A great story of a storied man who leaves a legacy of honor, humility and the essence of being a proud Mexican. The losses and adversity Chente had to overcome was shared with millions during their own time of struggle. Losing Chente has left a hole and while I struggled listening to this cast try to sing, it didn't matter because the story and lens into his life has been enjoyable. The time edits were rather excessive and better writing could have made this a batter series overall. The early years of his life were clearly the catalyst his success over time, an inspirational and must for those who remember Chente with a smile.
34 Reviews
A question of time
roparker-9340823 October 2022
My main issue is that the time sequence is off. In 1966 Vicente marries Cuca, then flash forward to 1976 and Vivente and Cuca have a teenaged son. How did that happen. In a span of 10 years? Also, going from the younger Vicente to the older Vicente ages him like crazy. He literally goes from looking 25 to late 40's in a 10 year time span. I'm so annoyed with the time lapses, they make no sense.
I was never a Vicente Fernandez fan, but I did appreciate his music. I always thought he had too much machismo and the series paints him in a different light. I hope that is not part of the creative license that Netflix took. I am almost done with the series and spent so much time googling if event actually took place. I'll just enjoy it as a piece of fictional art based on his life. The time thing, however makes the production company look unprofessional. 🙁
I was never a Vicente Fernandez fan, but I did appreciate his music. I always thought he had too much machismo and the series paints him in a different light. I hope that is not part of the creative license that Netflix took. I am almost done with the series and spent so much time googling if event actually took place. I'll just enjoy it as a piece of fictional art based on his life. The time thing, however makes the production company look unprofessional. 🙁
Stick with it. It gets very rewarding in later episodes
benz-9365623 October 2022
The story... 10/10 what a story
Musicality ambiance (especially in later episodes with adult Vicente and some by young adjust Vicente are worth watching. 8 10
Delivery of the story 6 /10 ( constant back and forth lost points
Actors 8/10 but main caractors in later part of movie are very believable and charismatic.. Some Good laughs and some tears as well.
Quality of early recordings (way too much reverb to try and make kids sound good 4/10 Older performers. Sound was good. 8/10 The intrigues and constant struggles are excelente to watch and can provide life lessons than even a middle aged business man like me is taking notice. The dealing with aggressive gossip news, competitors sabotaging deals etc... Stick with it past the clunky timeline and get to young adult Vicente and then adult Vicente.. Love love the character of adult Vicente... So charismatic, and the voice is much better. As a non latino French Canadian, I love his voice although I realize the true "El Rey" was incomparable.
The pace Of the movie is very relaxing with constantly good music. Lots of hardship and challenges he had to go through. This series is an absolute life lesson that shows perseverance most be shown when you truly want something.
Quality of early recordings (way too much reverb to try and make kids sound good 4/10 Older performers. Sound was good. 8/10 The intrigues and constant struggles are excelente to watch and can provide life lessons than even a middle aged business man like me is taking notice. The dealing with aggressive gossip news, competitors sabotaging deals etc... Stick with it past the clunky timeline and get to young adult Vicente and then adult Vicente.. Love love the character of adult Vicente... So charismatic, and the voice is much better. As a non latino French Canadian, I love his voice although I realize the true "El Rey" was incomparable.
The pace Of the movie is very relaxing with constantly good music. Lots of hardship and challenges he had to go through. This series is an absolute life lesson that shows perseverance most be shown when you truly want something.
Great series!
wilresto20 October 2022
As a longtime Vicente Fernández Gomez fan, I was happy to see this series was released! My mom and I enjoyed his movies over the many decades. I wish she were still here to enjoy it with me.
His music is still relevant today and can be heard played in many places.
The series is a good look into the struggles, hardships and tragedies the family faced
The cast was great, I enjoyed the performances! Good to see many new faces and a few familiar ones.
Is it perfect, no, but what can be perfect when depicting a bigger than life star?
I appreciate the effort and enjoyed the series. Thank you Netflix.
His music is still relevant today and can be heard played in many places.
The series is a good look into the struggles, hardships and tragedies the family faced
The cast was great, I enjoyed the performances! Good to see many new faces and a few familiar ones.
