Born into poverty. Destined for stardom. He lived the American dream.
Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.
Luis Valdez
Director, Writer

Lou Diamond Phillips
Ritchie Valens

Danielle von Zerneck
Donna Ludwig

Elizabeth Peña
Rosie Morales

Rosanna DeSoto
Connie Valenzuela

Esai Morales
Bob Morales

Joe Pantoliano
Bob Keane
Marshall Crenshaw
Buddy Holly

Brian Setzer
Eddie Cochran
Daniel Valdez
Lelo
I'm Not There64%
Almost Famous75%
Blonde59%
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody70%
Clika80%
Cadillac Records71%
Hounddog64%
Rocketman73%
Blaze62%
The Five Heartbeats73%
All Eyez on Me67%
Mo' Better Blues64%
Ray74%
Get On Up67%
Horns62%
The Killer Inside Me58%
Nowhere Boy71%
Under the Volcano66%
Lolita73%
Better Man76%