Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It

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Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It

PG-13

2021

1h 30m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

96%

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112 Reviews

93%

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Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

Over a 70+ year career, Rita Moreno defied both her humble upbringing and relentless racism to become a celebrated and beloved actor, one of the rare EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) Award Winners of our time. Born into poverty on a Puerto Rican farm, Moreno and her seamstress mother immigrated to New York City when Moreno was five years old. After studying dance and performing on Broadway, Moreno was cast as any ethnic minority the Hollywood studios needed filled, be it Polynesian, Native American or Egyptian. Despite becoming the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award for her role as Anita in "West Side Story" (1961), the studios continued to offer Moreno lesser roles as stereotypical ethnic minorities, ignoring her proven talent. RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT illuminates the humor and the grace of Moreno, as well as lesser-known struggles faced on her path to stardom, including pernicious Hollywood sexism and abuse, a toxic relationship with Marlon Brando, and serious depression a year before she emerged an Oscar winner. Moreno's talent and resilience triumphed over adversity, as she broke barriers, fought for representation and forged the path for new generations of artists.

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Critics Consensus

An affecting profile of screen legend Rita Moreno, Just a Girl is at once a sharp critique of the industry's crushing inequities and a beautiful homage to an artist who never backed down despite the odds.

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Emma Fraser

Little White Lies

Dec 6, 2021

4/5

Hollywood still has much work to do, but Moreno rightly gets her flowers.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

Dec 1, 2021

3/5

Overall, she emerges just as vampish, feisty and fun as you'd expect, and as a gracious giver of speeches at ceremonies where she collects endless lifetime achievement awards, her biggest side-hustle next to acting.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

Jun 22, 2021

The documentary is rich in archival clips, but mostly it's just rich in her -- and Moreno is tons of fun.

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Marya E. Gates

Moviefone

Feb 13, 2024

Ultimately a story about persistence in the face of discrimination, the film exposes the festering wounds of Hollywood’s racist past to show the systematic issues, like colorism, that are still in play today.

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Cody Dericks

Next Best Picture

Jul 7, 2022

7/10

Its title may seem overly lengthy, but by the end of the film, it's clear why that phrase truly applies to Moreno.

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David Reddish

Queerty

Mar 13, 2022

3/4

At 89, Morenos petite frame still radiates star charisma and vitality. Viewers will come away from this film feeling like Moreno didnt just live life; she earned it.

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Nancy

Jul 5, 2021

Loved the movie. It was a very honest portrayal of Rita Moreno's life. She didn't hold back. Times were different then but she takes the time to self-assess her responses to events in her life and her responses. I would recommend this movie to others, particularly Latina women.

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Aaron G

Jul 5, 2021

An inspiring film! She's an amazing woman with an amazing story. Every parent should take their daughters to see this movie!

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Dina M

Jul 4, 2021

It was very good. I really enjoy biographies and true stories. I did not like the parts where she would be in her dressing room as an older lady and she would turn on her TV. I did not like that they showed her watching the Brett Kavanaugh hearings with the woman testifying who brought sexual allegations. Moreno made comments. I did not like those political interjections they did not have to show that. It would have been a great movie without that.

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sshoemaker305

Jul 2, 2021

Wonderfully done movie !

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Wendy S

Jun 29, 2021

Was a great movie. I learned a lot about her that I had no idea of.

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Eric G

Jun 28, 2021

Absolutely AMAZING story of the life of Rita Moreno! Some things I didn't know about her, but makes me want to meet this Wonder Woman! A definite for any fans of this EGOT winner!

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Mariem Pérez Riera

Director

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Self

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Synopsis

Over a 70+ year career, Rita Moreno defied both her humble upbringing and relentless racism to become a celebrated and beloved actor, one of the rare EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) Award Winners of our time. Born into poverty on a Puerto Rican farm, Moreno and her seamstress mother immigrated to New York City when Moreno was five years old. After studying dance and performing on Broadway, Moreno was cast as any ethnic minority the Hollywood studios needed filled, be it Polynesian, Native American or Egyptian. Despite becoming the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award for her role as Anita in "West Side Story" (1961), the studios continued to offer Moreno lesser roles as stereotypical ethnic minorities, ignoring her proven talent. RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT illuminates the humor and the grace of Moreno, as well as lesser-known struggles faced on her path to stardom, including pernicious Hollywood sexism and abuse, a toxic relationship with Marlon Brando, and serious depression a year before she emerged an Oscar winner. Moreno's talent and resilience triumphed over adversity, as she broke barriers, fought for representation and forged the path for new generations of artists.

Director: Mariem Pérez Riera
Producer: Brent Miller, Mariem Pérez Riera, Ilia J. Vélez-Dávila
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: WNET, Artemis Rising Foundation, Maramara Films, ACT III Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Mature Thematic Content|A Sexual Reference|Suggestive Material)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 16, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $263.2K
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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