There’s a lot of forgettable romantic comedies, probably more so with That Nerd Show since it’s not something we really cover, but we do love heartwarming films even if there’s a romantic element to it. And this week I found myself not being able to look away and enjoy watching a movie with heart, honesty, and what I like to call, a true love story because not every love story works out. Sometimes you fall in love and you don’t end up the girl or the guy. Cooper Raiff’s film, Cha Cha Real Smooth is probably one of the more honest films that I have come across and I wasn’t disappointed. You can watch it on Apple + and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
The story is about a young man fresh out of college try to find his way in the world and after having moved back with his mother and stepdad, find work hosting Bar Mitzvahs when he makes them more entertaining than the parents putting them on. There he meets an older woman with an autistic daughter and strikes up a friendship that eventually leads to love. Unfortunately, she’s already engaged to someone else. But what’s unique about this story is his main friendship is not necessarily with the mother, but with the autistic daughter who he helps babysit and then becomes someone that the daughter can rely on when she can be very picky. There are two stories going on, his friendship with the daughter and how it affects his life especially as a big brother when he’s trying to offer sage advice to his younger brother about women and then the mother he falls in love with.
As I said it’s a very heartwarming story and Cooper Raiff does an amazing job not only as writer and director, but as the lead actor portraying a man who doesn’t quite have it full figured out, but accidentally gets inspired by the love for someone he really can’t have. This movie is made great by the performances of him and Dakota Johnson and also, the introduction of Vanessa Burghardt who plays the autistic sister, Lola. Plus, Andrew’s mom who is also bipolar, played by Leslie Mann and the Lovable Brad Garrett who plays the stepdad. I don’t know if I would characterize this movie as a happy movie, but heartwarming and honest. There are moments that make you laugh and cry, that’s a good thing, but more importantly will make you feel that life is still going to work out even if it’s not how you expect it or want it to work out. Happiness is out there and sometimes we just have to find it, especially if we’ve been searching in the wrong place. I think feel that’s the main theme of this film.
There isn’t anything I can really complain about, the pacing is good, and the film doesn’t drag especially when you get to the most honest scenes in the film. All characters are likable, even Joseph, the fiancé when you’re not necessarily rooting for him, but you find that he’s not a bad guy at all. I think Jewish families will connect to this film a lot more especially with their experience of how it portrays the cutthroat world of Bar Mitzvah parties. If there’s one thing about the film that I could critique then it is sometimes the scenes with the two brothers in the bedroom at night linger too long and even though the filmmakers mean well with these poignant conversations between the brothers, they’re not the most important part or help drive the story when the most important relationships are between the characters of Andrew, Domino, and Lola. But they are sweet scenes
Overall Cha Cha Real Smooth is an adorable film marked by great performances from an outstanding cast. It’s a heartwarming story that makes you root for the everyday guy who doesn’t always get the girl and sometimes we need on the stories like that. Love is great, but you don’t always end up with the girl or the guy and that’s okay! But my hats off to Cooper Raiff for making a film full of heart that we can all relate to. And Dakota Johnson is always at her best when she portrays characters that are imperfect and not a sexy even though she herself is gorgeous. She is at her best playing characters that are struggling to figure it all out and have a lovable innocence…. the everyday girl or the girl next door if you will. I would say that the casting in this movie is what makes it almost perfect and worth watching.
