Cha Cha Real Smooth

Apple TV+ | Release Date: June 17, 2022

6.7	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Ratings

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TVJerryJun 20, 2022

This is certainly the definition of a vanity project: Relative newcomer Cooper Raiff wrote/directed and stars in the leading role. He plays a somewhat aimless 22 year old, who befriends a single mom (Dakota Johnson) and her autistic daughterThis is certainly the definition of a vanity project: Relative newcomer Cooper Raiff wrote/directed and stars in the leading role. He plays a somewhat aimless 22 year old, who befriends a single mom (Dakota Johnson) and her autistic daughter (Vanessa Burghardt, who is). Of course, their friendship tries to blossom into more. Raiff is affable and energetic, which translates into the mood and style of his direction as well. Johnson is warm and smiling, while Burghardt is gently sweet. Raiff's scenario is also abundant with clichés and his dialogue is seldom original. There is an earnest charm that may affect those looking for a sentimental coming-of-age semi-romance, so you could say that Raiff's vanity project wasn't all in vain.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Mal81Jun 19, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Honestly any movie that looks at relationship infidelity as an okay form of character development just flat out loses me. Great acting and writing spoiled by a “oh she’s just finding herself so cheating is okay” moment.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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JLuis_001Jun 18, 2022

The real problem I've had in recent years with many similar indie films is that what used to feel like genuine, full-bodied stories now feels extremely calculated.

And that's crucial for this film, especially because its premise is about aThe real problem I've had in recent years with many similar indie films is that what used to feel like genuine, full-bodied stories now feels extremely calculated.

And that's crucial for this film, especially because its premise is about a young man trying to find himself, and it's surprising that for all the situations the script puts him in, many of which feel artificial, the character is basically the same at the beginning as he is at the end.

It's a basic journey of character building about lessons to be learned, as you share your worries and your hurts with the people you encounter along the way. Nothing new.

Is it bad? In the most explicit term, no. But it's completely inconsequential.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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bertobellamyJun 21, 2022

'Cha Cha Real Smooth,' written, directed, co-produced, and starred by Cooper Raiff, feels more like an exercise in self-indulgence than one in exploring youthful tribulations.

The story follows Andrew, a young recent graduate who doesn't'Cha Cha Real Smooth,' written, directed, co-produced, and starred by Cooper Raiff, feels more like an exercise in self-indulgence than one in exploring youthful tribulations.

The story follows Andrew, a young recent graduate who doesn't know what he wants from life. When he starts working as a party starter, he meets a mother and his autistic daughter. Soon, an emotional bond emerges between all of them, and Andrew will have to decide if this is what he wants for his future.

The film can be seen as a romantic comedy, but more like a coming-of-age that tries to show an apparent existential crisis; however, Raiff's proposal is affected by a series of questionable narrative decisions.

Andrew's characterization leaves a lot to be desired. It's hard to empathize with a guy who's usually rude to his stepdad, who's looking to fit in with the family; that gets irritated at the possibility of infidelity, but only when he's the victim; that pretends to be the savior of a woman who doesn't need saving. For all this and more, the script makes us wonder if it was his ego talking.

Completely ordinary and only funny for a few moments, 'Cha Cha Real Smooth' doesn't have much to say. We could see it as a masculine but inferior version of 'The Worst Person in the World,' in which a real and sometimes raw conflict is evident. Here, we have to deal with an annoying guy who still lives with his parents and who has no aspirations in life other than to be "cool."

Dakota Johnson is not bad, but her character is not convincing at times. Her "seductress" appearance and the inflection of her voice are just symptoms of the manly dream that Raiff wants to represent here.

'Cha Cha Real Smooth,' big winner at the last edition of the Sundance Film Festival, is another one of those boring and irrelevant feel-good movies, like 'CODA,' that pretend to offer an important lesson through a digestible and supposedly funny story.

I was thinking of giving it a 3, but the 4 is OK just for the soundtrack, although the songs make no sense at all within the story.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Mauro_LanariJul 3, 2022

(Mauro Lanari)
Is there any perverse explanation for the fact that the Jewish community representing itself either as agents of the Mossad or as a concentrate of DSM-5 psychiatric cases? Gerontophiles, bipolar, depressed, autistic, messed up,(Mauro Lanari)
Is there any perverse explanation for the fact that the Jewish community representing itself either as agents of the Mossad or as a concentrate of DSM-5 psychiatric cases? Gerontophiles, bipolar, depressed, autistic, messed up, disoriented: masochists?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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RohmoSep 20, 2022

I appreciate the sincerity even if I didn't really connect with it as a whole.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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adamtaylor792Jul 17, 2022

Hey have you never seen a movie about a guy who comes home from college and doesn't know what to do with his life? This movie might be for you. If you have seen any number of other movies about listless 20-somethings, this will just seemHey have you never seen a movie about a guy who comes home from college and doesn't know what to do with his life? This movie might be for you. If you have seen any number of other movies about listless 20-somethings, this will just seem derivative and boring.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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