![]() ![]() "Being the Ricardos" was given a limited 2 week theater run before shifting a few days ago to Amazon Prime, where I caught it. All of this is a bit surprising as Aaron Sorkin's track record not only as a director but even more so as a writer ("The Social Network", "Moneyball", "Steve Jobs", just to name those) is nothing short of stellar, but here the sum of the parts simply doesn't add up. clinical, and very much 'staged' (in fact, the scenes involving the making of the weekly TV show felt as if it was a theater production). ![]() I never did buy into Nicole Kidman's role as Lucille/Lucy, nor for that matter into Javier Bardem's role as Desi/Ricky. Despite what looks to be an amazing production set and a massive amount of other talent attached to this film, I found the overall viewing experience strangely off-putting. Not that the film isn't titled "Being Ball and Arnaz", but instead "Being the Ricardos" (the TV characters). Here he goes behind the curtain to give us a glimpse of what life for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz was like both within the TV hit show, and outside. Couple of comments: this is the latest from writer-director Aaron Sorkin ("Molly's Game", "The Trial of The Chicago 7"). At this point we are 10 min into the movie. But dark clouds hang over Desi and Lucille. It is "Monday, Table Read", and the show's production staff is gathered to run through that week's script. We then go back in time as Desi comes home and he and Lucille start arguing immediately, only to kiss and make up. ![]() WikiĪs "Being The Ricardos" (20211 release 133 ,in.) opens, several talking heads, mostly "I Love Lucy" staff writers, are giving their perspectives on the mammoth show that it was, and the events that hit the show in a one-week span in 1952. They are now facing a crisis that could end their careers and their marriage. Lucy admits but Desi insists not to tell the truth. On the night of the live filming, a newspaper article deems Lucy a Communist. By 1953, the show is renamed "I Love Lucy" and becomes a smash hit with nearly 60 million viewers each week. The show draws interest from CBS and Philip Morris, but Ball only agrees if Desi plays her on screen husband. In 1948, she is cast in the radio show "My Favorite Husband", which becomes a success. Desi has a successful stint fronting the Desi Arnaz Orchestra that tours around the country, while Lucy continues her film career with little success. Months after filming, they marry and buy a home in Hollywood. She meets one of the film's cast, the charismatic 22-year-old Cuban singer Desi Arnaz and the two fall for each other instantaneously. She gets small parts in big studio productions, but featured mainly in low budget films. In 1939, Lucy Ball is contracted to RKO Pictures. ![]()
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