Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It - Enzian Theater

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Certified Fresh with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes!

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.

USA, 2021, 89 minutes, Rated PG-13, Directed by Mariem Pérez Riera

“Coming away from ‘Just a Girl,’ it's impossible not to be convinced that Moreno is the rare screen legend who found a way to stick the Hollywood landing.”
– Chris Willman, VARIETY
“A feel-good documentary about a life well lived. Mariem Pérez Riera has perfectly captured an American icon at the moment we need her the most.”
– Norman Gidney, FILM THREAT
“Not only an eye-opening story about old Hollywood but a testament to the vitality and integrity of an artist who is not showing any signs of slowing down.”
– Randy Myers, SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS
“Thanks to her infectious laugh and caustic sense of humour, as well as her honesty about what she's witnessed, we are treated to a welcome portrait of an artist who continues to radiate us with her talent.”
– Jason Gorber, POV MAGAZINE
“Serves as a powerful cultural artifact that will educate future generations of Latinos about a pioneer who survived and conquered a field unwelcoming of her.”
– Carlos Aguilar, THE WRAP
“Celebratory and highly entertaining…this archive-rich bio is a candid sit-down with a national treasure.”
– David Rooney, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

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