Being The Ricardos

[Steve Williams]

Being the Ricardos - Official Trailer | Prime Video​

Streaming free on Amazon Prime. We watched it last night. Seems that Nice Kidman has been pretty much in charge of her own acting roles as she once again is Executive Producer as she portrays Lucille Ball. It was an interesting story and told many things of which I was unaware. As always the make up and costuming were big factors in the believability of this 2 hour and 15 minute movie. Having said that the star in this film was Javier Bardem who I thought played the role of Desi perfectly. His accent was right on but more than anything he actually can sing and play the bongo drum. Also J K Simmons plays Willliam Frawley and his characterization was also very good.

Even though the movie was long it dwelled on Lucy being pregnant with Little Ricky and how Ricky wanted the season to be about Lucy having a baby. Their sponsor Philip Morris finally agreed and that was the end of it as her children played no part in this film

Nicole Kidman looked stone faced and out of character as she tried to portray Lucy

Another enjoyable but not great movie

 

[spiritofmusic]

And Steve, is that the point? Was Lucille Ball unhappy during this phase, the contracted artist sweetness and light to the world, but tortured behind the scenes?
Or was this an affectation or take that diverges from the truth?
If it's the latter, then it's woke Hollywood again taking liberties with events in history to make the point it wants to make.
Or is Nicole badly miscast? Too much method acting?

 

[Steve Williams]

Marc

i Have no idea. Ask the Executive producer if she was miscast.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Sorry, I thought you were more knowledgeable about that aspect of the story, and thus could provide some perspective on the tone of her performance.
Tbh I can't imagine any fans wanting to see Lucy played as a downer, and she'll be of no interest to anyone under 40.
So, what's the point?

 

[Steve Williams]

Most of her stone faced sullen look had to do with Ricky cavorting with all of the ladies in Hollywood. She filed for divorce after the last episode of the series was filmed

 

[dminches]

I have yet to watch the movie but from what I have read part of the "plot" was to show a very serious woman played a very funny person on TV. That is, there was a big contrast between real Lucy and TV Lucy.

 

[still-one]

It was an enjoyable but not great movie. I thought all four of the main characters were pretty good.

 

[audiobomber]

I never believed Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball. Her face, voice and manner didn't convince me for even a second. The role was originally supposed to go to Cate Blanchett, who is a much more talented actress and would have done it justice, IMO. Bardem was very good, but too old for the role.

Despite the critique above, I found the film intriguing and enjoyed watching this little slice of Lucy's life.

 

[still-one]

Actually when they showed Kidman "acting" as Lucy during scenes from the show, her mannerisms and voice sounded very similar to the Lucy we saw on TV. I am guessing that the other Lucy Kidman portrayed, the one who was smart and a pretty good business person, and also the one the public never saw, did not act goofy away from the set, so we do not know what she sounded like.

 

[Steve Williams]

Actually when they showed Kidman "acting" as Lucy during scenes from the show, her mannerisms and voice sounded very similar to the Lucy we saw on TV. I am guessing that the other Lucy Kidman portrayed, the one who was smart and a pretty good business person, and also the one the public never saw, did not act goofy away from the set, so we do not know what she sounded like.

I thought Nicole nailed the scene with her stomping on the grapes.

 

[jeff1225]

She's had so many injectables in her face it fails to move anymore.

 

[KeithR]

i want to see PT Anderson's Licorice Story - was filmed across the street

 

[KeithR]

Sorkin lost me on this one. What was up with the fake interviews and the flashbacks with no warning etc? Just a mess directing imo.

I never watched the show so no idea how good a performance she did. Bardem seemed better than she was. JK was great as usual.

 

[dminches]

There is no doubt that this movie would have a different effect on those who watched the original show, which I did (in re-runs).

I thought Kidman did an excellent job as Lucy and Bardem was equally great as Desi. The movie was pretty dark in showing the real life issues of people who were comedic on TV.