La mala (2008) User Reviews

A very fun film...

[picahess · 8/10 · 13 January 2009]

Very entertaining, solid acting and the music is great. this is Grammy nominee Lena Burke's first acting role and it's pretty impressing. it is made very clear in the plot that Lena's character is not trying to imitate the famous and very controversial Cuban singer La Lupe, but that she is inspired by her controversy. Lena imparts her own very unique style to the songs of La Lupe as well as some songs she wrote herself. the rest of the cast, both from Cuba and Puerto Rico, all give very solid performances. it is a period film taking place in the Puerto Rico of the 1960's and the production design is excellent, as well as the photography. some of the interiors were shot at the impressive Ciudad de la Luz studios in Spain and La Mala was the first American film to be shot there. Overall a very fun film to watch. I enjoyed it a lot and the audience seemed to have a real good time, applauding and even singing the songs. La Mala is not bad at all....

A pleasant surprise!

[tashiserrano · 8/10 · 25 January 2009]

As someone not used to seeing movies in Spanish, I must confess this was a very pleasant surprise. I'm an avid moviegoer and can be very critical but besides some minor script and editing details I would have done differently, I have to admit I was entertained and got my monies worth. I was really impressed with the acting. There seemed to be some flaws at times with the sync, but Lena's great voice and acting performance really stood out. I knew she could sing but after finding out this was her first acting role I have to really say she was magnificent. The supporting cast of truly experienced actors played their roles with an honesty and professionalism that really got the audience going. Do I recommend it? I certainly do!....

La Mala is not bad at all see it you won't be sorry

[gustru-1 · 13 January 2009]

I had the pleasure of seeing this film. The author of the comment, Aleixis Sebastain did not understand at all or was biased against the film. All the screaming and bad words are an integral part of the plot and integral part of Cuban families in that time period. So here goes a comment on the film not a personal lash against it which is what Alexis comment was (In my opinion) . Well shot with some pretty good performances (Lena who plays Yoli main carachter won award best actress in "la mostra de Vlenecia" for his her first role) Jorge Perrugoria (El Che, The Argentine and Fresa y Chocolate first Cuban film nominated for an Oscar), Maria Isabel Diaz (Almodovars Volver) stand out as her father a "Tia" who wants her to be a star like her idol "La Lupe" Cuban Diva of the 50's 60's and on. P J Lopez cinematography compliments the period and most important of all the music "The Boleros" of la Lupe. This film in my opinion is worth a look I recommend it. Just like every Bio pic the spectator interprets what they see so watch this one is worth a look.

Full of sad Latino stereotypes

[alexissebastian · 2/10 · 3 December 2008]

Screaming Latinos... Families that fight all the time... Unfaithful wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends... All of the sad and shameful Latino stereotypes are present in this movie, which lack a coherent plot or central crisis to at least give some sense to the endurance.

The movie centers around a girl who wants to emulate "La Lupe", one of the greatest and most passionate singers in the history of Latin America, and who is actually like a cult figure to many. The imitation done by the main actress seems to be the gimmick to justify the movie, but actually there is no substance in the plot and no sympathetic characters.

"La mala" means "The Bad", which is a proper title for this movie.