For one brilliant, shining moment…The American Dream came true.
Selena tells the story of Latin Queen Selena Quintanilla-Perez, who was the most popular Latin singer at the time of her tragic death at the age of only 23 years in 1995. The film tells the story of the Tejano singer as she is accidentally discovered by her own father at the age of 10. Her life story takes off when Jennifer Lopez accurately portrays Selena through her unforgettable concerts, her family struggles, and her secret marriage to her guitarist Chris Perez.
Selena is a 1997 American biographical musical drama film written and directed by Gregory Nava about the life and career of the late Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, a recording artist well known in the Mexican American and Hispanic communities in the United States and Mexico before she was murdered by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club, at the age of 23.
The film stars Jennifer Lopez in her breakout role as Selena. Her father Abraham Quintanilla Jr. (who served as the producer in the film) is played by Edward James Olmos and Constance Marie plays Selena’s mother Marcella Quintanilla. Selena was released on March 21, 1997 in the United States to positive reviews from critics and audiences.
Following its August 1995 announcement, Selena was slated for an August 1996 release date. It was last pushed back to sometime at “the end of” 1996. Ultimately, it was released in America on March 21, 1997, after being pushed back several times. After its opening weekend, Selena grossed a total of $11,615,722 domestically, opening at #2 at the United States box office.
In its second weekend, the film fell #3, grossing $6,138,838. The following weekend, it fell to No. 6, grossing $3,456,217. By April 20, 1997, Selena grossed a total of $32,002,285.[27] Its total lifetime gross stands at $35,281,794.[26] According to Box Office Mojo, Selena is the ninth highest-grossing musical biopic of all time.
About the Story
The film begins on February 26, 1995, with American Tejano music singer Selena (Jennifer Lopez) performing to a sold out concert at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. Flashing back to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1961, a young Abraham Quintanilla Jr. (Edward James Olmos) and his band, Los Dinos, are rejected for an audition by the restaurant owner due to their Mexican-American ancestry. Crushed, Abraham gives up his music career.
In the 1980s, Abraham is now married to Marcella (Constance Marie) and has three children, A.B. Quintanilla (Jacob Vargas), Suzette Quintanilla (Jackie Guerra), and Selena. One day Selena finds her father playing music and sings along. Enchanted by her voice, Abraham decides to start a band with Selena as lead vocalist, A.B. on bass, and Suzette on drums, despite Suzette’s protests that “girls don’t play drums”. He names the band Selena y Los Dinos. The band performs often at the Mexican restaurant the family opens, and receive a positive reception from the diners. Eventually, the business goes bankrupt, and the family moves to Corpus Christi.
The actions moves ahead to 1989, where Selena y Los Dinos are playing a concert at a fair. Abraham is shocked when Selena peels off her jacket and performs in a beaded bra. He confronts Selena on the band’s bus, but she points out that her mother helped her make it, and that other fashionable female musicians such as Madonna and Janet Jackson are wearing bustiers too. Abraham relents, and Selena begins to design more and more of her band’s attire.
When the band needs a new guitarist, A.B. recommends Chris Pérez (Jon Seda), and auditions him to his father. However, Abraham is hesitant to hire Chris because of his tough-guy, heavy metal image, but A.B. points out that “It’s just musician stuff”. Abraham agrees to hire Chris if he will cut his hair. Suzette and Deborah re-style his hair and Chris joins the band.
The touring band stops off at a roadside diner, where Suzette hears a radio announcement that “Como la Flor” has reached number one on the music charts. The band and family celebrate. Selena and Chris begin to have romantic feelings for each other. Selena’s mother is supportive, but Abraham angrily fires Chris when he finds them hugging on the tour bus. Selena tearfully objects, but a furious Abraham threatens to disband the group if she continues to see him.
Chris and Selena continue to see each other behind Abraham’s back. Selena tires of having to hide their love, and goes to Chris’ hotel room. She persuades him to elope, saying it’s the only way her father will ever leave them alone. They marry secretly on April 2, 1992. The happy couple rides home in Selena’s convertible, but a radio station announces their marriage and plays “Como La Flor” in celebration. Selena and Chris decide to hide out for a day so Abraham will have time to cool off. Selena goes home to explain to her father, and Abraham agrees to accept their relationship. The Quintanillas welcome Chris to their family and rehire him to the band.
Selena (1997)
Directed by: Gregory Nava
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Jon Seda, Constance Marie, Jacob Vargas, Lupe Ontiveros, Jackie Guerra, Alex Meneses, Pete Astudillo, Rueben Gonzáles
Screenplay by: Gregory Nava
Production Design by: Cary White
Cinematography by: Edward Lachman
Film Editing by: Nancy Richardson
Costume Design by: Elisabetta Beraldo
Set Decoration by: Jeanette Scott
Art Direction by: Ed Vega
Music by: Dave Grusin
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild language and thematic elements.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: March 21, 1997
Hits: 391