Is it perfect, no, but what can be perfect when depicting a bigger than life star?
I appreciate the effort and enjoyed the series. Thank you Netflix.
Beautiful series!
Vans01015 November 2022
This is my first review on here, reason being that I just watched this series and after seeing some of these review here, I felt I had to write one myself and share my experience. I have never heard of Vicente Fernandez until I saw this show, and was not familiar with the genre of music. However, I am now and I am so glad. Not sure why people are saying negative things about the show at all, I thought it was absolutely amazing and very cleverly put together, maybe yes a little cheesy at parts, but that was fine. To me the singing was amazing, all of the different aged Vicentes were brilliant. The little Vicente (Vicente niño) who was played by Kaled Acab was just adorable and, a brilliant singer, how could anyone not like him. I wanted to see more and more of him as the show went on. Jamie Camil was also absolutely marvelous. The other two young Vicentes (Sebastian Dante and Sebastian García) were also great to watch and very likeable. Dante with his huge smile was a pleasure to watch and all the actors displayed huge charisma. Enoc Leaño did a great job of playing Vicente's father (Ramón Fernández) I Did not see anything wrong with their style of acting, and as for the singing, well, I imagine no one is going to be as good as the real Vicente, otherwise everyone would be a huge musical star and have their hands on the Hollywood walk of fame, however the voices were all amazing, all could be singers alone and record songs without acting. I also really liked how the time line was thrown around so that it slowly built a clear picture to the whole story but only towards the end, this kept it from being possibly boring at times and kept me wanting to know more, watch more (maybe harder for some people to get their minds around) but I found this stimulating for the brain and made watching the show more exciting and addictive. It's a shame some are so negative about the show, maybe look at positives, for example, how it helps others outside the Mexican culture to learn about the culture and music, and also, spread Vicente's music and his memory to all parts of the world. I definitely want to visit Mexico and hear more of this genre of music, already playing Vicente on my playlist after watching this show. Thanks Netflix and to all the actors for a great experience! So many great performances in this series that I cannot mention all the names but so many interesting characters played so well by many actors. I will now watch it over again as this show had me crying, laughing, all the emotions! Muchas gracias!
!!! Its great !!!
gentle_nenita15 September 2022
I love this movie!!!!! The story is intriguing! The cast w)as great!!!!! The very first episode had me hooked!!!! He suffered a lot of tragedies, but he persevered! He was an amazing singer!!!!! The score was so good! My favorite songs were el rey del monte and volver, volver, volver! An icon of Mexican rancheras!!!!! One of Mexico greatest musical legends!!!!! I'm proud to be a chicana!!!!! My father was a proud Mexican from Guanajuato!!!!! He listened to Vicente Fernandez every single day!!!!! Because of my dad, I know many of Chentes songs by memory!!!!! I've always loved his music and some of his movies were pretty good too!!!!! He paired to film a movie with Angelica Maria°° I lived it because Angelica Maria was my moms favorite Mexican woman singer and actress!!!!!
Singing was Horrible story line and acting was Good
salasv-7770318 November 2022
The singing was such an insult to vicente!. Horrible Horrible singing from teenage Vicente to adult vicente. The only semi good voice was the young boy playing Vicente.
I appreciate the actors trying to sing but it was just awful. The director did a horrible job in casting an actor with no vocals. The actors did their part in acting. They should have atleast had the double voice when the actors sung.
Story was fun to watch. You can tell the director add a villain to give his story line some spice over all I'd give it a 6 out of 10 if they would have had the vocals I would have given it a 8 out of 10.
I appreciate the actors trying to sing but it was just awful. The director did a horrible job in casting an actor with no vocals. The actors did their part in acting. They should have atleast had the double voice when the actors sung.
Story was fun to watch. You can tell the director add a villain to give his story line some spice over all I'd give it a 6 out of 10 if they would have had the vocals I would have given it a 8 out of 10.
