Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)

Delightful Relationship Comedy/Drama - Cha Cha Real Smooth review by GI

An amiable comedy drama that is actually rather delightful. Written, directed and starring Cooper Raiff who plays the somewhat depressed Andrew, a 22 year old post graduate who's girlfriend has gone to Spain and he's been forced back to the family home of his mother (Leslie Mann), stepdad (Brad Garrett) and younger brother (Evan Assante) with whom he has to share a bedroom. In a dead end job and wanting to follow his girlfriend without a clear invitation to do so he becomes depressed but finds he has a talent as a 'party starter' at the Bar Mitzvah's in the local neighbourhood. There he meets the beautiful Domino (Dakota Johnson) and her autistic daughter, Lola (Vanessa Burghardt). Befriending Lola he also falls deeply in love with Domino who is engaged to the very serious lawyer, Joseph (Raúl Castillo). Raiff has a screen persona that some might find a little too much to bear but he plays Andrew as a young man who hides his personal issues and offers those around him the friend that many yearn. I found him a humorous and uplifting character even though the story takes him through levels of sadness that make the film a tender and at times moving experience. Johnson is note perfect and makes all the right moves as the slightly enigmatic Domino, she's arguably one of the most exciting actors working today, and between the two of them they make this film really work. It's charming and very watchable.