In theaters June 18. On PBS later in 2021.
[Rating: Rock Fist Way Up]
Rita Moreno is an American legend. Winner of the coveted EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony), her career has spanned decades and her story is just as impressive as the woman herself. She has created a presence in Hollywood that for years went unnoticed and under-appreciated until 1961 when she landed a role in one of the biggest films ever, West Side Story, making her an international star. Finally, Rita gets to tell her story in Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It (directed by Mariem Perez Riera) in which she discusses everything from her Hollywood life, stardom, and newfound fame among this new generation of film and television fans.
Moreno, born in Humacao, Puerto Rico in 1931 and came to the United States and began to dance. In fact, her first dancing instructor was the uncle of actress Rita Hayworth, somebody Moreno idolized. Rita was also confused as Hayworth was born of two Spaniards, yet Hollywood effectively made her white-passing. This would become something Rita would soon have to face if she wanted to make it in Hollywood. Despite a brief and memorable appearance in Singin’ in the Rain (1952), Rita also starred in a number of films that cast her in stereotypical roles. She was either yellow-faced in The King and I (1956), a fiesty Latina in The Fabulous Senorita (1952) or a tropical beauty in Seven Cities of Gold (1955).
Rita describes her early Hollywood roles as daunting and tiresome. To big moguls like Louis B. Mayer, she was a sex-object who was easily replaceable. It wasn’t until the role of a lifetime in West Side Story that Moreno could embrace her heritage and her talents. Unfortunately, even the makeup artists decided to darken her skin. After the film became a massive success, it won Moreno the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
However, after filming, Hollywood still wanted to cast Moreno in stereotypical roles. As a middle finger to the industry, she left, participated in activism during the Civil Rights era, and built up her career again. Since then, Moreno has been featured on Broadway, memorable television roles that have spanned the decades (her episode of The Muppet Show is iconic), and new streaming platforms like Netflix. Rita is an in-demand actress STILL.
I loved this documentary of course, because I love Moreno. I had the good chance to meet her back in 2013 after seeing her in concert, and the woman has talent I could not even dream of. Her grace and beauty today shows that not only is she a wonderful role model for the Latinx community, but a role model to fight against and help bring about a change in Hollywood with the community, something still talked about and still needed today.
This documentary celebrates her life, her ups and downs and is a champion to show how relevant she still is. Rita Moreno literally just decided to go for it. She had to take many roadblocks to get there, but once she found her footing, the woman became a star.
Iconic Rita Moreno films and television programs I recommend: West Side Story (1961, she will also have a significant role in the upcoming 2021 remake!), This Rebel Breed (1960), The Ritz (1976), The Muppet Show (1976), and One Day at a Time (2017).
Christian Ramos is a classic film fan, having had the dream to host Turner Classic Movies for years now. He also has a large amount of Oscar trivia in his head, remembers dressing as Groucho Marx one Halloween, and cherishes the moment Julianne Moore liked his tweet.
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