El Rey
pereyraparalegalservices5 October 2022
I disagree with the negative review. I thought the series was beautifully presented. The music and singing was absolutely incredible and I loved it so much, I told all my family and friends to watch it. I was glued to the set until its conclusion. I loved Jamie Camil's performance and Sebastian Dante's the most. Both wonderful actors who depicted Vincente Fernandez perfectly. I also loved Marcela Guirado's performance. I was left with the impression that this man had one of the most difficult lives and yet against all odds, he was very pure of heart, loved his family and friends and put others first. What a great man! But behind every great man, is a great woman and his wife must have been very proud of him. I am a huge fan of Alejandro Fernandez and love his voice as well as his father's. Growing up with my own father being a Mexican singer, this movie was very special to me and I will want to watch it again. I hope these actors will win awards for their excellent work. Bravo El Rey!!! Julia Pereyra.
Is good but
xxpndk15 May 2023
Okay first the series is not so bad, the little kid is cute doesn't sing that good but very cute, the teenager really sings bad and then kind of annoying that he's the best, but not a deal breaker.
What bothers me the most is the story line times, 1976 Alejandro was born and in the same year he's introduced like 5 years old wow is a long long year. All his kids grew up like 6 years in age but time is frozen in 1976 that's so dumb.
Vicente thinks he's a god, Cuca Wonder Woman, so very exaggerated.
Jaime Camil is good the best of all three Vicentes, but still, then never showed what happened with the uncles or Cucas grandpa. Fix all that.
What bothers me the most is the story line times, 1976 Alejandro was born and in the same year he's introduced like 5 years old wow is a long long year. All his kids grew up like 6 years in age but time is frozen in 1976 that's so dumb.
Vicente thinks he's a god, Cuca Wonder Woman, so very exaggerated.
Jaime Camil is good the best of all three Vicentes, but still, then never showed what happened with the uncles or Cucas grandpa. Fix all that.
Expected More
solismiguel-8629019 September 2022
I'm a 32 year old Mexican man, I've grown up listening to Chente my whole life, and when I heard about this series and that Jaime Camil was cast as the lead I was excited, finally a series where we aren't depicted as narcos, or villains, finally a story worth watching. This series has potential and the actor who plays young Vicente is good, but aside from Jaime Camil they fell short on singing and personality the other actor lacks Chentes strong personality and his singing is cringe worthy at times, maybe a dub would have been better? The time jumps are also a little much it would be easier to follow if it was played out in order. For those 2 reasons I'm giving this a low score.
Eye opener
estergarciaclc25 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I always thought my father was Vicente Fernandez. The resemblance was striking. I was a fan because of my papi. I did not know the story of Don Chente and (not to spoil)... but of all the hardships he endured. Jaime Camil did a splendid job as the adult Vicente.
Sebastian Dante as Young Vicente Sebastian García as Teen Vicente Kaled Acab as Child Vicente All did a wonderful job in telling my beloved Vicente's story. If Chente personally chose Jaime to portray him.... What more do we want?
No one compares to Vicente and that voice! The story was wonderful and I truly hope we get a second season To continue this story. Way to go to all involved.
Sebastian Dante as Young Vicente Sebastian García as Teen Vicente Kaled Acab as Child Vicente All did a wonderful job in telling my beloved Vicente's story. If Chente personally chose Jaime to portray him.... What more do we want?
No one compares to Vicente and that voice! The story was wonderful and I truly hope we get a second season To continue this story. Way to go to all involved.
A good drama
yahaira-729-6947011 January 2023
I grew up Istening to rancheras as my mother was a fan and I love the mariachi singing, music, and the poetry of this culture. This may be a fiction based on El Rey's life, but its an interesting look at an artist's life in Mexico during the 50's and 60's and the Mexican culture based the history of life on the ranch. I agree with some of the reviews that the story line is confusing. The child actor Sabastion Dante is really charming and a talented actor. Perhaps the trauma of his early life was watered down regarding his father's drinking. The scenes when he encounters death are really interesting as it attempts to include the metaphysical aspects of the beliefs of the mexican culture. Vincent has close encounters with death, this may have shaped is character hopefully this story will explore this theme. I don't think its meant to be factual perhaps artistic license was employed. The king of the rancheras is a good story, I hope it gets better. Its good to see more international movies that add variety on netflix. Also biographical stories enrich our sense of latino culture not just crime and narco stories that are prevalent in movies these days.
