Chico & Rita (2010)

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.

Directors:

Tono Errando, Javier Mariscal

Writers:

Ignacio Martínez de Pisón, Fernando Trueba

Stars:

Eman Xor Oña, Limara Meneses, Mario Guerra

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Limara Meneses	...	Rita (voice)
Eman Xor Oña	...	Chico (voice)
Mario Guerra	...	Ramón (voice)
Jon Adams	...	(voice)
Renny Arozarena	...	(voice)
Blanca Rosa Blanco	...	(voice)
Jackie de la Nuez	...	(voice) (as Jakie de la Nuez)
Rigoberto Ferrera	...	(voice)
Ken Forman	...	(voice)
Ray Gillon	...	(voice)
Steve Harper	...	(voice) (as Michael Harper)
Lenny Mandel	...	Ron (voice)
Jorge Ryan	...	(voice)
Claudia Valdes	...	(voice) (as Claudia Valdés)
Claudia Valdés	...	(voice)

Storyline

Cuba, 1948. 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. From Havana to New York, Paris, Hollywood and Las Vegas, two passionate individuals battle impossible odds to unite in music and love.

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Plot Keywords:

piano player | piano | singer | cuba | love | 

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Taglines:

Beautiful, Seductive and Spellbinding.

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Genres:

Animation | Crime | Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

GKIDS [United States] Official Facebook

Country:

Spain UK

Language:

Spanish English French

Release Date:

19 November 2010 (UK)

Also Known As:

Chico i Rita

Filming Locations:

Escuela Internacional de Cine y Televisión, San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba

Box Office

Budget:

€9,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£81,172 (United Kingdom), 21 November 2010, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$20,654, 12 February 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$350,524

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,347,919

Company Credits

Production Co:

Isle of Man Film,CinemaNX,Estudio Mariscal

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Co-director Tono Errando is Javier Mariscal's younger brother.

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Goofs

The kitchen in which Chico and Rita eat kidney-bean soup is in the United States. However, a European-style electrical outlet can be seen clearly on one of the walls.

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Quotes

Chico: You look like a Yankee!
Rita: But i still like kidney beans...
Chico: I've seen you in magazines. You're headed for Hollywood, right? Aren't you tired of playing Miss Charming?
Rita: Don't you like me sitting by your side, eating kidney beans?
Chico: I like it so much, it frightens me...
Rita: What are you frightened of?
Chico: Same thing as you...
Rita: Why should i be frightened?
Chico: Of listening to your heart for once. Of leaving your cage and not finding your way back.
Rita: You really believe that?
[...]

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Crazy Credits

A Bebo.

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Connections

Referenced in Edición Especial Coleccionista: Los gemelos golpean dos veces (2011)

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Soundtracks

Allegro Moderato (Ebony Concerto)
Written by Igor Stravinsky
Performed by Chico & Rita New York Band

User Reviews

Absolutely wonderful and touching

As a big animation fan, I loved Chico and Rita, one of the most beautiful and most unique films I have seen recently. I also didn't care much for Estrella Morente, but that wasn't enough to be a massive problem. The film has one of the most unique visual styles I've seen not just in recent memory but perhaps even ever, and it looks gorgeous. Everything from the colours, sceneries and colours are rich in detail and beautiful on the eyes. Chico and Rita is a very musically rich film as well, with Cuban and Jazz music providing so much character to the atmosphere. The two titular characters are likable and engaging, the screenplay is good if nothing completely mind-blowing and the story is very touching. In conclusion, a wonderful film, animated or not. 9/10 Bethany Cox