The Same Old Story: El Cantante

El Cantante
Directed by Leon Ichaso
Released August 3, 2007

It is bizarre writing this review just after seeing "Becoming Jane" since my problem with the two films is essentially the same. In this case, this is a factual biography of influential Salsa singer Hector Lavoe. While his story is obviously his own and cannot be faulted for its own historical happenings, there is nothing here that goes above and beyond the simple act of storytelling. That story is pretty bare and sparse as it happens, and if a few minor plot details were to be tweaked, this could easily be a lesser version of "Walk the Line" or "Ray". Marc Anthony is missable as the King of Salsa himself, and Jennifer Lopez is pretty much awful. It is certainly easily to be fall into the moment with the music, but this is not "Once", and requires more storytelling specifics and fewer grand plot sweeps. Many developments here are completely skipped over, and make little sense. Hey, at least it has a good beat.

C-