An insult to El Rey.
j_gallegos-9144220 September 2022
I don't even know where to begin. Being a Hispanic from New Mexico, we grew up with the music of Vicente. With the voice of a powerful angel that could make grown men cry and women weak at the knees. To see such a life turned into a cheesy soap opera is a complete insult to Chente, his family and his fans. The mariachi music is beautiful but is soon drowned out by horrible voices and over dramatic poses. The acting was so depressing that I felt like taking a Xanax after each episode. This was not Vicente and wherever he is at, he's probably cringing. "Esto es lo que han hecho con mi legado?" Latinos are always typecast and this is why. We struggle enough to be taken seriously to begin with and we wonder why anything "Latin" gets ignored by the main stream media and the viewing public. Complete failure of a series and great disrespect to one of the greatest Mexican singers of all time.
A True Masterpiece
lizgonzalez201017 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Casting Jamie Camil, as El Rey, Vicente Fernández was a phenomenal decision! Thoroughly enjoying all 36 episodes expanding from his adolescent into adulthood. The casting crew did such an incredible job. Overall, this filmography gives an in-depth perception of the legend El Rey, de Mexico Vicente Fernández.
As (the audience) we see El Rey, from different 'points of view' within his lifetime. When the black suited Mariachi first appears, young Vicente is visibly confused at the figure causing us share his confusion. Although, he's still hopeful his cousin will wake up/is alive only if he's not forgotten. The next couple of interactions with the strange man causes his initial feelings of confusion to shift towards anxiety, depression, denial, guilt, bargaining, anger, and more depression. Remind you of any specific steps when losing someone? This twisted relationship with his Mariachi begins to mature as Vicente ages and has more encounters with losing loved ones.
Early on, we're presented with his father being beaten due to gamble debts but not a lot of drinking. From there, his fathers alcoholism is sort of downplayed within his adolescence and teenage years. As he ages, I believe Vicente starts to better understand the severity of his fathers alcohol abuse. When Vicente is younger he makes a promise to never drink. Inevitably, making this the only promise he ends up not keeping. I think as children we inherently know what's good and what's bad. In this child's mind, alcohol is bad but somewhere along his timeline his father (unintentionally) teaches him the only way to truly deal with life's struggles is to drink it away. Vicente watched his father beat (I'm insinuating) his mother, flee due to gambling debts, siblings in constant fear of their father, numerous relapses, and the constant humiliation his father has done, Vicente continues (mildly to moderately) gamble and over indulge in alcohol.
Unfortunately, I never met El Rey. My mother raised me on his music (blaring at 5 AM on the weekends) while she would clean. My parents were fortunate enough not only attend his concert but also meet the great legend.
Nevertheless, I believe El Rey would have been honored this mini series's depiction of his prestigious life. He was extraordinarily intelligent, skillful, humble, brave, kind-hearted, and a determined gentleman since a very young age. The network, production crew, and cast members celebrated, commemorated, and exquisitely depicted the of life of our Mexican legend, El Rey de Mexico, Vicente Fernández Gómez.
As (the audience) we see El Rey, from different 'points of view' within his lifetime. When the black suited Mariachi first appears, young Vicente is visibly confused at the figure causing us share his confusion. Although, he's still hopeful his cousin will wake up/is alive only if he's not forgotten. The next couple of interactions with the strange man causes his initial feelings of confusion to shift towards anxiety, depression, denial, guilt, bargaining, anger, and more depression. Remind you of any specific steps when losing someone? This twisted relationship with his Mariachi begins to mature as Vicente ages and has more encounters with losing loved ones.
Early on, we're presented with his father being beaten due to gamble debts but not a lot of drinking. From there, his fathers alcoholism is sort of downplayed within his adolescence and teenage years. As he ages, I believe Vicente starts to better understand the severity of his fathers alcohol abuse. When Vicente is younger he makes a promise to never drink. Inevitably, making this the only promise he ends up not keeping. I think as children we inherently know what's good and what's bad. In this child's mind, alcohol is bad but somewhere along his timeline his father (unintentionally) teaches him the only way to truly deal with life's struggles is to drink it away. Vicente watched his father beat (I'm insinuating) his mother, flee due to gambling debts, siblings in constant fear of their father, numerous relapses, and the constant humiliation his father has done, Vicente continues (mildly to moderately) gamble and over indulge in alcohol.
