Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It is a 2021 American documentary film, directed, produced, and edited by Mariem Pérez Riera. The film follows Rita Moreno, focusing on her early life and career. Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Michael Kantor serve as executive producers.
In July 2019, it was announced PBS would produce and distribute a documentary film revolving around Rita Moreno with Norman Lear and Lin-Manuel Miranda were set to executive produce.[3]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 29.[4] In March 2021, Roadside Attractions acquired distribution rights to the film, and set it for a June 18, 2021, release.[5] It grossed $264,626 by the time it completed its theatrical run on July 29, 2021.[6] It became available on DVD and streaming on July 16, 2021.[7][8][9] It was later broadcast on American Masters on PBS on October 5, 2021.[10][11] As of December 7, 2021, it still remains available for free on Netflix and can be purchased or rented on streaming services.[12][13][14]
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 95% based on reviews from 109 critics, with an average rating of 8/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "An affecting profile of screen legend Rita Moreno, Just a Girl is at once a sharp critique of the industry's crushing inequities and a beautiful homage to an artist who never backed down despite the odds."[15]
