Wow, where do I even begin with “El cantante”? This movie is like a wild salsa dance—sometimes you nail the steps, sometimes you trip over your own feet. It’s a biopic about the legendary Hector Lavoe, starring Marc Anthony and his then-wife, Jennifer Lopez. First off, the chemistry between these two is something else. You can almost feel the electricity spark between them right off the screen. It’s got that sweet melancholy vibe you often find in Swedish films but jazzed up with a tropical punch.

Marc Anthony as Hector Lavoe? Man, he nails it, mostly. His portrayal of the singer’s highs and lows is pretty intense. You can see he’s really trying to channel Lavoe’s soul. But sometimes—just sometimes—it feels like he’s trying a bit too hard. You know what I mean? Like, when you have the perfect joke in your head but it doesn’t land quite right when you say it out loud.

And J.Lo, she’s fantastic, period. Her role as Puchi, Lavoe’s wife, really adds layers. Honestly, it made me appreciate her acting chops way more. Though, they do lay the melodrama on a bit thick. The story dives deep into Lavoe’s battle with addiction and fame, and while the sentiment is raw and heartfelt, there are a few moments that feel almost soap-opera-ish.

The soundtrack? Oh, without a doubt, it’s a banger. Salsa at its finest. Makes you wanna jump up and dance, or at least tap your foot if you’re as rhythmically challenged as I am. I haven’t jammed this hard since I stumbled upon my pappa’s old ABBA records in the attic.

I gotta share this though—watching “El cantante” took me back to this one time in Stockholm. I was just a kid, and my mom dragged me to this Latin festival at Kungsträdgården. I remember being mesmerised by the music and the colorful clothes. It was like stepping into another world, one that was so different from our usual snowy Swedish winters. That same vibrancy and chaos comes through in the movie.

So, should you watch it? If you’re in the mood for a rollercoaster biopic with great music and some killer performances, then ja, definitely. Just temper your expectations a bit for the dramatics.

Check out the trailer here: El cantate