Movie Review: Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
As far as screen legends go, there aren’t too many that are as understandably revered and beloved as Rita Moreno. The exquisite documentary, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It, deftly explores the appeal and charisma of an actor whose career spans seven decades and never ceases to amaze and entertain.
The film follows Moreno throughout her storied career, as she emerges from her humble beginnings as an immigrant from Puerto Rico to become one of the more celebrated actors of the last seventy plus years, eventually earning the rare distinction of being an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) Award winner. The film follows a linear path as it begins with Moreno recalling an idyllic life on a Puerto Rican farm before a five-year-old Rita emigrated to America with her mother.
After studying dance and several performances on Broadway, Moreno caught a break when she was cast as any ethnic minority needed by the studio in whatever film they were making (be it a Native American, Polynesian, or Egyptian). Then, in 1961, she became the first Latina actress to win an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in West Side Story. Despite this success, she continued to suffer through roles wherein she was cast as stereotypical ethnic minorities before finding a career renaissance of sorts through her work on television in shows like Oz and the One Day at a Time reboot as well as the upcoming remake of West Side Story.
The film also explores the struggles that Moreno overcame to become the resilient star she is today. There is an examination of the well-documented, and somewhat disturbing, romantic relationship she had with Marlon Brando as well as the various, and often distressing episodes of systemic racism and abuse that she endured throughout her career. Still, her resolve and talent helped Moreno to overcome all of this adversity as she continued to break barriers and, later in her career, work as an activist for a variety of political causes.
While Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It, is a decidedly positive piece, it is by no means a simple highlight reel of the celebrated actresses career. The mood of the entire film never feels like a nostalgic look back at a once great artist, but more of a promise that the best is yet to come.
Mike Tyrkus
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