Chico & Rita (Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal, 2010): Spain, UK

Reviewed by Nathan Coleman. Viewed at the Egyptian Theater, AFI Fest Hollywood.

A CinemaNX and Isle of Man Film production. Directed by Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal. Produced by Cristina Huete and Santi Errando.  With music by Bebo Valdez. Starring Eman Xor Ona as the voice of Chico, Limara Meneses as the voice of Rita, and Estrella Morente as herself.

Chico and Rita are both aspiring musicians living in pre-Castro Cuba. Chico is the best piano player around and Rita sings. They meet and, after a night of drinking and bar hopping, the two go back to spend the night at Chico’s apartment. However, Chico tends to lead an over the top love life and soon loses Rita. Despite this set back, the two pair up and win a radio contest where they rekindle their love. After, Rita is approached by a wealthy music producer. In a fit of jealousy, Chico storms out and soon finds himself being led home by an ex girlfriend, unaware that Rita is outside waiting for him. Rita agrees to leave to New York and begin her career as a singer, leaving Chico behind. When Chico also arrives in New York, the two proceed in a volatile love affair that continues  all over the world including Cuba, New York, Paris, Hollywood and Las Vegas. Mistakes are made as both characters struggle to come together through music and love.

This animated Latin love story can best be described as a Jazz soundtrack with  animation scattered in between, which is surprising when noting the production companies who backed the film. The narrative is desultory to say the least with many missing plots points. The film does, however, do an exceptional job of grasping the roots of  Cuban jazz culture while depicting prevalent class and race differences in the 1920’s. Without a doubt the most valuable quality in the film is the music. Fernando Trueba proves his talents yet again with a brilliant mix of classical and modern Jazz. Bebo Valdez (Chico on the piano) teams up with Estrella Morente (singing voice of Rita) to give an astounding performance. There are also appearances by Jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.

I would consider the film mildly entertaining, a slow “rags to riches” tale intertwined with a mediocre love story. Although the music would be quite entertaining for anyone with an ear for jazz, I would recommend waiting for the soundtrack to be released above all else.