Review: El Cantante -- Directed by Leon Ichaso
Salsa may be a form of Latin dance, but its legacy and history is derived from the cultures and the performers who gave breath and rhythm to it. One of the most infamous performers of salsa was the one known as Hector Levoe. Marc Anthony plays the iconic artist, a young Puerto Rican first who was first called Hector Perez. Hector leaves the island of Puerto Rico against his father's wishes to start a music career in New York City. Jennifer Lopez is Puchi, a young Puerto Rican woman born and raised in the Bronx. The biopic retells the story of their origins and what brought the two of them together, their love, and the trials they both endured in their strained relationship.
Both Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez give memorable performances. The film follows the characters from Puerto Rico, to New York City, and back again. It displays the highlights of the famed Salsa artist while also touching base on some of the singer's lowest moments. Jennifer Lopez displays her acting ability. Performing as Puchi in the infamous interview she gave shortly before her death, she laments over life-- the triumphs and losses she endured during her passionate yet tense time spent with Levoe. Their stories are rife with tension of marriage, the travesty of their drug and alcohol addictions, and familial strain. The performances of the surrounding characters add depth to the narrative. John Ortiz plays the infamous Willie Colón, who was a close bandmember, confidente, and friend until he was unable to endure it anymore.
While the infamous salsa artists and their families were champions of their people and culture, they were also human and endured their own trials. The audience is invited to reflect on the lives of artists and the struggles they endure not only as performers, but as humans with ordinary concerns including a desire to belong and to be recognized. To what expense though, and at what cost, is left for the viewer to reflect though.
The film itself is not without its controversies. Many critics, especially those like Willie Colón himself, felt that neither Marc Anthony or Jennifer Lopez understood the narrative they themselves were trying to tell. The artist is noted for his view that Anthony and Lopez created another Hollywood film that portrays Puerto Rican drug users, as opposed to telling the actual story. He also feels that the film itself is unsympathetic to Hector Levoe and too kind to Pachi Perez. However, Jennifer Lopez also argued that she was interested in writing a story that was true and faithful to the one that had been told by Puchi Perez herself. An article which covers this topi and dates back to when the film was released can be found here.
As I do with any other content I post, I leave you to derive your own decisions. Viewers should note that the film is rated R, and does feature scenes that exhibit sexual content, drug use, violence, and touches on other sensitive subjects. You can watch the trailer for the film here. It is available to watch for free on YouTube with advertisements.
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