Review: Being The Ricardos

 

A week in the life of comedy legends Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) and Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) as they try to tape one week of their hit show while dealing with possibly marriage ending allegations. 

I was definitely one of those people that, despite loving Bardem and Kidman did a complete "...huh?" at their casting in this. I was honestly expecting this to bomb, but when early reviews came out telling us to trust the process, I decided to do just that.

I'm honestly shocked at how much I liked this. Bardem and Kidman are never once convincing as the Lucy and Desi I'm familiar with from all the I Love Lucy reruns I watched as a kid, but they're very convincing as two comedians in an Aaron Sorkin movie. His movies have always worked for me. They have an energy that I can't get enough of, and I have yet to dislike something he's written/directed. I know that's the not the case for everyone, but if you're a fan of his work, you'll probably like this too.

The best thing about this movie is the cast. Aside from our two leads, Nina Arianda, JK Simmons, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat and Jake Lacy are all wonderful. I loved how they bounced off of each other. The movie takes a bit of a documentary format, with older versions of Hale's, Shawkat, and Lacy's characters occasionally interjecting their thoughts to lead us to the next scene, and I thought that worked well. It's a great acting showcase for all involved.

Aside from the actors, the costumes and make up stand out as well. If you weren't on board with the initial casting announcement, don't worry. This is worth your time and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: A-

Memorable Quote: "How do you think I got to be a woman in comedy?" - Madelyn Pugh (Alia Shawkat)