Best to dance away from 'Cha Cha Real Smooth'
I’m not sure how much you know about booking bar/bat mitzvah entertainment, but it doesn’t happen—at least, it didn’t in the Chicago area; I guess I can’t speak for New Jersey—by spotting some fun 20-something at someone else’s party and asking if he can emcee your event next weekend. That this is how Andrew (writer-director Cooper Raiff) spends a flailing post-graduation summer is but one of many times that “Cha Cha Real Smooth” comes off as phony and obnoxious rather than charming and spontaneous.
Of course there is an attractive mom named Domino (played by Dakota Johnson) who is neither available nor resistant to the charms that the filmmaker mistakenly believes his character possesses. Of course there is a beautiful old pal (played by Odeya Rush) who casually hooks up with Andrew and wonders if her life has peaked (is there a more cliche way for a young dude to write a hottie?). Of course Andrew bonds with Domino’s daughter Lola (Vanessa Burghardt), who is autistic and mostly an opportunity for Andrew to show how good he is with kids. (Andrew also has a brother 10 years his junior, played by Evan Assante, and this relationship feels honest and sweet and not just a plot device.)
Raiff’s previous film, “Shithouse,” brought an open-hearted and amiable tone to a story of collegiate discovery. His latest feels like Zach Braff trying to make “Adventureland,” with all the lack of freshness and insight that implies. Last time around Raiff suggested that he could do it all; this time he’s 0-for-3, bumbling his way through an annoying main character and a script that doesn’t really seem to know anyone or care about the growth each one might achieve as an individual or through the collective experience.
That doesn’t mean “Cha Cha Real Smooth” always trips over itself. The film periodically works as a snapshot of people in transition, who won’t be in each other’s lives for long but can make a significant impact for a little while. The way Andrew stands up to adolescent bullies and maintains a certain upbeat goofiness despite numerous frustrations and uncertainties can’t help but feel uplifting.
He’s also a clueless doofus in a movie that thinks we’ll find him lovable and is just wrong. You have to miss the sign for funny by about 1,000 miles to lead chants of “WAP” with kids. Taking a lead from its title, “Cha Cha Real Smooth” goes very, very easy on its people and its overly sweetened, pre-digested lessons. It’s one of few movies specifically not recommended by 3 out of 5 dentists.
C-
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