BEING THE RICARDOS

 

Hollywood loves making films about figures of its incredibly decorated past, a chance for studios and filmmakers to venture back to the supposed golden era of Hollywood that is a very distant memory from today's landscape. Aaron Sorkin, as one of the most acclaimed writers working today, brings the era to life so brilliantly but is his direction strong enough to make this the next great biopic? 

A revealing glimpse of the couple's complex romantic and professional relationship, the film takes audiences into the writers' room, onto the soundstage and behind closed doors with Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) and Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) during one critical production week of their groundbreaking sitcom I Love Lucy. 

Being the Ricardos hits the ground running in spectacularly snappy fashion from Sorkin, opening with interviews from both the showrunner and writers of I Love Lucy that set up the film's narrative so brilliantly, jumping back to the first day of such a tumultuous week for the power couple of the piece. Sat for a table read of the show's latest episode, we are introduced to each main player with a conversation about the major talking point of the moment and there's characters taking petty little snipes at each other as well as J.K. Simmons' William Frawley just openly speaks his mind no matter who he may insult. It's a great opening that settles you into the narrative so seamlessly. 

Sorkin doesn't lay up for the entire film, his dialogue being as good as you'd expect and only being done utter justice by such a superb ensemble cast. It's the direction where Sorkin falters a little, which was what held The Trial of the Chicago 7 from being truly great, the film being in the hands of a more experienced director potentially elevating it to a higher level. It's another very good notch on Sorkin's directorial belt after Molly's Game and The Trial of the Chicago 7 however, all three could have been better. 

The 50s era of Hollywood is brought to life so intricately to ensure Being the Ricardos has such an authentic feel to it. The wonderful production design alongside the great work on the costumes and hair and make-up plays a major part in settling the viewer into their surroundings, as if actually watching a true behind the scenes look at a week amidst the production of an episode of I Love Lucy. 

What really does elevate Being the Ricardos are the performances of all involved but in particular the two leads. Nicole Kidman's Lucille Ball may appear as a difficult woman to work with but her determination and ferocity to have a voice on a show in which she's the star makes for some compelling scenes throughout. Kidman most definitely proves she's not to be underestimated this awards season. As her marital and professional counterpart, Javier Bardem is exceedingly charming and charismatic as Desi Arnaz, ready to put his foot down to defend his wife when required. J.K. Simmons and Alia Shawkat are the best of the supporting cast, Simmons as their co-star and Shawkat as a writer for the show. 

While Aaron Sorkin delights again with his dialogue performed by a stellar cast, his direction feels incredibly formulaic which is something I hope he can improve on because then we might get a truly great film written and directed by Sorkin. 

Verdict: ★★★★