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On Monday nights during the ‘50s, millions of Americans gathered in front of their television sets to watch the latest antics of Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel on I Love Lucy. But behind the show’s weekly hilarity, things weren’t always light and fun. And Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos takes a look at one week that almost ended the show and the stars’ marriage.
Being the Ricardos goes behind the scenes of one wild week for Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman), Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem), and the cast and crew of the I Love Lucy show. When a tabloid accuses Desi of cheating the same day that a radio personality suggests that Lucy is a member of the Communist Party, the set is thrown into chaos. But as Desi and Lucy continue to meet with the network, their lawyers, and their sponsors, the show must go on—and everyone works to put on a great show that they may never get to film.
From private meetings to table reads to rehearsals, Being the Ricardos explores the show’s dynamics: the power struggles, the insecurities, and especially the troubled relationships. Lucy questions her marriage to Desi, Desi tries to show his power over the writers and producers, Vivian Vance (Nina Arianda) fights for more respect, and William Frawley (J. K. Simmons) just pours himself another drink and tries to get everyone through another crisis.
At the center of it all, though, is Lucy. The film regularly jogs back in time to explore the life of the strong, determined woman who fought her way through the ups and downs of a Hollywood career, navigating the give-and-take of her marriage to another performer, to find herself the star of everyone’s favorite television show. She definitely takes her role seriously—and despite having a team of writers and directors and producers working with her, she seems to think that she’s personally responsible for the success of every episode. Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman gives a performance that’s sometimes solid but frequently self-conscious and awkward, her transformation into the beloved comic rather off-putting.
Fortunately, despite its occasional distractions, Aaron Sorkin’s signature snappy writing keeps things moving along. The film definitely juggles a lot of tangled plotlines, but he skillfully weaves them together in a way that just works.
While it isn’t without its obvious flaws, though, Being the Ricardos is a light and fun look behind the scenes of a beloved sitcom—and a high-profile Hollywood marriage. For anyone who once watched endless reruns of Lucy and Ethel while home sick from school (like I did), it makes for an entertaining bio.
Being the Ricardos opens in theaters on December 10, 2021 and will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video on December 21, 2021.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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