Synopsis
Rita Moreno defied both her humble upbringing and relentless racism to become one of a select group who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award. Over a seventy year career, she has paved the way for Hispanic-American performers by refusing to be pigeonholed into one-dimensional stereotypes.
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Cast
- Rita MorenoSelf
- Lin-Manuel MirandaSelf
- Morgan FreemanSelf
- Whoopi GoldbergSelf
- Eva LongoriaSelf
- Justina Milagros MachadoSelf
- Gloria EstefanSelf
- Norman LearSelf
- Karen OlivoSelf
- George ChakirisSelf
Recommendations
- 100
San Francisco Chronicle
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It has a lot of star power: Spielberg, Gloria Estefan, Eva Longoria, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Whoopi Goldberg and her Electric Company co-star Morgan Freeman. But none outshine the feisty subject herself. - 91
IndieWire
This charming documentary is more than an IMDb-scroll come to life, avoiding the usual pitfalls of generic biopics thanks in no small part to Moreno’s surprising candor and vulnerability. - 90
TheWrap
At once an affecting celebration of a truly peerless icon and a critique of the industry that almost broke her, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It has the enormous responsibility of synthesizing the grandeur of a life well lived, bumps and all, and the unbreakable, giving spirit that took to get her to the pinnacle of respect and recognition. - 80
Arizona Republic
Moreno felt as if she didn’t have much worth as she struggled, she says. One of the most satisfying things about the film is that through decades of struggle she clearly has found that worth. It’s in her confidence, the confidence of someone who has come out the other end of a long struggle with the knowledge than nothing is going to get her down. You can’t get the best of her. It’s inspiring. - 80
The Hollywood Reporter
The film might be conventionally structured, but the singular ebullience and warmth of its resilient subject make it highly entertaining. - 80
Screen Daily
Mariem Perez Riera’s celebratory documentary covers the full sweep of Moreno’s seven decades long career but also addresses her significance as a trailblazing Latina woman and political activist. - 80
Variety
Coming away from “Just a Girl,” it’s impossible not to be convinced that Moreno is the rare screen legend who found a way to stick the Hollywood landing. - 80
The New York Times
Moreno is given full rein of her story, which doubles as a case study in the highs and lows of showbiz for a woman of color.
