Being the Ricardos Review – Brilliant, Enjoyable, Entertaining

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Category: Film

Published on Monday, 31 January 2022 22:51

Written by Janet Walker

Being the Ricardos, from Aaron Sorkin and Amazon Studios, brings to the screen an enjoyable trip back in time to when Lucy and Desi ruled the airwaves and the single week that nearly toppled the empire they built.

The film begins with the interviews with the showrunner, Jess Oppenheimer, played by John Rubenstein, and both comedy writers, Marilyn Pugh, played by Linda Lavin, and Bob Carroll, Jr., played by Ronny Cox, who, in retrospect, lay the foundation surrounding the week that almost sank Desilu productions and could have become a footnote in history and another casualty of the Committee.

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Then we are in the living room of Lucy, played by Nicole Kidman, and Desi, played by Javier Bardem. With a copy of the gossip rag on the table, a picture of Desi and an unknown female, a headline that points to his infidelities, sharp words from her, he calms her fears soothing her with sweet love words, passion erupts and suddenly the radio announcer is explaining the biggest star in television had testified in secret session of the Hollywood communist witch hunt.

We cut to Monday morning's table read. Vivian Vance, played by Nina Arianda, is screaming about the committee forcing a seven-year-old to sign a loyalty agreement. William Frawley, played by J.K. Simmons, is reading the paper, the writers, Marilyn Pugh played by Alia Shawkat, and Bob Carroll, Jr., played by Jack Lacy and the showrunner, Jess Oppenheimer, played by Tony Hale, are waiting for the stars to arrive.

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Upstairs in Desi Arnez's office, Lucy, and the entire CBS big deals team, along with Phillip Morris reps, lawyers and the PR for someone, are all explaining the implication of the testimony at the House for Unamerican Activities and in an ominous tone, the head of CBS television Howard Wenke, played by Clark Gregg, said, "We'll know if this blows over if we tape a show Friday."

Soon after we are at the table read with Lucy and Desi, and as they begin the read, she pauses and in black and white she envisions the show. Meticulous, and attentive to every detail, she stops and starts the read and the rehearsals to the dismay of the director, Donald Glass, played by Christopher Denham.

Throughout the week, which is slated on screen, Lucy becomes increasing agitated as the entire show, and their careers rest on the whim of the Committee, whose intent was to destroy the most affluent industry in the world.

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We also see the backstory behind how "I Love Lucy" came into existence, and the gumption that Lucy portrayed in demanding her husband be cast as Ricky. Dedicated to show business, Lucy was a contract player at RKO studios and to hear it explained, she stuck her head in the frame, and then exited, for ten years.

Finally scheduling problems with headline talent landed her the lead opposite Henry Fonda in The Big Street. It was her opportunity to show the world her talent, and she did, so much so that RKO dropped her contract. With the suggestion of radio, she moved on leaving RKO behind her. Not long after CBS television sat in the studio audience and liked her work. The rest, they say, is show business history.

Being the Ricardos is an entertaining nostalgic look at Hollywood during a dangerous, revolutionary, and transformative time. Aaron Sorkin has taken his brand of non-fiction storytelling and expertly presented a layered look into the lives of Hollywood's power couple of the 1950s and all the obstacles they confront and those which confronted the industry.

Being the Ricardos is receiving critical acclaim for writer-director Aaron Sorkin, and stars Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem.

Entertaining and enjoyable, Being the Ricardos offers a behind the scenes look at Hollywood's Golden Age from a master of storytelling. Available on Amazon Prime, see it.

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Country: USA.

Language: English.

Runtime: 125minutes.

Director: Aaron Sorkin.

Writer: Aaron Sorkin.

Producer: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch.

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Nina Arianda, J.K. Simmon, Linda Lavin, Alia Shawkat, Ronny Cox, Jack Lacy, Jeff Holman, John Rubenstein, Tony Hale, Clark Gregg, Christopher Denham.