Jan 23

Jan 23 Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Cha Cha Real Smooth'

Image courtesy of Sundance Film Festival.

An affable if aimless twentysomething tries to figure out post-college life in the charmer 'Cha Cha Real Smooth' (screening at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival).

In short: College graduate Andrew (writer-director Cooper Raiff) strikes up a friendship with Domino (Dakota Johnson), a mother and her autistic daughter Lola. Leslie Mann, Vanessa Burghardt, Brad Garrett, Evan Assante and Odeya Rush also star.

In most instances, a meandering story is a deathblow to any film - but it organically works for 'Cha Cha,' whose protagonist himself is at a crossroads in life where he's unsure what to do next in life. 'Cha Cha' is all about the lack of certitude that comes with stepping out into the world as a young person in his 20s. Andrew radiates improvised charisma - but no where to direct it. Likewise, the film itself doesn't telegraph exactly where it's headed - and it works because Raiff's film is confident in its protagonist.

That said, anyone looking for a rigidly laid out story told in three acts might not be satisfied with this personal and fleeting film. Some story aspects drop in and out of the script, with seemingly little affect on the overall story. For example, Andrew starts the film with a girlfriend studying abroad - but that plot thread gently fades into the background. The important thing to grasp is the effect that Andrew and Domino's chance meeting has on both of their lives. Their spark is undeniable - but because the story is told specifically from Andrew's perspective, Domino seems elusive. And Raiff's script smartly allows Andrew to come to his own naïve, romantic conclusions. 'Cha Cha' has no real antagonist to speak of - this is a witty if flawed protagonist wrestling with his own lack of direction in life.

Because 'Cha Cha' is a film more reliant on relationships rather than melodramatic plot twists, Andrew's sweet and naturalistic interactions with each of the supporting characters makes the film a pure delight. Andrew's chemistry with Domino is undeniable, but even more unexpected is Andrew's respectful and genuinely sweet friendship with autistic teen Lola, played by Vanessa Burghardt. She is the low-key scene stealer of 'Cha Cha,' with Burghardt's authentic and poised performance feel like a natural connection with Andrew.

Final verdict: Cooper Raiff's coming-of-age romance is a bittersweet snapshot of a young person overwhelmed by the future, searching for clarity where to take that next step in life.