Flashback Friday Moment of The Week: 4/16/2021

by Just Juan
1196 views 2 min read

According to Triumphs & Tribulations XIII, on this very day in 2013, I was kicking back on the sofa, flipping through the Netflix catalog on my computer and I saw what appeared to be a cartoon movie poster with black characters…highlighted by a woman wearing a yellow dress. That brings me to this week’s moment in the Flashback Friday series: Chico & Rita.

How I first came across this moment? As I just mentioned, I came across the film on April 16, 2013. I had TMO coming the next day to pick up my stuff as I was in the last 3 weeks of both the South Korea assignment and my military career. It was a Monday night and I didn’t have anything going on.

What it meant to me then? I was actually very intrigued upon the 1st look. The lead male character—Chico—is a part-time shyster, part-time musician and he happens to fall head over heels for the lead female character—Rita—who is performing at a club in 1940s Havana, Cuba. I really like how they fall for each other and their chemistry was undeniable. It was a really good film…very accurate for the time period. I really liked how the story evolved and wasn’t your cookie-cutter romantic film.

What it means to me now? Chico & Rita is one of my favorite films. Whenever I see it on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or IMDb TV, I always stop and watch. It’s one of those films that just shows you something different or touches you in a different way every time you see it. And if I’m being truthful, it should’ve won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 84th Academy Awards. You’re not going to get me to say that Rango, Puss in Boots, and Kung Fu Panda 2 were better films.

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