Chico and Rita

It’s fair to say that Chico and Rita will have a bit of a particular audience, that of one that has a liking for animation, Cuban Jazz and dance, and love (won and lost). The film follows Chico, a piano player, and Rita (a singer) in late 1940’s Havana and their next sixty years together as on and off partners in the music world, as well as the bedroom (this isn’t a film for kids). The script is fairly smart, but does rely on one too many convenient coincidences. Another problem is that the characters of Chico and Rita themselves aren’t particularly lovable. In addition to this, the film is far too slow in places, but this will at least allow you to wallow in the gorgeous feel and look of the film. The hand drawn animation in this film is stunning and much congratulation must go to directors Javier Mariscal and Fernando Trueba, as this was truly a labour of love for them, shifting through many pictures of Havana at the time the film is set and then applying that actual look to the film. The Jazz soundtrack is also terrific, complementing the visuals, and the overall result is a film that truly evokes a certain time and place. Logistically, there’s no way a non-animated film could capture such things so perfectly. Is there an audience for this kind of film though? From the box office returns it appears not, but there must always be room for innovators like Mariscal and Trueba in the cinematic fraternity.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
The somewhat plodding story is superseded by the superb animation and foot tapping Jazz score, so weigh up carefully what you want from the film before you make the choice of seeing it or not. Rating: 6/10