Unfortunately, I never met El Rey. My mother raised me on his music (blaring at 5 AM on the weekends) while she would clean. My parents were fortunate enough not only attend his concert but also meet the great legend.
Nevertheless, I believe El Rey would have been honored this mini series's depiction of his prestigious life. He was extraordinarily intelligent, skillful, humble, brave, kind-hearted, and a determined gentleman since a very young age. The network, production crew, and cast members celebrated, commemorated, and exquisitely depicted the of life of our Mexican legend, El Rey de Mexico, Vicente Fernández Gómez.
Beautiful story, cinematography, music
dellalitam2 November 2022
This is an amazing show. The way it is artistically filmed shows so much respect to the artist who is loved generation after generation.
Just the intro gives me chills. Brings back memories of my Grandfather singing these songs. The family is central to our culture and it is such a motivator in this series.
I dont want it to end! I know it has to. The actor that plays the small version of Vincente stole my heart. He is such a beautiful child actor! And if that is his actual singing voice I am STUNNED. The drama surrounding his rise to "El Rey" is phenomenally portrayed. Thank you for keeping it clean.
Just the intro gives me chills. Brings back memories of my Grandfather singing these songs. The family is central to our culture and it is such a motivator in this series.
I dont want it to end! I know it has to. The actor that plays the small version of Vincente stole my heart. He is such a beautiful child actor! And if that is his actual singing voice I am STUNNED. The drama surrounding his rise to "El Rey" is phenomenally portrayed. Thank you for keeping it clean.
Immediately hooked
bylrgrl19 October 2022
I appreciated the length of the series. It allowed for in depth character building. I enjoyed the Tarantino-like flashbacks that answer all your questions and demands your attention. I appreciated the small details, such as the "slang" spoken throughout. The series is a dramatization so of course there will be a few over the top scenes. I grew up listening to Chente and thoroughly enjoyed the music and singing. The youth and adolescent singing was not perfect, however it is just that, youth and adolescent singing.
In comparison to other attempts to recreate Mexican icon films or series, this one holds up better than most.
In comparison to other attempts to recreate Mexican icon films or series, this one holds up better than most.
Excellent presentation when you already know he made it
clopez-9129127 April 2023
I am extremely intrigued by this series, I truly enjoyed the fact that it is partially factual along with the touch of fiction, which provides that "movie" feel.
I am so captivated that now Mexico's TV is now making series on all of the Mexican icons of entertainment. I am truly thankful by this, especially when many of these shows have been completed around the time that our icons have recently died and some have been able to see them finalized before they get to their last breath. I respect the work, because it is a way of preserving the story of our icons in such an artistic manner.
Biographies can be boring sometimes when you already know what the end of the movie is, therefore, the fact that this show goes back and forth in time kills that internal impatience of getting to the part we already know what it is about.
In addition, I truly enjoy the touch of personality given to the artist from the very beginning, and how he never gave up his dreams and perseverance was always present. Weather the details are true or not, it is a wonderful way to value and appreciate the hard work of someone's life. Good job!!
Also, I forced my 8 year old child to watch this show so that he can practice his Spanish comprehension... he never knew anything in the Mexican music, and now has turned into a "Chente" fan, and sings "El Rey" while he walks around the house.
Lol, funny thing is... my child keeps saying his favorite part about this show is when Chente (Vicente Fernandez) is pertrayed as a kid.
I am so captivated that now Mexico's TV is now making series on all of the Mexican icons of entertainment. I am truly thankful by this, especially when many of these shows have been completed around the time that our icons have recently died and some have been able to see them finalized before they get to their last breath. I respect the work, because it is a way of preserving the story of our icons in such an artistic manner.
