HCA Gradebook: “Cha Cha Real Smooth”

Movie: Cha Cha Real Smooth
Plot: A young man who works as a Bar Mitzvah party host strikes up a friendship with a mother and her autistic daughter.
Cast: Cooper Raiff, Dakota Johnson, Vanessa Burghardt, Leslie Mann, Raúl Castillo and Brad Garrett
Director: Cooper Raiff
Release Date: June 17, 2022
Studio: Apple TV+
HCA Overall Grade: A

Sara Clements says, “Cha Cha Real Smooth is a charming and bittersweet look at post-grad life with an aimless flow that fits perfectly. Dakota Johnson and Cooper Raiff are so fun together with sizzling chemistry. Vanessa Burghardt’s performance can’t be understated. A sure crowdpleaser full of heart and humor.”

Grade: A

Ryan McQuade says, “Cha Cha Real Smooth is a deeply passionate, bittersweet comedy about not just finding your first love, but finding yourself and accepting the inevitable growth we all have to endure at one point in our lives. Raiff delivers a tender script and showcases tremendous chemistry with his costar Dakota Johnson, in the best performance of her career. Mix in a stunning debut performance by Vanessa Burghardt and a fantastic supporting ensemble, and you have one of the best films of the year so far.”

Grade: A

Therese Lacson says, “Cha Cha Real Smooth deftly navigates what it feels like to be in the in-between of a post-college life and your “real life”. From the aimlessness of a career to moving on from more juvenile relationships, Cooper Raiff captures the ennui of that age perfectly. His arrested development lead goes through a quiet arc of character growth, supported by his interactions with Dakota Johnson’s Domino and her daughter. A touching story about growing up, Cha Cha Real Smooth is full of potential.”

Grade: A-

Tessa Smith says, “A charming and delightful film, Cha Cha Real Smooth will hit home for plenty of people who feel like they’re barely making it through, but hopefully it’ll remind them that it’s OK. Raiff is already standing out in his early career, and he may be one of those rare young adults who does have some things figured out. While we might not know if that’s the case, what we do know for certain is he has a bright future ahead.”

Grade: A

Daniel Loria says, “Cooper Raiff shines in this charming—but uneven—comedy out of Sundance. The film works best when Raiff is on screen, excelling in a custom-made role, opposite of an equally spirited performance from Dakota Johnson. The effort is ultimately aimless, however, unable to work cohesively under an awkwardly structured script.”

Grade: B

Clarence Moye says, “Cha Cha Real Smooth is one of those sweet, smaller films that Sundance specializes in that may never be the best film of the year, but it isn’t one you’ll quickly forget. Its charms are apparent and abundant, and Cooper Raiff is a talent to watch. Dakota Johnson keeps giving stronger performances with each new film.”

Grade: A-

Cole Jaeger says, “Cha Cha Real Smooth is a heaping dose of Cooper Raiff, who writes and directs himself as a likable, charming, charismatic young gentleman who wears his heart on its sleeve. The approach risks indulgence, but I could not help but feel wrapped up in this warm blanket of a film. Sparks fly whenever Cooper Raiff and Dakota Johnson are on screen. It’s a funny, off-beat coming-of-age drama that will get viewers reflecting on their own lives and relationships.”

Grade: A

Rachel Wagner says, “It flirts with romance but the two don’t have chemistry, and as she’s engaged to another man it ends up feeling more awkward than swoon-worthy.”

Grade: C

Kevin Taft says, “Cooper Raiff is proving himself to be this decade’s answer to John Hughes mixed with a little Linklater. He tells engaging stories about young adults navigating life after high school and college that are both perceptive and truthful. “Cha Cha Real Smooth” proves once again he is not only a wonderful director of actors but a phenomenal screenwriter (and actor himself). His story and characters are not only funny and real but heartbreaking in their honesty. You can’t help but fall in love with everyone in his cast and root for them every step of the way. We don’t see a lot of crowd-pleasing comedy/dramas like this anymore, and I’m glad we have Raiff to bring them back. I can’t wait to see what he does next.”

Grade: A+

Erik Anderson says, “Cooper Raiff’s sophomore effort doesn’t suffer the sophomore slump. It’s a warm and funny and sweet late coming of ager with charm to spare from Raiff, Dakota Johnson, and a fantastic debut from Vanessa Burghardt.”

