Meryl Streep stars as Ricki Rendazzo, a middle-aged rock musician who decades ago left her husband and three young children, moving from Indianapolis to Los Angeles, where she sought fame and fortune, but found neither. Commitment-phobic Ricki fronts a bar band called The Flash at night, while during the day she cashiers at a chic grocery store, where she is forced to smile and be cheery to every customer. Ricki is suddenly summoned home to the Midwest by her ex-husband Pete (Kevin Kline) to console their beleaguered daughter, Julie (Mamie Gummer, Streep's real daughter), who attempted suicide after her husband left her. Arriving penniless at Pete's McMansion in a posh, gated community (where she's remembered by her real name of Linda Brummel), Ricki not only realizes that Julie is deeply depressed but also that Pete's second wife (Audra McDonald)—the epitome of domesticity—has actually raised their children. In addition, Ricki discovers that one of her sons is gay, while the other is engaged to be married (but Ricki is not included in the wedding). Directed by Jonathan Demme, this acerbic but also contrived comic drama wavers unevenly between domestic angst and rock ‘n' roll, diluting its emotional resonance. Streep is characteristically superb as the convention-defying rebel who subconsciously seeks familial redemption. But an inordinate amount of time here is devoted to Streep's performing with Rick Springfield, who plays her loyal lover/lead guitarist. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “making-of” featurette (10 min.) and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are deleted scenes (8 min.), “Rediscovering Rick Springfield” (6 min.), a cast photo gallery, and a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package for an uneven film.] (S. Granger)
Ricki and the Flash
Sony, 101 min., PG-13, DVD: $30.99, <span class=SpellE>Blu</span>-ray: $34.99, Nov. 24 Volume 30, Issue 6
Ricki and the Flash
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