Biographies can be boring sometimes when you already know what the end of the movie is, therefore, the fact that this show goes back and forth in time kills that internal impatience of getting to the part we already know what it is about.
In addition, I truly enjoy the touch of personality given to the artist from the very beginning, and how he never gave up his dreams and perseverance was always present. Weather the details are true or not, it is a wonderful way to value and appreciate the hard work of someone's life. Good job!!
Also, I forced my 8 year old child to watch this show so that he can practice his Spanish comprehension... he never knew anything in the Mexican music, and now has turned into a "Chente" fan, and sings "El Rey" while he walks around the house.
Lol, funny thing is... my child keeps saying his favorite part about this show is when Chente (Vicente Fernandez) is pertrayed as a kid.
It's a good intention.
Manueltrejo26 September 2022
The acting isn't wrong in the direction and overacting. The script is... Weird. Too many flashbacks, and too many time lapses.
And the camera and post don't go with the times that hurt the chronology of the story.
Anyway, it's a good try. Sadly another "ya merito", the script writer it's going back and forward with moments, not concepts and descriptions and don't deliver, it's becoming confusing. The language is flat. Not good, the language is good sometimes that works with the year of the story. But sometimes is just off. Anyway, most of those I watch feel it has 5 directors on each episode. Is a shame. I could be better. The first part of this review was after watching the first 2 episodes, I kept trying but it just got worst. Vicente the kid, is a bad bad script where are just flashes of dumb things. The young Vicente, is overacted and all the female actresses look like models and the guys look bad. Is unreal. I'm just saying to be able to hold before Jaime Camil appears. He could save it all.
And the camera and post don't go with the times that hurt the chronology of the story.
Anyway, it's a good try. Sadly another "ya merito", the script writer it's going back and forward with moments, not concepts and descriptions and don't deliver, it's becoming confusing. The language is flat. Not good, the language is good sometimes that works with the year of the story. But sometimes is just off. Anyway, most of those I watch feel it has 5 directors on each episode. Is a shame. I could be better. The first part of this review was after watching the first 2 episodes, I kept trying but it just got worst. Vicente the kid, is a bad bad script where are just flashes of dumb things. The young Vicente, is overacted and all the female actresses look like models and the guys look bad. Is unreal. I'm just saying to be able to hold before Jaime Camil appears. He could save it all.
Óscar quality acting
savoirfairegnc17 January 2023
Fantastic series - great Production values and top notch acting, DP, Production Design, sets , location, in this period Film-( 1950's-1970's)
I'm a huge fan of Vicente Fernández and loved hearing his story- I loved the flashbacks and how the writers dug into his life story starting with him as a boy. The child actors and the teen boy were excellent and convincing.
Sebastian Dante was amazing and so likable. I loved him as the struggling but determined young man- he was so convincing - his father was an unforgettable character and his performance etched such conflict and loss that I can still see him - the mother portrayed the firm, supportive mother that was the foundation of the family - the whole family was memorable Jaime Camil was brilliant throughout with so many,many challenges - he showed us so much depth.
Both actors who played his wife Cuca had such demanding roles, I cried with them in their struggles.
I can't say enough about Enrique at SBS who played such an important role that he commanded the screen and was an actor of such strength he shone in that role - what a pro! Loved him.
All of Chente's team , like Renaldo, Chucho and Tico were excellent and memorable - so good!
The bad girl V is sneaky and evil and we won't forget her.
Even Vicente's kids did a great job.
I am recommending all my friends to see this show !
Just seeing the great architectural buildings, the apartments and casitas, the farms and countryside, fantastic sets and the beautiful vintage cars leaves a vivid memory.
Seeing that wardrobe with every person in colorful designs in real pre-polyester cotton fabric with the stylish pattern of the mid-century adds to an incredibly crafted authentic experience - and even the Pucci style dresses from the '70s.
After this stunning series I'm longing to ride one of those shiny vintage buses into those country and city locations into the past that seemed so real and so full of love and yes struggle and tragedy but the thrill of hearing Vicente sing and discover the magic of his heavenly , powerful unforgettable voice.
Yes, unforgettable always.
Bravo to the actors and the filmmakers.
