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

PG-13

Released Jun 18, 2021

1 hr. 30 min.

Documentary

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List

96%

113 Reviews

Tomatometer

93%

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

Audience Score

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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Nancy

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/05/21

Full Review

Aaron G

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/21

Full Review

Dina M

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/04/21

Full Review

sshoemaker305

Wonderfully done movie !

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/21

Full Review

Wendy S

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

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/21

Full Review

Eric G

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!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/28/21

Full Review

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Mariem Pérez Riera

Director

Rita Moreno

Self

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Self

Norman Lear

Self

George Chakiris

Self

Morgan Freeman

Self

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Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It: Trailer 1

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Emma Fraser

Little White Lies

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

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2021

Full Review

Leslie Felperin

Guardian

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.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 1, 2021

Full Review

Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

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

Jun 22, 2021

Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Moviefone

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.

Feb 13, 2024

Full Review

Cody Dericks

Next Best Picture

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

Rated: 7/10

Jul 7, 2022

Full Review

David Reddish

Queerty

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.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 13, 2022

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Michael Kantor, Lyn Davis Lear, Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Regina K. Scully
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: WNET, ACT III Productions, Maramara Films, Artemis Rising Foundation
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
Sound Mix: Stereo

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