Being the Ricardos [Amazon Prime]

 

Following The Trial of the Chicago 7, Aaron Sorkin is back - both as a director and a writer - for another very Sorkin-esque outing. That is to say, the film was filled with snappy, witty one-liners and retorts, rhythmic dialogue that volleys back and forth, and of course great, big, actor-showcasing monologues dense with meaning, innuendos, metaphors, foreshadowing and undertone. And thankfully, he found this excellent cast who delivered all that and more! 

Nicole Kidman had never been better in a long time and her Oscar nomination is assured, with a win as a real distinct possibility. Throughout the film, Kidman was lost in Lucille Ball. There was no outright mimicry here, just an assured and nuanced performance that imbued her version of Lucille Ball with an empathetic humanity, depth and complexity. She could be scathing, funny, loving, tender, strong, vulnerable, weak all in the same scene, and she had no problems rolling out Sorkin's lines with the cadence and bite it deserved. 

Same goes for Jarvier Bardem. He was giving a full-bodied, dedicated performance as Desi Arnaz and his charisma just oozed out of the screen, Further, his chemistry with Kidman was palpable and believable, and their repertoire was at times exciting and titillating, and sometimes heartbreakingly devastating. His command of the screen was no less than that of Kidman' and his exhilarating musical performance(s) may lead him to repeat his SAG Best Actor nomination come Oscar time.

Also, kudos to the rest of the cast who were brilliantly supportive in their roles to elevate Kidman and Bardem: J.K. Simmons, Nina Arianda, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat and Jake Lacy. 

The film itself was decidedly less stellar than the cast and Sorkin as a director still has space to grow. The narrative framing device used to tell the story was interesting but repetitive, still segmenting the story into episodic-like moments and stalling narrative momentum. Further, the film's actual storytelling was also a bit too matter-of-fact, almost like a dramatised fictional docu (if there is such a thing). David Fincher and Sorkin were a great pairing!

But, luckily, as like in Chicago 7, Sorkin was supported by a great technical crew. Cinematographer, Jeff Cronenweth, lensed the film in a warm, familiar glow of domestic bliss punctured by bright glares of the outside world; and Daniel Pemberton's score was reminiscent of the 50s but yet still modern and befitting of the film.

Being the Ricardos will definitely be in the Oscar conversation with Sorkin and Kidman both having a high chance of nabbing their respective trophies for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress. Then again, Sorkin might have to vie with Paul Thomas Anderson for Licorice Pizza, and Olivia Colman for The Lost Daughter.