It's more about how Andrew and Domino will converse their way out of the dependency they've built. Even when Andrew is feeling defeated, Raiff digs deep and heaves wholesomeness like a life raft that we float on, soaking every lesson Andrew learns.Ĭha Cha Real Smooth doesn't waste massive amounts of time on will-they, won't-they tension outside what's necessary for certain scenes. Andrew smiles through most of his heartbreaking and weary interactions as Raiff redefines what it means to deliver a feel-good performance. Heat radiates off the screen as Dakota Johnson and Raiff flirtatiously share intimate confessions over colorful ice pops or while waiting for rideshares. The chemistry between Raiff and his supporting cast never ceases to please, whether Andrew's heart-to-hearts with autistic actress Vanessa Burghardt as the precious Lola (excellent in her banter), or giving Evan Assante's David kissing advice with such giddy sibling excitement. Raiff plays Andrew with such astonishing warmth and heaps of misguided mess-ups, but always with this calming openness. The character of Andrew is, was, or will be so many of us - flaws, aspirations, emptiness, and all. Two people seek genuine companionship when their paths cross and time is against them, making memories they'll remember - they'll cherish - for the rest of their existences. Letting that be alright is important and healing. Andrew's and Domino's feelings may be honest, but they're chasing immediate comforts in uncomfortable times. Characters are allowed to be messy, have open conversations, and not feel shame for being terrified of futures either destined for marital routines or unknown in a haze of young-twenties explorations. Instead, Raiff focuses his beam-of-sunshine screenplay on finding nuggets of positivity in a somewhat impulsive whirlwind of events. If Cha Cha Real Smooth were a Lifetime headliner or regular studio rom-com, it'd likely be about Andrew whisking Domino away from some loveless, crusty engagement. Fate luckily intervenes when Andrew takes David to a bat mitzvah and becomes a professional party host, where Andrew strikes a temptation-filled connection with parent Domino (Dakota Johnson) and a cute buddy rapport with her autistic daughter, Lola (Vanessa Burghardt). Cha Cha Real Smooth captures every out-of-college kid's worst nightmare, where there are no full-time job projects, just a mall food court gig selling meat on a stick - colorful vendor's storefront and all. Leslie Mann plays Raiff's mother with limitless maternal sweetness, while Brad Garrett's serious-and-sour face is flawless in response to incessant insults thrown from Raiff's Andrew, a particularly protective son. Raiff writes, directs, and stars as Tulane graduate Andrew, who goes from dormitory keggers to sharing a room with his brother, David (Evan Assante), in his stepfather, Greg's (Brad Garrett), house.
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