SELENA

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: immodesty, thematic elements

Rated:

Few Americans know of the impact of the singing sensation Selena Quintanilla on the Latino world. A few of us might remember the news reports of her death in 1995 at the hands of a crazed manager. But most of us won’t have been intimately acquainted with the pop star riseng in the ranks to worldwide fame until after seeing the film. Co-produced by her father, the film relives Selena’s childhood, her rise to fame, and her moment of glory... before all was snuffed out in one horrifying instant.

In the mid 60’s a Mexican American band called the Dinos find themselves on the wrong end of the mike. They’re refused by “Anglos” for not being white, and blamed by the Mexicans for not being Mexican. Perturbed, the group eventually disbanded with a few hits and the story picks up many years later. Abraham has been married and now has three children as well as a loving if sometimes stern wife, Marcela. The youngest, Selena, has a special talent for music, and at the age of eight can harmonize, croon, wail, and impress even the most hard-hearted of audience. Hoping to push Selena’s talents, Abraham purchases instruments for his children and coerces them into afternoon practices. For awhile they protest but eventually the group of youngsters are praise-worthy enough to perform locally. Abraham risks everything to purchase a Mexican restaurant for the sole purpose of showcasing his kids.

 A year later they have gone bankrupt and are forced to move in with their cousins. But the Quintallnias are not a family who gives up easily. Selena grows up and becomes quite popular locally... and dad takes them on tour. But every road has pitfalls. Abraham is assured Selena (Jennifer Lopez) will not be welcomed warmly in Mexico due to her slow linguistics in Spanish, but somehow she manages to charm her way into the hearts of the people. About this time Chris comes on board. Once a wild child and rock group guitarist, the long locks are shaved, the iron bracelets removed, and Chris becomes one of the gang. But Selena and he have a bond so strong that eventually it is destined to become something more. Only her father stands in their way... and Selena will jeopardize everything to find true happiness. 

I know I didn’t know Selena by name. She was just another voice on the pop/rock station I tune into regularly. It wasn’t until hearing her songs on film that I realized how familiar she is. Most of us have heard her music at one time or another, but never connected the beautiful voice to the sad story of her life. The film chooses not to reflect on the darker elements—her death, the mourning of her fans, or the problems that she hit along the way. Instead, this biography delves deeply into Selena herself... her dreams, her wishes, her life, her love. She was a deep character both intensely likable and awe-inspiring, from her childlike innocence in those first early years to the more profound maturity when she risked it all simply for love.

Numerous good lessons can be found in even in Selina’s secular family. The way they all stick together and protect one another; the determination to work together; the strong family bond that holds Selena together like glue. From the beginning the characters are personable and likable and you feel a coming dread as the character that will eventually kill her slowly comes in on the last half. By the credits, you feel as though you’ve lost a friend. The images portrayed are happy, light, and forgiving instead of the dark melodrama I anticipated. The singular problem with Selena is her lack of modesty... often bra-like tops and a few short skirts. (One humorous instance includes her father freaking out because she wore a “bra onstage!”) Her fashion leans toward that of Madonna and Janet Jackson but is never overly skimpy. I would be uncomfortable watching it in a room full of men, but for girls it’s a minor flaw. I’m happy to report there’s no hanky-panky between Chis and Selena; the single element that references intimacy is after their marriage when Selena says that she’d like to have a baby and he replies enthusiastically, “Let’s get started!” before carrying her into the house. There are probably a half dozen minor profanities.

For some, the film is memorable and classy and gives us a glimpse into the life of a truly fascinating young woman. Selena herself is likable despite her flaws and the film manages to be both humorous and sad without tending toward melodrama. I enjoyed it for what it was and thought all of the performances were utterly brilliant. I will never listen to her music the same way again.

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