Being the Ricardos
Being the Ricardos

Being the Ricardos

2021
Movie
132 min
English

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes68%
Metacritic60/100
Google Users83%
Director: Aaron SorkinGenres: Biography, Drama, History

Plot Summary

The film chronicles a critical week in the production of the beloved 1950s television sitcom 'I Love Lucy,' as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz face a personal crisis that threatens their careers and their marriage. Facing accusations of communism and Desi's infidelity, Lucy must navigate studio politics, public scrutiny, and her own artistic integrity. The narrative weaves through rehearsal, filming, and intimate moments, revealing the complexities behind the on-screen comedy.

Critical Reception

Being the Ricardos received mixed to positive reviews from critics. While Nicole Kidman's performance as Lucille Ball was widely praised, the film's script and pacing drew more divided opinions. Many critics found it to be a well-acted but somewhat conventional biopic that struggled to capture the essence of its subjects and the era.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praise for Nicole Kidman's transformative performance as Lucille Ball.
  • Mixed reactions to Aaron Sorkin's screenplay, with some finding it insightful and others overly dramatic.
  • Appreciation for the period detail and the exploration of behind-the-scenes challenges in early television.

Google audience: Google users generally enjoyed the film, with many highlighting Nicole Kidman's standout performance and the intriguing look into the personal lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Some viewers found the drama compelling, while others felt it didn't fully capture the comedic spirit of 'I Love Lucy'.

Awards & Accolades

Nicole Kidman won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama for her role. The film also received nominations for Best Actor (Javier Bardem) and Best Supporting Actress (Nina Arianda) at the Academy Awards.

Fun Fact

During filming, Nicole Kidman reportedly spent over three hours in makeup each day to transform into Lucille Ball, utilizing prosthetics and careful application to capture the iconic actress's likeness.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
tmdb28039023

tmdb28039023

There are two lines of dialogue in Being the Ricardos that really caught my attention. One is “I literally said that 30 seconds ago,” and the other is “It takes fewer words to say that than the truth.” This film feels like a lot of the form...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I vaguely recall watching "I Love Lucy" - or perhaps I just recall that memorable theme tune, but I have to say I knew nothing at all about the "Desilu" couple before watching this. As ever, it has Sorkin's trademark dialogue - quickly pace...