El Cantante

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El Cantante ★★ 2006 (R)

Fiery passion is evident in this ode to a likely little-known artist who may be responsible for bringing salsa to the states. Puerto Rican-born Hector Lavoe—musician, singer, and addict—died of AIDS in 1993 at 46 after firing up the salsa scene in the U.S. The film showcases Lavoe and wife Puchi (Lopez) as they navigate the world of music, drugs, sex, and family. The music throbs but the story bobs, and we can't help but scratch our heads at the pair and their thorny relationship (he shares their bed with myriad others—of both sexes). It's the music that steals the show in this thumping, grinding tribute to a shooting star. 116m/C DVD . US Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, John Ortiz, Manny Perez, Vincent Laresca, Federico Castelluccio, Nelson Vasquez; D: Leon Ichaso; W: Leon Ichaso, David Darmstaedter, Todd Anthony Bello; C: Claudio Chea; M: Andres Levin.