Vanessa Burghardt, often known as Vanessa, is an American actress. Originating from the United States. Vanessa Burghardt has worked in the entertainment sector in Hollywood, and her artwork has appeared in English-language films.
She is famous for her role as Lola in Cha-Cha Real Smooth(2022). However, her life is mostly private, and she is not seeing anyone on her social media platform.
Cha-Cha Real Smooth
Cooper Raiff, who wrote, directed, and produced the Sundance film Cha Cha Real Smooth, said, “I thought it was really funny to have a 22-year-old who is not at all a man help little 13-year-olds become men at these bar mitzvahs.” It’s also a story about growing up for a 12-year-old, a 22-year-old, and a 32-year-old, he said.
In the story, Raiff’s character, Andrew, entertains a group of teenagers and falls in love with one of the kids’ moms, Domino, played by Dakota Johnson. Lola, who has autism and is played by Vanessa Burghardt, becomes close to Andrew when he takes care of her as a babysitter.
Here is her complete review of the movie:
Beginning To Dance
Respectability, a disability advocacy charity, and I advised on the film’s screenplay, casting, accessibility, and marketing. When I originally heard the notion, I feared it would be an updated Rain Man, where the autistic character “teaches” the non-autistic character to be less self-centered, more loving, or real. I informed the creative team about this Hollywood cliché at our first meeting. Disabled individuals aren’t a morality tale for non-disabled people.
After reading the script, I was pleasantly pleased. Teamwork occurred. The plot centrer on Andrew’s struggles as a college grad, looking for a job, and his flirty relationship with Domino. When Andrew babysits Lola, autism is best shown. She accepts because “he won’t treat me like a baby.” Infantilization is annoying, per Lola. Respect fosters trust. Andrew considers Lola’s potato masher collection fascinating, but the other kids think it’s crazy. They have an odd friendship.
Lola opens up as she gets to know Andrew. Andrew asks Lola whether he’s tired her by chatting and playing a game. Lola prefers an empty room to Andrew’s social life. The common distinction between autistic and non-autistic persons. Natural, real, and unpretentious dialogue about autistic burnout. It de-stigmatizes burnout and solitude. Lola isn’t “teaching” Andrew about autism; she’s sharing her experiences.
Andrew’s inquiry shows that Lola doesn’t have to ask for everything herself. Lola shows Andrew how to scratch her back before night by raking her fingers over her bed. He’s astonished by how firmly she instructs him to scratch. This moment illustrates Lola’s developing confidence in Andrew and how autistic individuals prefer to be touched. The film naturally discusses autism and its lived experiences. However, it doesn’t cover the whole movie or Lola’s character. Disability representation is as basic as scratching someone’s back; it’s not “unique.”
Join The Party
Cha Cha Real Smooth is a fun coming-of-age story about a girl with autism, and it also shows an important part of American Jewish culture. Cooper Raiff carefully ensures his movie will be a hit at Sundance. You like the characters and want other people to like them, too. Raiff’s performance of Andrew, a charming, lost, almost-adult man, pulls the audience along with ease and hard work.
Vanessa Burghardt’s acting and real-life experience as a woman on the autism spectrum shine through at different times. This shows how important it is to cast actors honestly and how much they can do. I can’t wait to see what happens next with Raiff and Burghardt. Overall, the movie will make you laugh if you’ve grown up, been to an awkward bar or bat mitzvah, are on the autism spectrum, or know someone.
