Movie: Chico & Rita
Release Date: February 10, 2012 (NY)
Studio: Luma Films (GKIDS)
Director: Fernando Trueba, Tono Errando, Javier Mariscal
Screenwriter: Ignacio Martínez de Pisón, Fernando Trueba
Starring: Mario Guerra, Limara Meneses, Eman Xor Oña
Genre: Animation
Official Website: ChicoandRita.com
IMDB Rating: 7.1
Story: Chico and Rita is a Spanish animated movie, focusing on two deeply flawed, yet loveable, people and their chaotic relationship over a fifty-year period. Set in Havana, the film takes on the backdrop of the ‘40s jazz scene. Moving from Cuba to New York, via Las Vegas, Hollywood and Paris, Chico and Rita is an epic tale of love and heartbreak.
The animation style is tantamount to unique, and I cannot think of any worthwhile comparisons. The colours are vibrant and the drawings often intentionally crude (especially the backgrounds), but there is a strong element of realism to it. Where the visuals shine are the distant shots of cityscapes, along with the incidental shots during transition scenes. There are a fantastic spectacle and are genuinely impressive, there can be no doubting the vast amount of hours that went into this project. The animated lighting also looks great, and at times it is a pure feast for the eyes. While it would be nice for that to be a blanket statement, unfortunately it is not; the style isn’t as effective during close-ups, with the lack of small details pertaining the characters to display an absence of emotion. The colour palette is excellent, and the technique utilised puts this in the foreground. Hence there is also an element of style over realism, an observation rather than a criticism.
The whole film is extremely stylish from start to finish, and this is embodied by the music. The soundwork of the piece is probably its most important aspect, and that is not exclusively considering the jazz score, which is absolutely wonderful. The incidental sound is expertly done; from the waves lapping on the rocks outside a Cuban apartment to the hustling streets of New York, it contributes to making the experience far more engrossing.
The characters of the piece are thoroughly convincing, and it is a nice touch to include animated visions of many famous jazz musicians. The voice-work that drives them is perfect, with no week links amongst the cast. While the plot is relatively engaging, it never quite moves at a steady pace; sometimes it seems a little jumpy and overly quick, other times it can be a little dull. This is largely down to some sloppy editing, and they could’ve improved the film by a good margin if more care had been put into that particular stage of development.
Chico and Rita is a very good film, but it’s not quite a great one. Yes, the animation is at times striking, but I’m not sure it’s apt for an entire feature. The plot is compelling, but the ending, which I’m sure is supposed to be a happy one, feels more sad than intended. The film never quite strikes a good balance between realism and fantasy, usually jumping from one to the other in different scenes. However, there is more than enough here to make Chico and Rita a worthwhile cinema experience. The character’s flaws make them seem more human, the music is brilliant and there are a few breath taking visual instances that need to be seen on the big screen.
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