Sebastian Dante was amazing and so likable. I loved him as the struggling but determined young man- he was so convincing - his father was an unforgettable character and his performance etched such conflict and loss that I can still see him - the mother portrayed the firm, supportive mother that was the foundation of the family - the whole family was memorable Jaime Camil was brilliant throughout with so many,many challenges - he showed us so much depth.
Both actors who played his wife Cuca had such demanding roles, I cried with them in their struggles.
I can't say enough about Enrique at SBS who played such an important role that he commanded the screen and was an actor of such strength he shone in that role - what a pro! Loved him.
All of Chente's team , like Renaldo, Chucho and Tico were excellent and memorable - so good!
The bad girl V is sneaky and evil and we won't forget her.
Even Vicente's kids did a great job.
I am recommending all my friends to see this show !
Just seeing the great architectural buildings, the apartments and casitas, the farms and countryside, fantastic sets and the beautiful vintage cars leaves a vivid memory.
Seeing that wardrobe with every person in colorful designs in real pre-polyester cotton fabric with the stylish pattern of the mid-century adds to an incredibly crafted authentic experience - and even the Pucci style dresses from the '70s.
After this stunning series I'm longing to ride one of those shiny vintage buses into those country and city locations into the past that seemed so real and so full of love and yes struggle and tragedy but the thrill of hearing Vicente sing and discover the magic of his heavenly , powerful unforgettable voice.
Yes, unforgettable always.
Bravo to the actors and the filmmakers.
An awful series, hard to watch 👎🏻
rosmar-5696520 September 2022
I rarely write reviews but I was so disappointed at this series that I had to. I was excited at first when I saw the trailers with Jaime Camil and thought, mistakenly, that if he was in it must be good. Anybody that is familiar with Vicente Fernandez, his story and his music will find this series hard to watch. The singing and voices are horrible, the story line at points is unbearable and packed with so many unnecessary "fillers" to make over 30 episodes. It's a shame because Vicente Fernandez was an amazing singer with an equally amazing life that could have been easily translated into a quality TV series. Unfortunately this one is by far one of the worst biopic I have seen, specially of such a beloved artist.
Horrible!
rlsins18 September 2022
Just hearing this guy sing makes me cry. It's horrible! Just disgusting! Anybody that knows any song from Vicente Fernandez knows that he was El Rey not just as a saying, he truly was El Rey. His amazing voice brought you to tears in a good way because it was so beautiful not because it was a shameful disgrace like the music portrayed in this crap Netflix series. I understand no one will be able to compare vocally to the man who could sing to a stadium without a microphone, but they at least should have tried. I've seen many reviews praising the series and the actor but in my opinion it's nothing but a slap in the face to Chente and his memory. To Mexicans, Hispanics and all those who knew his music I say watch tentatively. Not only will the sound of the songs make you cringe but also get angry at the audacity of the casting director to think he could pass this off as Chente. To those who don't know Chente or his music, watch it as the work of fiction it is because no part of this is reminiscent of the great and one and only Vicente Fernandez.
Very loosely about Vicente Fernández - Too much fiction and Fantasy to be a biography
pmurguiaw23 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I waited to see the entire series before writing this. I wanted to give it 8 out 10, but by the last episode I dropped it to 4. Don't watch it if you want a serious biography. Watch it if you want to hear a lot of Mariachis
It could have been remotely entertaining if it was not supposed to be about Vicente Fernández I am a fan of true biography. A little bit of fiction to make it more entertaining is ok, but this is more fiction than biography. As an example of a very good biography, you have the series Pablo Escobar - El Patrón del Mal. They sticked to the true events to the point of imitating the clothing worn by the characters in real life.
In el Rey the fiction became became fantasy.
Facts: I could not find any information of el Chente being with Somoza or retained in Nicaragua, or and most of the secondary characters (aside from his family) are fictional.
Fantasy: The character of Death dressed as a Mariachi is pathetic. Absurd.
Chronology: At the beginning I did not like all the back and forward in time between child, teenager, young adult, and adult, but now I see it was a good move. I could not stand the child and teenager singing! The best acting and story is with the young adult and adult. Furthermore, I confess I fast forward most of the child and teenager parts.
