Sundance Film Festival 2022: Cooper Raiff and Dakota Johnson Star In The Charming Cha Cha Real Smooth
Following his debut film Shithouse, Cooper Raiff premieres his sophomore film Cha Cha Real Smooth at Sundance Film Festival 2022. Written, directed by, and starring Raiff, the coming-of-age film follows him as aimless college graduate Andrew who has no real plans after returning home. When he starts bringing his younger brother to the rounds of Bar Mitzvahs in his community, he suddenly finds success as a party starter, leading to a new part-time gig. At one of the Bar Mitzvah parties, he meets single mom Domino (Dakota Johnson) and her autistic daughter (Vanessa Burghardt) and they form a bond. What develops is an exploration of relationships, figuring out who you are, and that awkward in between stage before adulthood.
Cha Cha Real Smooth expertly examines the layered relationships between its characters in a meaningful way. We see the way Andrew’s younger brother David (Evan Assante) looks up to him as a guide, the opposites attract pull between Andrew and Domino, and the way he connects with Domino’s daughter on her own level. Cha Cha Real Smooth feels reminiscent of The Wedding Singer for a new generation and the film takes a frank and direct approach to its conflicts, with characters who are vulnerable and likeable even in their worst moments. Raiff delivers a charming performance and solidifies himself as a filmmaker to watch. The film also stars Leslie Mann, Odeya Rush, and Raúl Castillo.
Cha Cha Real Smooth won an audience award following its Sundance premiere and got the biggest deal to come out of the festival this year, being picked up by Apple TV+ for $15 million.
See Pop Culture Planet’s Best of the Fest, below:
