How 'Gordita Chronicles' Captures the Immigrant Experience with Heart and Humor
Story written by Josie Meléndez Hernández
Rocío Guerrero, Global Head of Latin Music at Amazon Music
“So often, in the shows that explore Latinx families, we’re already three generations in, years after that first leap.”
Change can often be scary, and there’s something genuinely unsettling about the unknown. To pack up your family and move to a different country for a better life is brave. You’re not guaranteed a good start, yet many still do it anyway. For the Castelli family, this challenge was an opportunity to inspire us all.
HBO Max’s Gordita Chronicles centers around Carlota “Cucu” Castelli (Olivia Goncalves), a high-spirited 12-year-old Dominican immigrant. Cucu and her family left their comfortable lives in Santo Domingo to live in Miami in pursuit of the “American Dream” during the 1980s. Her father, Víctor Castelli (Juan Javier Cardenas), gets a job as a marketing executive—Vice President of the Latin American division, to be exact—with a large airline named Starboard Air. Her mother, Adela Castelli (Diana Maria Riva), sticks it out as a stay-at-home mom. Meanwhile, Cucu and her sister Emilia Castelli (Savannah Nicole Ruiz) trade in their private Catholic school for the United States public school system. Narration by Dascha Polanco also accompanies the show throughout the season. Polanco plays the unseen adult version of Cucu as she looks back on her life during the time of her family’s big move.
The pilot focuses on culture shock. Cucu realizes that “Gordita” is no longer the term of endearment she was accustomed to in Santo Domingo. In the United States, being gordita or a “fatso” is used as an insult against her, but that doesn’t phase her. She often comes off with a take-no-prisoners can-do attitude, as she never lets the haters get her down. That’s the best part of the show. It does acknowledge the fatphobia that often follows Cucu, but it doesn’t revolve around her body image. It’s about her and her family, their challenges, and the wonderfully creative ways they can make the most of the moment.
Much of the show’s charm is reminiscent of One Day at a Time (2017) and The Baker and the Beauty (2020) as it navigates family dynamics in a different country. However, we can see the change with Gordita Chronicles as it happens. So often, in the shows that explore Latinx families, we’re already three generations in, years after that first leap. Here, we witness their move as they relocate in real-time because of Victor’s new job, and not everything is as it once seemed. Victor makes less money than he was expecting. They have to settle in at a motel until they find a comfortable home in a more communal apartment complex, bursting Adela’s bubble as she dreamed of having a lovely house with a white picket fence and manicured green lawns. We’re able to compare what they had and what they gave up, but we can also witness what they gained slowly.
There’s also the added element of the series taking place in the 80s, specifically 1985 for the first season. Despite being set in Miami, most filming took place in Puerto Rico. This adds to the show’s charm as it connects to viewers from different backgrounds. Those from Puerto Rico, such as myself, may often feel delighted at noticing landmarks familiar to them. Cubans might be able to laugh along with every Cuban character’s prayer for Castro’s eventual death. There’s a quick back and forth between Adela, her Colombian neighbor, and her Cuban neighbor, whose country makes the better coffee. Dominicans will be able to identify with the proud identity of our leading characters.
One of the most notable details that genuinely stuck with me was the relationship between Victor and Adela. It’s delightful to see not only Latinx representation but also a Caribbean couple with a positive relationship. You see how they uplift and support each other every time. So many shows quickly add romantic conflict to create drama and intrigue, but their respectful and collaborative partnership is the most significant appeal.
The best moment is in the sixth episode, directed by Ilana Peña and arguably one of the best of the season, where Victor proves to be a Dominican man who’s not good at baseball. But his wife Adela is, and he’s proud of it. Adela also consistently mentions how he bought her a mango tree and read her poetry to win her over before they got together when they were younger. Adela and Victor show us how a healthy and loving relationship should be.
Gordita Chronicles itself is inspired by the life of the show’s creator, Claudia Forestieri. Born in Puerto Rico of Dominican-Italian descent and then having moved to Miami, her childhood is a big draw for the narrative. It is evident throughout every moment, considering how personal and warm it all feels. Throughout the ten-episode run of the first season, it’s interesting to see the family face struggles, stereotypes, and discrimination while still being able to maintain a wholesome and often uplifting tone. There’s also a sprinkle of cut-throat comedy, unafraid to be wickedly socially conscious.
The first season of Gordita Chronicles is now available to stream exclusively on HBO Max. The series is produced by Claudia Forestieri, Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz, Eva Longoria, and Zoe Saldaña, among others.
Rating: 8/10