Rita Moreno: Outspoken, laugh-out-loud funny, and the human embodiment of the American Dream. These are only a few traits that describe this trailblazing woman who shows no signs of stopping at 89 years old.
Through interviews with Gloria Estefan, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Morgan Freeman, Eva Longoria, and Moreno herself, Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It is an in-depth look at this iconic woman’s life. From her childhood to her rise to stardom, this documentary doesn’t hold back, and either does Moreno.
When you think of Rita Moreno, the first word that comes to mind is Icon. But becoming a household name isn’t easy, and as you’ll see, this documentary doesn’t hide the cruel world the budding actress had to face.
Her dream was to be an actress, and she stooped at nothing to achieve stardom. Unfortunately, her opportunities were limited. As a young woman who immigrated from Puerto Rico to New York, Moreno was typecasted and fell into booking monotonous roles that she came to despise. Throughout her career, she broke free of the box she was put in and paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
The film is filled with striking revelations that will leave your jaw on the floor. But it also shows the strength of a woman who stopped at nothing to fight for change.
Directed by Mariem Pérez Riera, Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It is an easy watch. The editing was brilliant, never losing pace and always moving forward. You get lost in Rita’s story as snippets from her most famous roles fill the screen. It’s heartfelt, funny, and fascinating. In the end, you’re left wondering, could her remarkable career have gone even further if the industry hadn’t tried to limit her?
Review: Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
Score
Review Nation Score
Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It is funny, heartfelt, and fascinating. It's a brilliant account of Rita Moreno's life that is expertly told.
