Is It Worth the Watch?

Seeing any backstage drama that later became public knowledge makes us all feel like insiders. Being the Ricardos, from 2021, places us smack in the middle of both the production of a legendary TV series and a legendary love story. This excellent, if bloated, look at a week in the production of the pioneering television comedy series I Love Lucy and the troubled relationship between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the married stars and producers of the series, paints a fascinating portrait of stardom, ego, and responsibility. 

In the film, three or four major events happen during this long week, including Lucy learning of Desi‘s infidelities, as well as her being accused of being a communist and Arnaz’s heroic defense of her. All of those things happened in real life, but not in the exact same week. Just a little dramatic license there. 

Writer/Director Aaron Sorkin has crafted some spitfire dialogue and crackling relationships, aided by superb acting from Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as Balland Arnaz, both nominated for Oscars for this, and J. K. Simmons (who is particularly good, and who was also Academy Award nominated) and Nina Arianda as the series’ bickering co-stars William Frawley and Vivian Vance.

Is It Worth The Watch? I wasn’t sure if I was gonna like this one going in, but I really enjoyed it. It’s fun (fictionalized) insider show biz gossip.

2021

131 minutes

Starring – Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, J. K. Simmons, Nina Arianda, Alia Shawkat, Jake Lacy, Tony Hale, Clark Gregg, Linda Lavin, Ronny Cox, John Rubinstein

Director – Aaron Sorkin

Screenplay – Aaron Sorkin