EL CANTANTE — ** — Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez; with English subtitles (Spanish dialects); rated R (drugs, profanity, sex, vulgarity, violence)

"El Cantante" hits several of the low points in the life of pioneering Salsa music singer Hector Lavoe. But it glosses over many — if not all — of the high points in his too-brief life and music career.

Consequently, this musical biography is very nearly a joyless drag. In fact, the only thing that makes it watchable is the musical performance of singer-turned-actor Marc Anthony, who plays the late Hector.

Co-screenwriter/director Leon Ichaso (2001's "Pinero") attempts to show how the singer — real name Hector Perez — went from humble beginnings as a street performer in his home country of Puerto Rico to international star.

Upon arriving in the United States, Hector is paired with musician Willie Colon (John Ortiz), and the two men blend their influences (Latin American sounds and New York jazz) to create their musical concoction.

Ichaso also tries to explore the relationship between Lavoe and longtime love Puchi, played here by Anthony's off-screen wife, Jennifer Lopez.

The film might seem more fresh if not for a glut of musical biographies, and this one pales in comparison to Oscar-winners "Walk to Line" and "Ray."

And strewn throughout "El Cantante" are some irksome, faux-documentary elements, with Lopez unconvincingly playing Puchi in her older years. (And her on-again, off-again accent suggests she's been watching too many Rosie Perez movies.)

Anthony is better. He's got charisma, despite the film painting Hector in an unflattering light. If nothing else, Anthony makes the film's soundtrack worthwhile, re-creating a handful of Hector Lavoe's biggest hits, including the title track (written by Ruben Blades).

"El Cantante" is rated R for drug content (marijuana, cocaine and heroin use, and references), strong sexual language (profanity, crude slang and other sexually suggestive talk), simulated sex, lewd dancing, and some domestic violence. Running time: 106 minutes.

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