Film: Being the Ricardos

 

GENRE: Drama, Biography
RATING: R for language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 11 minutes
PLATFORM: Amazon Prime
STARRING: Nicole Kidman (Bombshell, The Hours, Lion, Moulin Rouge)
Javier Bardem (Skyfall, Dune); JK Simmons (Whiplash, Spider-Man 2)
DIRECTOR: Aaron Sorkin (Molly’s Game, The Trial of the Chicago 7)
WRITER: Sorkin (West Wing, Social Network, A Few Good Men)
PLOT: A tumultuous week unfolds as news interferes with production of the latest I Love Lucy episode.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I love Aaron Sorkin.

STORY STUFF: I was riveted. Keep in mind that I adore Sorkin’s writing and the way he approaches behind-the-scene stuff whether it be a sports channel, presidential politics, sketch show, newsroom, app creation, baseball team, platform launch or courtroom trial. In this script, Sorkin is adept and jumping back and forth between the highly dramatic one week and scenes from the past with a small mix of episode segments to boot. While the three big things that week did not happen simultaneously in real life, it is some well-crafted drama to pull the viewers along. The dialogue is fantastic, as always, with most characters getting some really great speeches for their sizzle reel. I just love listening to the word play and rhythm; it’s mesmerizing for me.

ACTING STUFF: Those who thought Debra Messing from Will & Grace should have got the Lucy role need to see this film and realize why they were wrong. Messing does a great Lucy onscreen as Lucy Ricardo but I have a very difficult time thinking she could do what Kidman was able to accomplish as Lucille Ball, which is most of the time. Ball and Ricardo were reportedly vastly different from each other. I think Kidman nails it. Bardem is charismatic and captivating as Desi; he’s a treat to watch. Simmons is also fantastic as William Fawly who played Fred Mertz. He gets some great scenes, especially with Kidman. The whole cast is amazing. Another standout for me was Tony Hale (VEEP, Arrested Development) as exec. producer Jess Oppenheimer. It was so awesome to see him angry and not the consummate goof; he also gets a great scene with Kidman near the end of the film.  

ARTISTIC STUFF: It’s what you would expect in a Sorkin film. There’s some walk and talks, interestingly lit scenes and lots of time jumps. My only note was that the studio on filming day looked too dark, but maybe that was the mood he was going for.  

VERDICT: Five stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You are an Aaron Sorkin fan or liked I Love Lucy.
UPCOMING REVIEW: Matrix Resurrections