SELENA

SELENA is the true story of the rise, success and tragic end of Selena Quintanilla Perez, a 23 year-old Mexican-American pop star who broke through racial and social barriers to become a huge success both in America and south of the border. The story focuses a great deal on Selena’s father, Abraham, played by Edward James Olmos. Abraham had tried to make it in the music business during his youth with his trio, the Dino’s. Faced with impossible racial barriers on both sides of the border, he was never able to become a success.

However, at the age of nine, young Selena began proving herself to be an extraordinary talent which offered her father the opportunity to live out his dream through her. It was a different time and a different social climate than he faced in his youth. He was determined to make this dream a reality for Selena. First one gig, then another and before long, Selena, accompanied by her older brother and sister on the guitar and drums respectively, began to make a name for herself. Throughout her teenage years, she and her family spent most of their time on a bus traveling endlessly from one place to another.

Selena’s brother, Abie , played by Jacob Vargas, introduces their father to Chris Perez (Jon Seda ) a wild-haired rocker guitarist who ruffles feathers immediately. Proving to be a master on the guitar, Chris is hired to join the band. There is an immediate chemistry between Chris and Selena, leading them into a secret relationship which becomes a source of great anger for Selena’s father. Abraham refuses to permit the two to marry. When rebuffed by both Chris and Selena, saying they will be married regardless of his wishes, Abraham fires Chris and throws him off the bus leaving Selena in tears with her mother. It doesn’t take long for Selena and Chris to decide to elope.

Uncharacteristic of Hollywood stories, this elopement proves to be a release and relief for Abraham. Always the perfectionist, always overprotective of his little girl, he feels relieved to have the decision made for him. What the couple expects to be an ugly confrontation, turns out to be a very sweet reconciliation. Selena beams with delight, sitting on top of the world with a blooming career and her love at her side on stage and off. The happy story takes a subtly sour turn when it is discovered that Selena’s fan club manager, Yolanda Saldivar (Lupe Ontiveros ) has been stealing money from the fan club and from Selena’s beauty salon. A long time trusted friend, Yolanda tries to assure Selena of her innocence, but with solid evidence against her, she apparently snaps emotionally culminating in well-known shooting death of Selena, bringing this sweet success story to a premature ending.

While the film can be commended for remaining true to the facts of the story, the overall production quality suffers from mediocrity. The film drags in many places. Miss Lopez’s performance is commendable as well as Constance Marie (Selena’s Mother) and Edward Olmos. The rest of the cast never seems to measure up. The ending is awkward and abrupt, barely addressing Selena’s murder.

Overall, however, the film should be recommended as an uplifting story that encourages mutual love and respect in family relationships. It further encourages a solid work ethic with a commitment toward accomplishing goals and fulfilling dreams. It presents a mostly positive image of a father’s dedication to his children, and the fulfillment of their dreams. There is never any question of Selena’s love and respect for her father. This is echoed by Chris, her fiancee, as well as the rest of her family. Though a sad and slightly depressing story, it provides a moral insight into the life of a promising talents.