MovieChat Forums > Selena (1997) Discussion > Sorry to say

Sorry to say

posted 10 years ago by theblackestmagic
10 replies | jump to latest

For me Jennifer Lopez was just unable to successfully pull off the role of Selena in this film. Sometimes in bio pics an actor/actress is truly capable of inhabiting and conveying to the audience the image of the real life individual they're portraying on screen to the point where you can even begin to believe that you're seeing the actual person right before your very eyes. This was just not the case when it came to Lopez's portrayal of Selena IMO. She didn't look like her, didn't sound like her and she ultimately failed in her attempt to capture Selena's true essence and spirit. Perhaps she was able to emulate Selena's particular dance style in the movie, but I'm still always fully aware that it's Lopez I'm watching on the screen and not an actress whose truly captured Selena's own persona and presence. Lopez also carried too much of a Nuyorican vibe to be able to convincingly portray a real life Tex-Mex singer. I just really feel that they should have cast an unknown Mexican-American actress from the southwest for the role.

This is my own personal view as to why the film was not as affecting as it could and should have been. I think that it was a relatively poor casting decision on the part of those who were involved in making this film.

No matter what the outcome was though, RIP to the truly beautiful and wonderfully talented woman who was Selena.

"Life IS pain highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something".

[–] antonasmodeus 10 years ago

I completely agree. Since the movie originally came out, many people who knew the real Selena Quintanilla say this was nothing but a cash-grab to capitalize on her tragic murder. There has also been a lot of criticism at having Jennifer Lopez in the title role. Her looks, mannerisms, laughter, etc. are all pure J-Lo. In other words, she was basically playing herself. So while the film may have boosted Lopez's career, the real Selena is sadly not here.

[–] theblackestmagic 10 years ago

I completely agree with what you stated in your last sentence. I could never help but find it more than a little ironic how Lopez, due in large part to her portrayl of Selena, has been enjoying for several years now the very same kind of successful career and life that was so cruelly denied and taken away from Selena. So in essence she's gotten to have throughout her own life exactly what Selena was never able to have herself, thanks again in very large part to Lopez actually playing her on screen. None of this is meant to be a personal criticism of Lopez herself. But I just don't see how anyone who really stops to think about it can somehow avoid this particular thought from crossing their own mind.

"Life IS pain highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something".

[–] RockDesk 10 years ago

Selena's family seem to disagree with this opinion of Jennifer Lopez.

[–] theblackestmagic 9 years ago

Well that's perfectly fine if they agreed with the casting choice and were/are pleased with Lopez's portrayl of Selena in the film. But that still doesn't change my own personal opinion that she was very much miscast in the role.

"Life IS pain highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something".

[–] emma57 9 years ago

I think Jennifer did an awesome job portraying Selena. Who would you have suggested play her part? The movie was a big success! if the family was happy that is really what counts!



[–] dllmb 9 years ago

I will take the family's opinion over anyone else in terms of Lopez capturing Selena's essence. I personally thought she did a tremendous job in this film along with Olmos and Seda.

[–] weezi_us 9 years ago

In my opinion..and maybe because I'm from selena hometowm n saw her many times.j lo did very very well..n her tribute to Selena was awesome she rocked it and ab and suzette played with her at that tribute they had not played together very long time..you tube j lo tribute to Selena

[–] ramcamcole 9 years ago

Is looking like her all that important honestly. I mean Michael Fassbender looks nothing like Steve Jobs yet gave one of the best performances last year.

[–] shani_dayo 9 years ago

I disagree, I though Lopez did an excellent job of playing Selena, and I also thought that the movie as a whole was very touching, and well done.

[–] andreea_raiciu 8 years ago

Finally! I totally agree with you.I'm sure there were many others latin actresses that looked more like Selena and were better at playing her.As you said, when we see Jennifer Lopez we still know it's her and her performance has nothing to do with Selena who was natural, funny and crazy (in the best way possible).i also disliked the fact that Selena had that hot latina body shape with curves that looked natural, burt Jlo was way skinnier(nothing wrong with that, but not okay for the part she was playing).I'm sorry to say this, but she's good only for romantic comedies where she doesn't have to act much.