Cha Cha Real Smooth – Film Review

Fresh out of college and without a clear life path going forward, 22-year-old Andrew is stuck back at home with his family in New Jersey. But if there’s one thing that belongs on his nonexistent résumé, it’s how to get a party started, which lands him the perfect job of motivational dancing at the bar and bat mitzvahs for his younger brother’s classmates. When Andrew befriends a local mom, Domino, and her daughter, Lola, he finally discovers a future he wants — even if it might not be his own.

There are few movies in 2022 that feel as authentic, wholesome, uplifting, comedic, and emotional as Cooper Raiff‘s Cha Cha Real Smooth, a coming-of-age comedy-drama film for adults that takes viewers for a brisk yet always intriguing ride filled with tons of substance and memorable moments.

Raiff is an up-and-coming talent to be sure. He previously directed a feature called Shithouse which garnered some good acclaim, but with Cha Cha Real Smooth, he as a real hit on his hands. It’s a story that despite following familiar beats of the coming-of-age, comedy-drama formula, still manages to keep you guessing.

The plot often zigzags around and goes to different places of Andrew’s life, showing us all of his emotions – good, bad, sad – just everything. Andrew spends the vast majority of his time working at a crappy corndog restaurant and wants to do something more with his life.

He feels as if his life could be so much better if he tried to make it better. He constantly looks for new jobs, while also working at a Bar Mitzvah party. It’s also there where he meets a girl he instantly swoons over, named Domino. She’s quite a mysterious person, which immediately intrigues Andrew.

The two start talking and, next thing you know, they hit it off like they’ve known each other for years and years. But this relationship isn’t as simple as it may seem. Throughout the course of the film, we learn more and more about Domino’s life, her past, and how she makes ends meet.

One of my favorite aspects of the film was the relationship between Andrew and Domino’s daughter, Lola. There is such a syrupy sweet quality to their dynamic that warmed my heart so much. Overall, the chemistry between these three leads – Cooper Raiff, Dakota Johnson, and Vanessa Burghardt – is absolutely stellar. Each actor brings their own sense of charisma and likability to their respective roles.

There are some instances, however, in which the film can take a disappointing nosedive into some genuinely non-realistic territory. The opening scene alone is so bizarre and off-putting to the point where it seemed as if the entire movie was going to be that unrealistic and jarring. Thankfully, that was not the case.

There are some hiccups along the way for sure, such as the overwhelming sense of familiarity the film has, as well as some wildly unrealistic moments, but all in all, Cha Cha Real Smooth serves as a wonderfully enjoyable comedy-drama from Cooper Raiff, whose name should be on everyone’s radar.