Selena Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A driven dad forces his kids into a band, and then his talented daughter gets famous, gets married, and then…oof.

🍿 Selena: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

The film opens by establishing Abraham Quintanilla’s early musical aspirations and the challenges he faced as a Mexican-American musician. It then transitions to Selena’s childhood, highlighting Abraham’s discovery of her singing talent and his decision to form a family band, Selena y Los Dinos. This section showcases the band’s early struggles and Selena’s burgeoning talent.

Rising to Fame and Overcoming Obstacles

As Selena y Los Dinos gain popularity, the film depicts the challenges they face, including Selena’s struggle to learn Spanish and the pressures of touring and performing. It also introduces Chris Perez, a guitarist who joins the band and develops a romantic relationship with Selena. This section portrays the band’s growing success and Selena’s personal growth.

Love, Marriage, and Continued Success

Abraham initially disapproves of Selena and Chris’s relationship, leading to conflict within the band and family. Despite the challenges, Selena and Chris secretly elope, eventually winning Abraham’s acceptance. This section highlights Selena’s personal happiness and the band’s continued success, including her Grammy win and the opening of her boutique, Selena Etc.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Selena Quintanilla (Jennifer Lopez): A gifted Tejana singer who rises to fame with the support of her family, becoming a music icon.
• Abraham Quintanilla (Edward James Olmos): Selena’s ambitious and driven father, who guides and manages her career, sometimes overbearingly.
• Chris Perez (Jon Seda): Selena’s guitarist and eventual husband, whose relationship faces initial disapproval from her father.
• Yolanda Saldivar (NA): Selena’s fan club president, who betrays her trust and ultimately ends her life.
• Suzette Quintanilla (Jackie Guerra): Selena’s sister and the drummer for Selena y Los Dinos, providing unwavering support throughout Selena’s career.
• Marcela Quintanilla (Constance Marie): Selena’s supportive mother who provides emotional support and stability for the family.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Abraham: “We have to be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time! It’s exhausting!” – Abraham expresses the constant struggle of Mexican-Americans to fit into two cultures.
• Selena: “If you have a dream, don’t let anybody take it away.” – Selena shares her personal philosophy about pursuing one’s passions with determination.
• Abraham: “You can’t just like music, you have to love it. You have to breathe it. Your passion will show.” – Abraham explains to his children what it takes to be a successful musician.
• Selena: “I want to be remembered not only as an entertainer but as someone who cared.” – Selena talks about her goals that extend beyond just performing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $35,764,351
• Worldwide Gross: $35,764,351

💥 Selena Reviews

Personal Review

I cried, I danced, I laughed. ‘Selena’ isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience. Jennifer Lopez’s performance is amazing, and the music just gets you. The Astrodome scene? Goosebumps! It made me feel closer to a culture I didn’t know much about, and I’ve been listening to Selena ever since. A must-watch for everyone.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez”
  • “Viewers interested in musical biopics”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about family, ambition, and overcoming adversity”
  • “Fans of Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief depiction of gun violence”
  • “Some mild language”
  • “Mature themes related to death and loss”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Nava captures Selena’s spirit, and Lopez delivers a performance of pure joy and charisma. The music throbs, and the supporting cast shines, making for a deeply moving experience.
• Roger Ebert: “A warm, human story that transcends the usual biopic clichés. Lopez embodies Selena with grace and power, and the film celebrates her life without shying away from the tragedy that cut it short.

Audience Reactions

Jennifer Lopez’s portrayal of Selena was spot-on and captured her energy perfectly.: Viewers loved the film’s respectful and celebratory tone, highlighting Selena’s life and music over her tragic death.

The musical performances were electrifying, bringing Selena’s concerts back to life.: Audiences praised the accurate portrayal of Selena’s family dynamics and the film’s heartwarming depiction of their close bond.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and respectful tribute to Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, anchored by Jennifer Lopez’s captivating performance and the film’s celebration of her life and music.

Awards

1. Imagen Award (Outstanding Feature Film)- 1998

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jennifer Lopez was chosen for the role of Selena from over 20,000 actresses.”
• “To prepare for her role, Jennifer Lopez spent time with Selena’s family and watched hours of Selena’s concert footage and interviews.”
• “During Selena’s Grammy walk scene, the song played was ‘Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,’ however, Selena won the Grammy for the album ‘Live,’ which did not include that song.”

🖥️ How to Watch Selena?

Selena is available to rent or buy on demand through platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for possible television airings. While not currently streaming on subscription services, keep an eye on platforms like HBO Max and Hulu for potential future availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Selena, you might like these similar films:

• La Bamba (1987): A biographical drama about the tragically short life of rock and roll star Ritchie Valens.
• What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993): A biographical film chronicling the tumultuous life and career of singer Tina Turner, highlighting her strength and resilience.
• Dreamgirls (2006): A musical drama loosely based on The Supremes, showcasing the rise to fame and internal struggles of a female singing group.
• A Star Is Born (2018): A more modern movie about the rise of a star alongside a tragic story of love and addiction.

🛒 Selena Related Products

• Selena: The Series – Seasons 1 & 2 (DVD): Relive Selena’s journey in this captivating series. The series dives deeper into her early years and the sacrifices made by her family.
• Selena Quintanilla Funko Pop! Rocks Figure: Add this Funko Pop! figure to your collection. A constant reminder of Selena’s impact on music and culture.
• Selena: The Album (Vinyl): Own Selena’s iconic album on vinyl. Features her greatest hits.
• Selena Movie Poster: A timeless piece of memorabilia that captures the essence of the film and its iconic star.

🎧 Soundtrack

Selena features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dreaming of You” – performed by Selena
• “Como la Flor” – performed by Selena
• “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” – performed by Selena
• “Amor Prohibido” – performed by Selena

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Selena (1997) – scene comparisons

Ever wondered how accurate the ‘Selena’ movie really is? This video breaks down scene-by-scene comparisons with actual events. It’s pretty cool to see how much detail they got right (and a few things they tweaked!).

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Selena’ Turns 20! Her Family Reflects on Movie & Legacy: ‘In My Mind She’s Still Alive’

Get ready to grab some tissues! This exclusive interview with Selena’s family, 20 years after the movie came out, is incredibly touching. Hearing their memories and how they keep her spirit alive is just… wow.

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