNR

This movie was excellent it tells the story of Hector (Perez) Lavoe to the tee. Jennifer Lopez was the greatest in explaining the documentry of Hector's life and her acting I love it. Marc Anthony was greatest in everything in this movie as well as all the songs he sang just like Hector. I have seen this twice and would see again and again. I also went to the Pre-Screening and and it was excellent event, I enjoyed every bit of it at Cipriani's. They should definitely received an "Acadamy Award" or "Grammy Award" for this movie. I loved everyone in this movie they were all great. Also, my nephew played Tito very short a brief part the 7Yr old. PS:Marc and Jennifer you are a Great Couple, I love you both. EXCELLENT MOVIE
- 10 out of 11 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written August 3, 2007
El Cantante

by angiew

This movie was so good. Im so happy that we wacth it. thanks Marc and Jlo for making this beariful real history that only Marc can do it so good.
- 9 out of 10 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written August 8, 2007
El Cantante

by Latina Chica

Must see movie for all who partied to this music. I grew up listening and dancing to the nusic. It was not only entertaining, but it was educational at the same time. It was sad to see that drug addiction can consume and destroy lives. I always did wonder what happened to Hector Lavoe and the Fania All Stars. The music has been and still is a part of our culture.
- 11 out of 14 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Written August 3, 2007
El Cantante

by mamatita

I was so moved by the whole movie. First because it told the sad story of what drugs did not only to one of the best salsa singers of all times but also paid a tribute to others who died with that same "demonio" on their back i.e. Frankie Ruiz etc.. Second, Marc Anthony and JLo showed what passion really is on screen!!! Last but not least, the music was totally outstanding!! As Latinos we should be proud to see more Latin films coming to the big screen however, the sad part is that in a city like Chicago that is full of Latinos they have the "Big weekend boxoffice" showing in ONE fricken theatre in "carajo viejo" literally 40 miles away!!!!!!!!! We need to continue to support Latino films no matter how hard they try to "show" how low the numbers were for the first weekend!!! Latinos lets "raise up" and support this film and not to mention the CD that is going to be one of the best soundtracks ever!!! Viva la raza Latino!!!!! Lady T
- 8 out of 8 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Go
Written August 10, 2007
&amp;quot;Norby's Review&amp;quot;

by norbs414

This movie reminded how great salsa was back in the day. If you are an old school salsa lover and are a big fan of both Hector Lavoe and Marc Anthony - go see it! This movie is perfect for the new generation who haven't a clue as to what salsa meant to the Puerto Rican race back in the day; which was also considered the new sound of hispanic music. Both Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony played a great roll; however, Hector Lavoe's drug addiction was emphasized mainly in the movie but not how he touched the lives of millions with his music. All in all I give this movie two thumbs up for a great performance by both Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. Norberto!
- 7 out of 7 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written August 9, 2007
DO NOT DIGNIFY THE BAD REVIEWS BY CRITICS! GO SEE IT! OUTSTANDING!

by dondiego8864

I was moved by the this entire film. Director Leon Ichaso did a tremendous job at bringing the viewer into the film, the era, the acting... It was warm, heart wrenching, powerful, and highly entertaining. At times it felt as if you were in a mini-FANIA ALL STAR SALSA concert. Marc Antony is phenomenally talented on all counts; singing and acting! And Jennifer? This had to be one of, if not the best acting performance she's delivered-ever! She was riveting, funny, and powerfully dramatic. The CRITICS who trashed the film have no clue what the true value and meaning of the film means for Latino's, particularly Nuyoricans who lived in the Lavoe era and in the 70's. If you are a Boriqua, it would be criminal not to see it. If you are not Puerto Rican you would be a richer person for seeing it, because you would be exposing yourself to a beautiful culture of music despite the reality of the tragedies it needs to portray. It was real, honest, endearing, and powerful. GO SEE IT!
- 10 out of 13 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written August 6, 2007
Great

by marisolhserrano

I think the movie was a great tribute to Hector Lavoe, and would recommend it to everyone. I thought that they both did an awesome job acting out these individuals. They should get an Oscar. It was GREAT!!!!!!!
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Go
Written August 4, 2007
"El Cantante"

by noche

If you're a salsa lover or if it really interests you to know who Hector Lavoe was, then you'll enjoy the movie...even with it's trajedies. However, if you don't like salsa, Latinos, J-lo or Marc Anthony... just stay home and save your money! Everyone wants to be a critic, but critics should have an open mind and should also have some sort of intelligence that will guide them through the process of analyzing the contents that need critiquing. Don't waste your time writing to these web sites or periodicals to discredit "Successful Latinos". Go back to the movie world archives and you'll find that there are plenty of films that were made by non-Latinos that were really, really terrible! If you pay close attention to this movie, you'll find that it tells of a tragic love story with a very strong message. It's sad...but it's for real!!! Latinos also need to unite and boycott any establishment that does not cater to us. That includes theaters! Good luck to Jennifer and Marc
- 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written August 3, 2007
Can't Wait

by J'sbabydoll

I have not seen the movie but am eagerly anticipating it. I am getting together with a group of friends tonight and we are all going to see it. We are going to support our fellow Nuyoricans (JLo and Marc) on their first on screen endeavor. I encourage all of you to do the same! This really isn't about how good or bad the movie is but about us Latinos, seeing ourselves on screen, having our stories told and having our people producing, directing and acting. I grew up listening to Hector and Marc invokes the same feelings of PR pride and is as talented. Now if they would just redo the West Side Story the right way!! JLo would make a great Anita.
- 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Written August 3, 2007
"La Voz" was lost

by jokrayo

Some great scenes in this movie. All scenes in Puerto Rico were poignant and true. Certain visual ideas (the partying showing newness and success and the translations of some songs were great and well understood even by the young audience). Marc Athony and Ms. J-Lo did very well. Ichaso chose to make the same points in this film as he did in "Pinero" (a film worth seeing). But the movie is too choppy and subjective. There was a theate piece about Hector (played by Domino Quinones) that said more than this movie. Missing is how the rich musical background in Puerto Rico and the role the 60s played in the conflict between Puerto Ricans on the island and here in terms of politics (Independence for Puerto Rico) and cultural changes (Speaking english, Young Lords, Vietnam, jazz) condtioned Hector and Willie Colon. All typical immigrant experience. LaVoz wanted his (all) parents to love us - don't judge us. Hector showed our pain to the world - Hector could sing, man...
- 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written August 6, 2007
Marc se la comio

by Migdalia21

He leido varios comentarios y a pesar de que a algunas personas no les gusto la pelicula, tienen que admitir la participacion de Marc Anthony estuvo estupenda!!! Se la comio!!! Yo veia a Hector y no a Marc. La musica estuvo excelente y hay que reconocer que Marc la canto muy bien.
Muchos que seguimos la trayectoria musical de Hector sabemos que su vida fue muy triste por el abuso de las drogas. Que pena que el siguio ese rumbo, sino tuvieramos a Hector en vivo para rato!!!
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No