I still don't understand why they choose J,Lo for the film.
And to all you idiots she looks nothing like Selena.
shareI don't see how anyone who actually was familiar with Selena - meaning those who watched her interviews, videos and performances could think Jennifer waqs right in this part. She didn't have Selena's mannerisms, the way she moved, the way she danced, the way she laughed, nothing. Jennifer played her idea of Selena. Her family claimed Jennifer was perfect just to sell the movie, which was considered a flop at the box office. It made a small portion back of what it cost to make it and didn't meet expectations. Salma Hayek would have been a poor choice as well.
And I hate dishonesty. They promised to star an unknown and held a massive cattle call where thouands lined up for the role. Yet the person who gets the role is a well established actress who already knew the director? Everyone knew no gorl at the cttle call would get the role, they were already negotiating with Jennifer. It was all dishonest. Not to mention the producers soundly promised to premiere the movie in Texas, yet turned around and premiered the movie in Miami, where Jennifer was living at the time. And Jennifer got married in Miami a month before the film premiered. Which gave her another bump of publicity for the movie.
Jennifer was the first actress paid a million dollars - and for this role. Which is kinda weird considering Jennifer didn't have the clout or star power in 1996 to carry a film. She was a c-lister, a co-starring actress. The pacheck went with the hype for the movie.
Plus, Jennifer used this as a step to launch her singing career. She didn't care about the role. She made too many catty comments otherwise. Which she was imfamous for doing until she became a superstar in 1999. Anyone remember the Movieline interview?
Not to mention the movie was historically incorrect - things in the movie didn't happen or were out of order. There's other critisms but that's a different post.
BTW, I don't hate Jennifer. I simply hated her in this role. I simply remember the facts of what actually happened, not the romanticized PR version.
I don't procrastinate...I reschedule.
The film was well received by critics, gaining mix to positive reviews. I doubt that a family as loyal as the Quintanilla would actually lie about J.Lo's portrayal just to sell the film. They're expressions back when they were on the Operah show gave away that they didn't really care for a film to begin with. That being said, Selena's mother once said in an interview that she got attached to Lopez because of how much she reminded her of her daughter on set, and that when filming was over for Lopez, she was reduced to tears because she felt like she lost her daughter again.
Also Lopez has stated it was her hardest role ever. She even lived with the Quintanilla family to prepare. Her claimed hard efforts really showed in the film.
I've seen many actual footage of Selena, and I truly felt J.Lo nailed the hell out of the role. From what I heard, many of Selena's fan were disappointed to find out that a Puerto Rican actress was playing her, but quickly changed their minds once they saw how good she played the role.
I get your disappointment, I take it you were one of many fans that remained upset over the choice of actress to play such an amazing star. But Lopez did an outstanding job, I think so, millions think so, the critics thinks so. And this is coming from someone who really dislikes Jennifer Lopez.
BTW, a biopic will never be faithful to what actually happened IRL. Directors always get creative and mix things up a bit, it's the way it's always been with biopic's and novel adaptations.
I think many of the fans who loved Jennifer as Selena never knew the real Selena. They only know the Jennifer Lopez version. I knew Selena before Jennifer. I knew Selena, her interviews, her concerts, her words, her laughter. I knew her when she was alive. I didn't get to know the movie version of her or the snippet version of her after she was dead.
That's total crap because her dad was the one who thought of a movie in the first place. She wasn't dead 6 months before the family started talking movie. The cattle calls were early Spring 1996. Production began in May and ended in August. The cattle call girls didn't actually audition - were just asked name, age, where from, can they sing or dance. Weeks later a big star like Lopez was signed? Rumor had it she was ALREADY signed.
Oh yeah, can't forget Selena the musical.
And yes, I do believe the Quintanilla family would be dishonest about Jennifer to sell the movie. They have sold Selena since the day she died. I say of dead celebs, Selena ranks with Elvis, Micheal and Marilyn as most exploited.
As I stated before, there was a lot of dishonesty with the production and the publicity of the film. The only research Jennifer did was hang out with the fam a few days and watch some videos. That's what was reported back then. The story has... changed over time. Jennifer's own snotty comments are really what gave me the opinion I hold... And she was infamous for making idiot comments around this time...Jennifer made it clear this was her vehicle to stardom and it was just another job. Go back and read her old interviews. All the other drama didn't really phase me but add in Jennifer's ignorant attitude, and it's beyond enough to piss off a Selena fan.
Any actress that got the role would be just as praised as Jennifer is now. Simply because the movie as about Selena. If Salma had played Selena, people would say wonderful she was. Saying Jennifer sucked in the role or saying them movie sucked is tantamount to calling the Beatles overrated - a big Pop Culture no-no.
The movie received mostly mixed reviews...of course time changes the history. Then again, it doesn't matter because reviewers are paid to write whatever.
I figure if you're going to make a film that is helping to launch Selena into mainstream stardom, do it right. If you can't tell the story correctly, don't tell it at all. A better actress with a better attitude and a better storyline would've been much better. Selena deserved much better.
I like Jennifer. She seems to be a better person than she was in 1998. She's a decent enough singer. I like her in comedic roles, always thought drama was her Achilles Heel. Yet Jennifer made me dislike her nd her role in Selena, even with all the dishonesty and PR surrounding the film, Jennifer made me dislike Jennifer.
I look forward to the day Selena can get a great movie with a proper storyline and a proper actress. Since her family owns virtually every Selena copyright ever, I don't see it happening any time soon.
I don't procrastinate...I reschedule.
Jennifer Lopez brought a LOT to the Selena role and did it justice.
A lesser actress could have screwed it up.
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I agree RainyCloudz. I think she did a damn good effectively carrying out Selena's personality. It really made it felt was convincing and engaging. I think it should matter whether an actress can effectively bring that character to life and made it seem more convincing in which J. LO had did.
Nice 2 laugh, but don't be the joke.👎✋