Snappy Sorkin dialogue and bright performances make "Being the Ricardos"

Being the Ricardos (2021)

"Never doubt Nicole Kidman" is the real takeaway in “Being the Ricardos.” She is Lucille Ball, and if nothing else, that’s one thing writer-director Aaron Sorkin (2020’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7”) makes resolutely clear in this backstage dramatization of the groundbreaking sitcom "I Love Lucy." In regards to the miscasting outcries, the Australian actress may look nothing like the redheaded RKO contract player turned sitcom comedienne from Jamestown, New York, and one never really forgets that he or she is watching Kidman the whole time. With that being said, the actress is not putting on a shallow, technically mannered impersonation but rather creating a real human being with control and emotional depth. So while she doesn’t fully disappear into the role, Kidman does still capture Ball’s essence, throaty voice, and quick comic timing. 

Being formatted as a "one week in the life of...," there is a lot going on in “Being the Ricardos." It’s mainly set in 1952 over the course of one “scary goddamn week” for on- and off-screen couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (played by a well-matched Javier Bardem). Well into the second season of the couple playing Lucy and Ricky Ricardo in their hit show, two scandals break out for both stars that could ruin their careers and marriage. The press smears Ball’s name, labeling her a Communist and beginning an investigation. A tabloid photo also emerges regarding the Cuban-American bandleader’s possible extramarital affairs. Did these two performers have some ‘splainin’ to do? Meanwhile, when Lucille and Desi privately announce their news to the producers that they’re having a baby, the writers must work the pregnancy into the show (“a pregnant woman on television?!”) or work around Lucille's baby bump since Lucy and Ricky slept in twin beds. Everyone’s stress levels are high, but they have a show to do!

Compressing and fudging the facts for dramatization isn’t exactly anything new for films based on famous people, and "Being the Ricardos" isn't any different. Sorkin's script would have to rely on some speculation to depict this one hellish week behind closed doors. A climactic scene, where Ball’s name is cleared right before a live-audience episode, is such crowd-pleasing stuff that even Sorkin is smart enough to balance out with a sad discovery. What does remain a more uneven choice on Sorkin’s part is framing the film mockumentary-style with present-day talking-head interviews from the show’s executive producer and head writer Jess Oppenheimer and staff writers Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Pugh. One can certainly see the intent, bringing an on-the-record candidness (especially with Linda Lavin playing Madelyn) and an outside perspective, but the use of this device never quite pays off like it should. Even time jumps between that one central week and before “I Love Lucy” went into production (like when Lucille made her move on Desi on the set of big-screen flop “Too Many Girls" and how the show began as a radio broadcast before CBS reluctantly agreed to Lucille's demands of having her real-life husband play her TV husband) make the structure feel scattered at times. 

On the surface, the film works as a nostalgic time capsule enjoyed by those who watched “I Love Lucy” when it originally aired or caught syndicated reruns. On another level, it's a treat for cinephiles interested in behind-the-scenes featurettes of TV and movies, from smoke-filled table reads to principal photography on soundstages. Recreations of Lucy’s daffy grape-stomping and Fred and Ethel's slapsticky dinner fight are sharply edited and inserted with purpose to relay Lucille's creative process. Sorkin’s snappy and whip-smart ear for dialogue makes the film crackle and hum along, and every actor is up to the challenge. To emphasize once again, Nicole Kidman is right at home in Lucille Ball. She's pretty marvelous in selling the gumption and resolve of this tough and naturally funny woman, who's looking to perfect her craft and make everyone else better. In spite of the stress of the commie accusation, Kidman's Lucille is so laser-focused on work that she keeps pressing the illogic of an episode's opening scene and even overrides the director by calling in her co-stars to set in the middle of the night to rework a bit.

"Being the Ricardos" might center on America's made-for-TV sweethearts, but another set of standout supporting performances make this a collaborative effort. Not just second bananas, a killer Nina Arianda and J.K. Simmons are perfectly cast scene-stealers and bring internal life to the fed-up Vivian Vance/Ethel Mertz and the perpetually drunken William Frawley/Fred Mertz. Also, Tony Hale, Jake Lacy, and Alia Shawkat (who’s especially fun to watch) make a terrific trio as the writing team. Even when it seems like Sorkin is so afraid to kill any of his darlings, “Being the Ricardos” is still somehow a brisk, effortless entertainment that emotionally involves and wins you over with actors playing other actors. We always loved Lucy, but now Sorkin and Kidman let us understand her as more than just a redheaded gal with a knack for pratfalls.

Grade: B

Amazon Studios released “Being the Ricardos” (125 min.) in select theaters on December 10, 2021, followed by a Prime Video release on December 21, 2021.