Being the Ricardo’s
You know, I’ve heard it said that Hollywood likes movies about itself and I just want to come right in, raise my hand, and say “Me too!” I love films, or television shows, or books, any kind of media, about Hollywood. Especially old Hollywood. Things just seem to be more glamorous and high-class when seen in the lens of old Hollywood. I know there is major sexism and misogynistic activities linked with that period of time, but what can I say, I think I was born to be a working-man in the 1920’s. Sue me.
This movie gets across that feel of an old Hollywood-type movie without ever showing shots of old Hollywood or even being set in the era of old Hollywood. For those who don’t know, the film is centered around Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as they rehearse for and film an episode of “I Love Lucy.” Multiple different “problems” come to light and we watch as Lucy and Desi, played by
Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, respectively, adjust their lives and their show in light of these “problems.” The screenplay, by Aaron Sorkin, helped to get across that “old Hollywood” feel. To me, someone who has never lived through and experienced old Hollywood, but rather has just watched old documentaries and television shows and movies about it, it seems like a very busy and fast-moving place- which is ironic, considering Southern California is known for it’s lazy, vacation-like atmosphere. Aaron Sorkin uses the constant motion apparent in his writing to get across that busy and fast-moving pace in the film, which I love. I, personally, feel like his writing was great here, his directing was fine but was nowhere near the level of his writing. Last year, we all thought that the writing in “Trial of the Chicago Seven” was great, and it was great. I just feel like this writing was better and helped to enrich the story more than it did in Chicago Seven. If I were him, which I’m not, I would make films like this my niche and work on making this even better.
I've said it before and I’ll say it again that Nicole Kidman is a master actress. She can do anything she wants and I’ll probably enjoy it. I thought she was excellent here as Lucille Ball, and maybe not so great when she was playing Lucy Ricardo. Granted , I had JUST watched the episode of “Will & Grace” where Grace played Lucy Ricardo so I kind of had Debra Messing as my bar for Lucy. I heard several complaints about Nicole Kidman playing this role and how Debra Messing should have done it. I halfway agree.
If Debra Messing had done it, she would have done a great job as Lucy Ricardo but would really have had to be convincing as Lucille Ball. If she could be convincing as Lucille Ball, it would have been a powerhouse performance, for sure. I am just not convinced, though, that her acting is “up to par” enough to play both Lucy’s.
I thought Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz was great! I am not very familiar with Desi Arnaz (Ricky Ricardo) other than his name. All I know is that Javier Bardem did a great job!he is having quite the year, he was in this and Dune. Good for him! I look forward to seeing him as King Triton in the live-action “The Little Mermaid.” Other people I feel like I need to mention are: JK Simmons-whose character was just JK Simmons, Tony Hale-whom I adore and was so great as Oppenheimer, Alia Shawkat-who is so different from the character of Maeby from "Arrested Development" in this role, and Jake Lacy-who really doesn’t do anything special in this role, I just want his career to go well.
I’ve heard stories about Nicole Kidman being somewhat of a diva in real life and is unpleasant to be around. I never believed them because she just seems like such a sweet, motherly person that I never thought she could be a diva, even considering the illustrious career she has had. Watching several interviews about the film, though, I got the inkling that she might be more of a grumpy person than I have been giving her credit for. She didn’t do anything, in particular, just the body language of her and everyone else was giving me that sense. In one of the interviews I watched, though, she did make the comparison to how radio saved Lucy’s television career and how television saved Kidman’s movie career, once both women turned 40 and had basically “aged out” of their respective career fields. That is a beautiful, poignant, example of how Hollywood has not changed all that much in 60+ years, and brings more current relevance into the film.
I quite enjoyed “Being the Ricardo’s” overall. I quite enjoyed Aaron Sorkin's writing! His directing was, meh, but the writing, in my opinion, was first rate. I loved the world the film stuck us into and the individual stories it told. Nicole Kidman proved to be more of an asset than I was expecting. It was just a great cinematic experience and I recommend it to everyone, young and old.
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