Grade: A-

Ema Sasic says, “Cha Cha Real Smooth will hit home for many who feel like they’re barely making it through, but hopefully it’ll remind them that it’s OK to not have life figured out. Cooper Raiff plays a relatable young man whose dreams, like many others, haven’t played out exactly how he envisioned after college. It’s a tale 20-something-year-olds will likely gravitate toward, and Raiff plays a charming young man we can’t help but root for. Dakota Johnson is as lovely as ever as Domino, a young, complex mother, and adds so much life to the role. The film will make you smile from start to finish.”

Grade: A

Mara Knopic says, “Cha Cha Real Smooth is a charming film that is smartly written and well-acted, particularly by leads Dakota Johnson and Cooper Raiff. The movie is very engaging and entertaining to me, as a Jew, and I am glad that it utilizes the backdrop of the Mitzvah circuit for this interpersonal story; the way in which the entire film is steeped in the Jewish community makes me feel represented and also serves as a vehicle to explore this world and the important cultural milestone for non-Jewish viewers. The characters and their relationships feel authentic and lived-in which endears the audience to them with ease. It is important to note that despite its success in many areas, the movie suffers slightly through its inexpert handling of the consequences to the autistic character at its close, though viewers without exposure/connection to persons on the spectrum are less likely to notice. Cha Cha Real Smooth is a movie that leaves you feeling good without the sometimes saccharine nature of ‘feel-good’ movies and is worth the use of 107 minutes.”

Grade: A-

David Gonzalez says, “Cha Cha Real Smooth feels like one of those “can’t miss films of 2022.” It’s not just one of the best films at the Sundance Film Festival this year; it may be one of the best coming-of-age stories once the year comes to an end. It’s further confirmation that Cooper Raiff’s first film, Shithouse, was not a fluke, and Raiff has the makings of one of becoming a great director in Hollywood.”

Grade: A

Francisco Cangiano says, “Saw this one earlier in the year and it instantly became my favorite from Sundance’s slate. Cooper Raiff’s sophomore outing as director/writer/actor is quite impressive, while Dakota Johnson offers some of her best work as well. One of the best films of the year, so far.”

Grade: A

Jana N Nagase says, “Cha Cha Real Smooth is a charming coming of age and heartwarming film. Cooper Raiff wrote a great script, full of the authenticity of it. Dakota Johnson delivers a depth and pure performance.”

Grade: B+

Peggy Marie says, “A few fun dance scenes didn’t equate to an overall good movie as it stumbles its way through sequences that didn’t add up. Older woman/younger man with some coming of age, mental health scenarios that never hits its mark.”

Grade: C

Patrick Beatty says, “The story is relatable and heartfelt, though the ending may make you believe this is a happy ending when it’s more positive and affirming than a storybook conclusion. I would say check this film out when you get a chance for the performances and light and comedic tone.”

Grade: B

Zoë Rose Bryant says, “Cha Cha Real Smooth is the comedy of the summer. A charming crowdpleaser with a sensitive and side-splitting script and an exceptionally cast ensemble, including the endlessly charismatic Cooper Raiff and a career-best Dakota Johnson.”

Grade: A+

Scott Menzel says, “Filmmaker Cooper Raiff continues to impress with his sophomore outing as a director. Cha Cha Real Smooth is a heartwarming and entertaining little film about a bar mitzvah party host whose outgoing personality creates an unexpected friendship with a single mother and her daughter. Dakota Johnson and Cooper Raiff are wonderful together but for me, it is Vanessa Burghardt who serves as the film’s MVP. The story here is very charming and even though it is somewhat predictable, the characters are so well-written and irresistible. Cha Cha Real Smooth feels like a step up from Raiff’s previous film, Shithouse, given the larger budget and a more noteworthy cast. Raiff really has a knack for creating small-scale films that showcase the talents of all those who are involved. I am not usually a Dakota Johnson fan but she really surprised me here. Cooper Raiff may never break into the mainstream but I’m okay with that. He is a great filmmaker who really loves telling stories that have just the right amount of drama, humor, and most importantly, heart.”

Grade: B+

Cha Cha Real Smooth is streaming exclusively on Apple TV+