Sundance Film Festival 2022, Report #2: CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH & AM I OK?

One of my takeaways from this Sundance run (and there have been a few) has been the confirmation that Dakota Johnson is having quite a moment! Last year, after the amazing The Lost Daughter, I didn’t expect her to continue her streak with two more lovable performances.

In my next report, I cover my double bill of films featuring performances from Johnson: Cha Cha Real Smooth and Am I OK? Friendship, identity, relationships (with others and ourselves) and realizing what it is you truly want in life, are just some of the themes in these two feel-good films. While they aren’t my favorites of the fest, they undoubtedly provide some much-needed levity, a departure from the heavier moments of 2022.

Cha Cha Real Smooth (Cooper Raiff)

Cooper Raiff returns to the screen in his sophomore effort, behind and in front of the camera, with Cha Cha Real Smooth. As a 23 year old recent college grad Andrew (Raiff) returns home to live with his mother (Leslie Mann), brother David (Evan Assante), and begrudgingly, stepfather Gregg (Brad Garrett). His intentions are to land a position in a nonprofit dream job, but instead, he’s stuck at a fast-food restaurant in a mall, dissatisfied and unsure of his calling.

When he attends a Bar Mitzvah and successively elevates the party, making more people dance and the young kids (and parents) participate and have fun, he finds that he has a knack for being a “party-starter.” Here he also meets the alluring Domino (Dakota Johnson) and her autistic daughter Lola (Vanessa Burghardt), who is often bullied and left out. He starts a flirty relationship with Domino and forms a real connection with Lola as he begins babysitting. Andrew is a romantic and despite the age difference it doesn’t take long for him to feel like he’s fallen in love with Domino. Her feelings, despite her immediate draw to Andrew, are more of a mystery, and Johnson plays the beguiling role with comical and emotional precision.

It’s a romance, drama, and a comedy, and a damned sweet one at that. Despite the humorous undertones, the film keeps up with its impassioned measure, as each of our leads struggles at different places in their life. Raiff wrote the screenplay as well and his comedic timing and romantic sensibilities, musing on love or life, are quite endearing. Cha Cha Real Smooth proves to be very winsome, and I can easily see it being a crowd-pleaser.

What does he want with his life? What is his path? Cha Cha is a coming-of-age story that we’ve seen and yet haven’t seen before, making it a welcomed addition to this emotionally-heavy Sundance lineup. Raiff and Johnson have wonderful chemistry, conversing with ease, making their attachment feel tangible even if it means different things to each. As such is the nature of life, and love.

In a lot of ways this is a film that’s more accessible to a wider audience. It’s definitely got an independent feel but feels universally apt. In some of its third act I thought the film could have wrapped earlier, and stretched itself a little too far, trying to tie things up nicely and gift those happy endings for everyone, letting us know, they would all be “okay.” Despite that, Cha Cha Real Smooth is a winner: charming, and sure to bring a smile.

Am I OK? (Tig Notaro, Stephanie Allynne)

Jane (Sonoya Mizuno) and Lucy (Dakota Johnson) are best friends that they know each other intuitively. Jane seems to have everything together: the boyfriend, the job, and now an offer to move to London to head up a new office. This news hits Lucy hard, despite her cheery disposition, and after a night of drinking, Lucy reveals that she is attracted to women. As the crux of the story, things begin to roll to action: Jane was making her way, finding her place, what was it that Lucy was holding inside?

Jane’s supportive and can’t believe she’s never told her or acted on it, and insists she get out there, even if she can be pushy in her tactics. She means well, a reliable best friend, but Jane lacks confidence for most of the film, generally uncomfortable in situations, anxious and unsure about herself and how others feel about her, so it isn’t easy for her to acclimate fast. This puts them each on their own trajectory away from each other as they figure out what they both want.

Am I OK? takes a tender approach to self-discovery and femininity that plays out in a witty and enthralling fashion. As a coming-out in your 30’s story, Am I OK? mostly works, but as a look at female friendship and identity, it manages to hit a lot more. The married co-directing team of Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne present their directorial debut, securing proof of their comic chops, while also feeling honest and wholesome. It makes for a naturally compelling and delightful picture even if it isn’t the best of Sundance this year.

In both Cha Cha Real Smooth and Am I OK? Dakota Johnson impresses her talent on the audience, showing she’s definitely got a lot more to give, and scenes with Sonoya Mizuno root the story in a place that never feels forced, with a friendship that seems genuine. When the end comes it isn’t unexpected, but its warmth will leave you with a lasting embrace. Even if the film seems familiar at times, it has enough heart to win you over.

More coverage to come!