The Cuban bolero, not to be confused with the Spanish dance, is a Latin ballad form that spread all throughout the Americas, and even the whole world, that mixed and mingled with and influenced jazz in the 1940s and 50s. Chico & Rita celebrates this music, as well as the nightlife that made these sounds possible, through a stirring star-crossed romance that recalls the typical inspiration behind these songs. There are moments that do falter– like the way Chico tries to woo Rita back– but the familiar, if slightly cliché, beats work in this animation through a unique, thick-lined art style, and of course, excellent music. It’s no wonder it was the first Spanish full-length animated film nominated for an Oscar.
"Look past the crude lines, vivid colours and dynamic score, and this is middle-of-the-road romance."
— Adam Woodward
Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey - in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero - brings heartache and torment.
After meeting in a club in Havana, 1948, ambitious pianist Chico falls in love with Rita, a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice, leading to passionate, star-crossed romance scored by the Latin bolero ballad.
The animation looks fine, but the music… The music is so lovely and it’s a great fit for a film celebrating the Havana nightlife and the sensational Cuban jazz that shaped the era.
This was La La Land before La La Land, except it's with Cuban bolero instead of traditional jazz.
Oscars
1 nomination
European Film Awards
1 win
Goya Awards
1 nomination
