Just because “mainstream Amerca” had never heard of him does not make him any less of a cultural icon. There is more than one culture in the US, not just white middle America.

never mind my own, diluted boricua-ism—i still like to think of myself as (relatively) culturally literate. but i had to google hector lavoe when i first heard about the production. so, yeah, cultural icon may be taking it a bit too far.

Ok, First of all REAL Puertoricans know who Lavoe is unless you lived under a Caverna all your life and if you don’t know what a Caverna is look it up because I’m sure you don’t. The other thing is that yes the film may have been a bit marginalized by Puchi’s point of view however, it was her point of view. I didn’t hear of anyone else buying the rights to his story to give him due justice. Salsa became what it was because of people like him, so yes the word Icon fits him right, you are taking someone who influenced the emergence of a whole genre of music and boxing him in with people not even worth mentioning and I take offence to that. Every genius has a fault and drugs were his regardless of his race or ethnicity, drugs go beyond that.

I am not PR but my boyfriend is. I had never heard of Hector Lavoe’s music but my boyfriend would always tell me how great his voice was. I watched the movie and enjoyed it emincely. Jennifer did a great job. Keep in mind that this was Puchi’s interview as she saw the world and not about anything else. Stop hating, Everyone seems to have feelings and you are entitled to yours like i am entitled to mine. this was a movie. for entertainment only. if you did not enjoy it don’t watch, or make your own movie

Hector Lavoe Was an Icon for the salsa culture. True salsa fans know the impact he had on salsa as it is known today. What he and Willie Colon did with salsa was unheard of at the time. They were way ahead of there time. Salseros would not be around today had it not been for him and the inspiration he had on all salsa. If that is not an Icon then you tell me what is.

I just saw the movie and I am very impressed. Outstanding Performance.
Every single one of the actors impersonations were phenominal and are due the credit that they truly deserve. I have to agree with Jennifer,Enrique,Franchesca & even Venus. Thank you from my heart for being so passionate about your feelings. The Beauty of being Latino is being proud of your roots and having a passion for your culture. I feel sorry for people like Ivelisse, that unfortunatly they have been deprived of their culture by way of other genres of music or just weren’t exposed enough to embrace it. I believe that this generation of young people have gotten so far away from the culture that they don’t really respect or appreciate what the Ambassadors of the Salsa Explosion and the Latin Movement was even all about. As for myself, born and raised in NY-we listened to everything from rock & roll to country,but it was something about that Salsa music…It was the music of the Legendary Icon Hector Lavoe,Willie Colon,Celia Cruz,Tito Puente,Cheo Feliciano,Ruben Blades and many more. So now it is my resposibility to pass this legacy down to my own children. My daughter 19 and my son 6(which by the way is PR & Black)Love Latin Music. I will continue to submerge & educate them…And the Beat Goes On.
Oh..by the way,we need more Puerto Ricans with a vocabulary that includes words like Caverna.YES!:)

To the author of this article. You have to remember this is art. Movies are art and this was her story through her eyes. The reason it was distorted is because she was on drugs and that’s how she saw things and percieved things. I thought the movie was great. Additionally Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon are Icons (Selena too). Just because you don’t know them dosen’t mean they are not Icons. I am sure there are many Icons that you never heard of. Finally everyone that I talk to about this movie did know Hector Lavoe before this movie came out. You should not be a journalist with a mind so closed up.

Loved the movie and the story! Only thing I found that would have given it a more reality feeling would have been. Marc Anthony should have Lip sync. and let Hector Lavoe voice be heard.

Marc I love your voice and music, but this is about Hector. “Should have been his voice.”

Love to all

JC

It’s funny how so many people say they didnt know or dont know Hector Lavoe. Its ok - its music you dont or didnt normally listen to. I grew up with salsa and merengue. Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades - they were what we listened to. It was their music that made us so eager to learn to dance and sing. Its just like these new Rock bands and Rap singers and Reggeaton artists, do you know all of them???? It’s ok if Hector was not an “ICON” in your world, he was in the world of many others. You just missed out on something many of us enjoyed and still enjoy today.

If you don’t know Hector Lavoe it’s because you were born in 1995. Other than that, I would say you lost your time!!!.. He is, and he will be, the best!!.. El cantante!!!.. We need another movie about his personal achievements and goals.. I’m not PR, but I love this man.. I love Salsa!!.. Viva Lavoe!!

ivelisse if your prican your a disgrace…..i aint prican im ecuadorian and i know the impact Hector Lavoe made. shame on you………………….

I am not a J-Lo fan by any means, and have been disappointed by every movie I have had the misfortunate to even attempt to watch. If Marc Anthony were going to do a movie about Hector Lavoe, and I believe he is the best for the part, J-Lo should have stayed out of it. One would think she’d know NOT to star with her intimate partners by now. tsk tsk tsk

I am familiar with Hector Lavoe’s music and fell in love with it the first time I heard it. I think it is long past time to tell his story, as it was. Stay away from the camera in the real one, J-Lo!

Beckett

This was a great movie, period!

I love Hector Lavoe and will thank my parents forever for teaching us about our music as hispanics in this country. My mother an ecuadorian and stepfather as well my mother said that it was always important that we not forget who we were. My real dad was puertorican but didn’t know him. However, I felt close to my roots thanks to the music and puertorican influences I had growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Viva Hector and all of the salsa icons that have left this great work for us to always cherish.

Mercedes Rodriguez Montero

Hector Lavoe was then and is now an ICON in the SALSA world…..I am Dominican and growing up in the 70’s and 80’s in Brooklyn, NY that is all we really listen to…yeah I listen to everything else…however salsa was the main choose of music….until merengue exploited… Hector’s music can be heard on the radio and at nightclubs even today…before the movie came out….I thought the movie was great…there are so many haters out there…J-lo and Mark Anthony did a great job…I really can’t think of two other actors that could have made that movie…it was Puchi’s side of the story people…Stop hating

This movie grew on me. The music was captivating, sometimes sad and definitely emotional. I loved the scenes between Marc and Jennifer- They are both good actors- U can not expect a male in his scene to match the emotion of a woman in distress. He reacted as i believe a male would react- It was subtle but moving and real- ask any woman who is trying to get answers from a man who has built a wall around his heart. Their chemistry is what keeps me watching it over and over. I thought it was very good and if a movie stays with u long after it is over- then it is a success- despite was anyone may say.

HERE IT IS SEPT, 2008 AND I STILL LOVE TO WATCH EL CANTANTE. I THINK J-LO AND MARK DID A JOB WORTH UN GRAN WEEEEEEEEEPAAAAAA. VIVA HECTOR !!!!!!!!!