Cha Cha Real Smooth is a charmingly simple film that sneaks up on audiences in its handling of character relationships. It’s a testament to writer-director Cooper Raiff, in his third feature film outing, that he can find genuine depth in a premise that doesn’t seem like it will illuminate all that much. With a fantastic cast at the center, Cooper Raiff's Cha Cha Real Smooth is charming, tender, and incredibly sincere in its execution.

Andrew (Raiff, pulling triple duty here as the lead actor too) is a recent college graduate who is more than a little lost in life. Having a degree in hand doesn’t mean one has any of the answers to life or what’s next on the journey. Andrew moves back home and gets a job at a fast food restaurant. However, after attending a bar mitzvah and going to great lengths to ensure everyone has a good time, Andrew is recruited to become the community’s official party starter. It’s at the first bar mitzvah where he meets Domino (Dakota Johnson), the young mother of Lola (Vanessa Burghart), an autistic teenager. Andrew, who makes Lola feel comfortable in social settings, starts growing closer to her and Domino.

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Raiff portrays Andrew as a genuinely caring, sensitive guy. He offers advice to his younger brother David (Evan Assante) on first kisses, wants the best for his mother (Leslie Mann), and showers Domino and Lola with kindness. Even though it’s obvious Andrew feels something for Domino that goes beyond the help of a friend, Raiff’s writing and portrayal of their budding relationship is thoughtful and heartfelt, never veering into creepy or uncomfortable. His comedic timing is also wonderful and he imbues Andrew with an awkwardness that is the right amount of realistic without being over the top. Dakota Johnson as Domino is the opposite, and the actress showcases these differences by appearing composed, though her expressions and emotive eyes give way to something deeper. The supporting cast is excellent, building out a community of characters who are memorable and charismatic.

Domino and Andrew’s relationship is an interesting one. They’re both lost in their own respective ways. Domino is terrified of commitment because of her past and, despite being engaged to Joseph (Raúl Castillo), there’s a sense of freedom and safety she finds with Andrew; meanwhile, Andrew is trying to figure out what he wants to do in life and where his path will take him after college. In that respect, the pair’s dynamic works on various levels. Their attraction to each other makes things a bit complicated at one point, but Raiff explores the complexities of their relationship and as individuals in ways that develop both of them in an authentic way.

Cha Cha Real Smooth is, above all, a heartfelt film about self-discovery and the people who make an impact on one’s life despite not becoming a permanent fixture in it. Raiff deftly handles Andrew and Domino’s journeys and there is never a moment that feels disingenuous or contrived. The interpersonal growth and drama, the lessons learned and the outcome, are all sincere, thoughtful, and heartwarming in ways that will make the audience feel the depth of the characters’ emotions. Raiff captures how relationships can blossom through connection and how affecting they can be when the two people in question are both trying to take the next steps in their lives but are not quite sure how to do it. To that end, Cha Cha Real Smooth is a triumph in its exploration of its characters, and the honesty it brings to the forefront.

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Cha Cha Real Smooth premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. The film is 107 minutes long and is not yet rated.