Oscar Movie with Abe: Chico & Rita

Chico & Rita
Directed by Tono Errando, Javier Mariscal & Fernando Trueba
Released February 10, 2012



One of this year’s surprise contenders for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature is the Spanish film “Chico & Rita,” which chronicles the romance between a Cuban singer and a Cuban pianist in the 1940s and 1950s. It smartly and beautifully combines traditional animation with jazz music, weaving a narrative surrounding these two musicians and their love for Cuban arts. Its story stretches considerably to include the separate move of each character to New York City to pursue their dreams, and the continued improbability of their ending up together. Its 96-minute runtime feels much longer, elevated by musical performances but often dragged down by minute plot points. When it showcases the emotion and love its protagonists feel for each other, it’s absolutely fascinating, and certainly a worthy animated achievement to honor as one of the year’s best.

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