I put off seeing this series for a long time. I knew where my bread was buttered when it comes to the definitive story and depiction of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. I saw the Movie Salena a couple of years out of high school and that high-school had a very Mexican-American student body. Many of my friends and classmates were inconsolable when the tragedy of Selana happened. So I am protective.
Having said that...I burned right through the series and couldn't stop until it was all done. Are there problems? Yes. Does it cross a Salena-exploitation line? I wouldn't say so but it dips its toe every once in a while.
What I loved about the series was the different perspectiv0e. I know the movie inside and out and I didn't feel like they were re-treading any ground. In fact, I thought they kept the movie in mind the whole time, making sure not to tell the same story, interpret things the same way, or make any cheap grabs in the name of promotion or sensationalism.
I think the acting is just fine. If you're comparing it to the movie, remember, the acting in the movie is pretty ham-fisted in a lot of parts and serviceable at best. It's the production and direction from the movie I think people remember the best, and why that movie is generally well-liked. But it wasn't for the acting, trust me. I didn't watch the movie over and over again for the actors. In fact, Jennifer Lopez's acting in the movie is one of the best and sets a very low bar. Lopez's depiction and sincerity of the Latin singer is the only reason I give her the time of day as I'm not partial to her or any of her other movies at all.
Christian Serratos' portrayal of the Tejano singer is on point and reserved. I don't know if the actor is leaning a little too heavily on Jennifer Lopez's interpretation or if that really is just what the singer was like and the portrayal is relatively straightforward.
The family members are solid. The only awkward characters are some of supporting characters from either extended family or close friends. They are off and weird. Again, they may be accurate but they are depicted in a strained and (at times) bazaar way.
All of the core Quintanilla family characters have equal time in this series, and I like that. Even when the subject of going solo is brought up it is done as a family event and consideration. This brings a richness that the movie lacked. Salena's inner turmoil about the growing weight and responsibility of the family's success is fully fleshed out and gives the character much more depth.
The performances don't hold a candle to the movie, which is fine, I know what this series is and I got out of it what I expected and wanted from it. I don't think this series is for everyone. Some series would be entertaining strictly from a production and direction standpoint. You would want to watch it regardless of the subject matter. Not this one. I think you need to be a fan of Salena,Tejano artists, specifically, or music in general to really care about it. Having said that there is one big caveat...Salena's family and the depiction of their journey navigating choppy and non-descript music waters is compelling. What they were trying to do is weird, confusing, and doesn't fit neatly into a paradigm, that itself is a good reason to watch the series. It's a 6, and that's ok.
Having said that...I burned right through the series and couldn't stop until it was all done. Are there problems? Yes. Does it cross a Salena-exploitation line? I wouldn't say so but it dips its toe every once in a while.
What I loved about the series was the different perspectiv0e. I know the movie inside and out and I didn't feel like they were re-treading any ground. In fact, I thought they kept the movie in mind the whole time, making sure not to tell the same story, interpret things the same way, or make any cheap grabs in the name of promotion or sensationalism.
I think the acting is just fine. If you're comparing it to the movie, remember, the acting in the movie is pretty ham-fisted in a lot of parts and serviceable at best. It's the production and direction from the movie I think people remember the best, and why that movie is generally well-liked. But it wasn't for the acting, trust me. I didn't watch the movie over and over again for the actors. In fact, Jennifer Lopez's acting in the movie is one of the best and sets a very low bar. Lopez's depiction and sincerity of the Latin singer is the only reason I give her the time of day as I'm not partial to her or any of her other movies at all.
Christian Serratos' portrayal of the Tejano singer is on point and reserved. I don't know if the actor is leaning a little too heavily on Jennifer Lopez's interpretation or if that really is just what the singer was like and the portrayal is relatively straightforward.
The family members are solid. The only awkward characters are some of supporting characters from either extended family or close friends. They are off and weird. Again, they may be accurate but they are depicted in a strained and (at times) bazaar way.
All of the core Quintanilla family characters have equal time in this series, and I like that. Even when the subject of going solo is brought up it is done as a family event and consideration. This brings a richness that the movie lacked. Salena's inner turmoil about the growing weight and responsibility of the family's success is fully fleshed out and gives the character much more depth.
The performances don't hold a candle to the movie, which is fine, I know what this series is and I got out of it what I expected and wanted from it. I don't think this series is for everyone. Some series would be entertaining strictly from a production and direction standpoint. You would want to watch it regardless of the subject matter. Not this one. I think you need to be a fan of Salena,Tejano artists, specifically, or music in general to really care about it. Having said that there is one big caveat...Salena's family and the depiction of their journey navigating choppy and non-descript music waters is compelling. What they were trying to do is weird, confusing, and doesn't fit neatly into a paradigm, that itself is a good reason to watch the series. It's a 6, and that's ok.
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