But with all the poetic license the series took with more fiction than truth, I have to say the actor did a superb job capturing the essence of el Chente: The artist, loving family man, the man who overcame hardships, the icon, a kind and generous man with a heart as big as Mexico.
It could have been remotely entertaining if it was not supposed to be about Vicente Fernández I am a fan of true biography. A little bit of fiction to make it more entertaining is ok, but this is more fiction than biography. As an example of a very good biography, you have the series Pablo Escobar - El Patrón del Mal. They sticked to the true events to the point of imitating the clothing worn by the characters in real life.
In el Rey the fiction became became fantasy.
Facts: I could not find any information of el Chente being with Somoza or retained in Nicaragua, or and most of the secondary characters (aside from his family) are fictional.
Fantasy: The character of Death dressed as a Mariachi is pathetic. Absurd.
Chronology: At the beginning I did not like all the back and forward in time between child, teenager, young adult, and adult, but now I see it was a good move. I could not stand the child and teenager singing! The best acting and story is with the young adult and adult. Furthermore, I confess I fast forward most of the child and teenager parts.
But with all the poetic license the series took with more fiction than truth, I have to say the actor did a superb job capturing the essence of el Chente: The artist, loving family man, the man who overcame hardships, the icon, a kind and generous man with a heart as big as Mexico.
Absolutely TRASH!
anikmiguel16 September 2022
I am Mexican-American..born in 1955. I grew up loving the greatest ever Vicente Fernandez. This movie is absolutely disgusting! Chente must be going crazy on the other side after watching this and other movies-series made in his honor. This Netflix trash wanted to bring the Vicente boy-tenager representation but failed miserably. Don't waste your time watching this trashy TV-series.....The casting is terrible. Vicente and Cuquita were much older than the ones displayed on this series when Vicente died. I gave this Netflix trashy series a miserable one star because there was zero star. So long Woke Netflix!
Falls waaay short of expectations
artgutierrez22 September 2022
Stating the obvious, Vicente Fernandez was one of Mexico's greatest musical icons. His tremendous voice, his charismatic personality, and his image was unquestionably LEGENDARY. So you would think that the makers of this series would pay close attention to cast actors that at least looked and sounded like him. Not so in this series. Such a travesty.
The only reason I give it 2-stars instead of 1 is because of the good selection of songs that play throughout the course of the series. However, the songs (which are by far inferior to the real Chente's voice) are not enough to overcome the terrible casting choices for the lead role.
Don't waste your time with this series. Just put together a playlist of songs of the real Chente to listen to and you'll be much better off.
The only reason I give it 2-stars instead of 1 is because of the good selection of songs that play throughout the course of the series. However, the songs (which are by far inferior to the real Chente's voice) are not enough to overcome the terrible casting choices for the lead role.
Don't waste your time with this series. Just put together a playlist of songs of the real Chente to listen to and you'll be much better off.
A disappointing homage to a once in. a lifetime Mexican icon.
ljgc-2659430 September 2022
There really needed to be more thought into how this movie celebrates the life of a once in a life time legend. The series is filled with cheesy phrases, confusing flashbacks, awkard camera transitions; overall very dull and not engaging at all. I'd compare it to giving rosa de guadalupe vibes if you had to compare something on Netflix. Casting for the main people also seemed off. Imagine getting any random person to play Elvis, that's essentially what happened here, so you really have to use your imagination. The supporting cast is probably the better part of this show as they actually fit the parts, and i would say characters at this point, they were meant to protray, although ny intention is not to bash these actors because they were really set up to fail with with what I assume was a rushed script. The theme or overall idea of each episode is highly emphasized and repeated pver and over, we get it he wanted to be a singer very young. Overall, it has alot of fluff and I cannot recommend this series. It was not engaging, I was not inspired, I couldn't even tell what was a Novela and what was a factual event in his life. Now if the intention was a comedic parody of what someone like Chente may have gone through then they did a heck of a job. Find the older movies Chente acted in instead, while extremely old, they are engaging, the music fits the scene and you'll get a nice story to some of the songs he sung.
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