Being the Ricardos Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A redhead and her conga-playing husband argue about communism and lipstick while filming a TV show that everyone apparently loved.

🍿 Being the Ricardos: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Lucille’s Early Career and Meeting Desi

The film opens with flashbacks to Lucille Ball’s early career in 1939. As a contract player for RKO Pictures, she’s relegated to B-movies. It’s on the set of one of these films that she meets Desi Arnaz, a charismatic Cuban singer and bandleader. They fall for each other quickly, marrying soon after.

The Creation of ‘I Love Lucy’

Years later, Lucy finds success in radio with ‘My Favorite Husband’. When CBS and Philip Morris express interest in adapting it for television, Lucy insists that Desi play her on-screen husband. Despite initial resistance due to Desi’s Cuban heritage, Lucy’s persistence prevails, and ‘I Love Lucy’ is born. The show becomes a massive hit, captivating audiences nationwide.

A Week of Crisis

The film primarily focuses on one tumultuous week in 1953. During this time, Lucille faces accusations of being a Communist, threatening her career and the future of ‘I Love Lucy’. Simultaneously, rumors of Desi’s infidelity surface, putting immense strain on their marriage. The pressure mounts as they prepare for the live filming of that week’s episode.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman): A talented and driven actress and comedian who faces both a political scandal and marital strife during a crucial week of her show’s production.
• Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem): A charismatic Cuban bandleader and actor who grapples with infidelity rumors and fights for his and his wife’s careers during the Red Scare.
• William Frawley (J.K. Simmons): The actor playing Fred Mertz, who struggles with alcoholism and a difficult relationship with his on-screen wife.
• Vivian Vance (Nina Arianda): The actress playing Ethel Mertz, who contends with both her professional rivalry and personal relationship with Lucille.
• Jess Oppenheimer (Tony Hale): The head writer and showrunner of ‘I Love Lucy,’ who navigates creative and personal conflicts within the show’s production.
• Madelyn Pugh (Alia Shawkat): One of the writers for ‘I Love Lucy’ who offers her perspective on the dynamics and challenges of the show.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lucille Ball: “I am the biggest asset in the portfolio of the Columbia Broadcasting System.” – Lucille defends her importance to the network and sponsors amidst the Communist accusations.
• Lucille Ball: “I get paid a fortune to do exactly what I love doing.” – Expressing her passion for her work and the privileged position she holds.
• Lucille Ball: “All I have to do to keep it is kill every week for 36 weeks in a row. And then do it again the next year.” – Highlighting the immense pressure and relentless work required to maintain her success.
• Lucille Ball: “I work side by side with my husband, who’s genuinely impressed by me.” – Reflecting on her partnership with Desi and the professional respect they share, despite personal troubles.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40 million
• Domestic Gross: $10.5 million
• Worldwide Gross: $15.5 million

💥 Being the Ricardos Reviews

Personal Review

I found “Being the Ricardos” to be a fascinating look behind the scenes of a classic show, but I couldn’t fully connect with the leads. While Kidman is talented, she felt miscast. The scenes showing the making of I Love Lucy were my favorite. I appreciated the insight into the challenges they faced. However, the movie is over rated, and I struggled to enjoy it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz”
  • “Viewers interested in the history of television”
  • “Those who enjoy biographical dramas”
  • “Adults interested in Hollywood history”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Suggestive themes”

Professional Reviews

• Film Stories: “While not a note-perfect recreation of the iconic duo, Kidman and Bardem deliver compelling performances, capturing the spirit of Lucy and Desi amidst the pressures of fame and marriage. Sorkin’s script is sharp, though occasionally feels overly expository. A worthwhile glimpse behind the scenes of television history.
• IMDB: “The actors are generally good, but poorly cast for the lead roles. Kidman’s performance is technically proficient but lacks the emotional depth and comedic timing of Lucille Ball. It is not a good choice for this film.

Audience Reactions

The glimpse into the intense creative process behind ‘I Love Lucy’ was fascinating and eye-opening.: Most viewers appreciated the historical context and the portrayal of the pressures faced by Lucy and Desi.

Overall Consensus: While the movie offers an interesting peek behind the scenes, the casting choices and some historical inaccuracies divided audiences.

Awards

1. Golden Globe Awards (Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama)- 2022

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s daughter, gave writer/director Aaron Sorkin permission to portray her mother as stubborn and headstrong, as she was in real life.”
• “Lucie Arnaz praised Nicole Kidman’s performance, saying she ‘became my mother’s soul,’ and Javier Bardem for capturing her father’s wit, charm, and musicality.”
• “The movie condenses several real-life events, including the Communist accusations and Lucy’s pregnancy, into a single week for dramatic effect.”

🖥️ How to Watch Being the Ricardos?

Being the Ricardos is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent or purchase the movie on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability as some platforms may have limited regional access.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Being the Ricardos, you might like these similar films:

• Mank (2020): Both films explore the behind-the-scenes drama of creating iconic entertainment during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
• Judy (2019): Focuses on the later years of another legendary performer, Judy Garland, highlighting personal struggles amidst professional demands.
• Trumbo (2015): Deals with the Hollywood blacklist and the Communist scare, similar to the political turmoil faced by Lucille Ball in ‘Being the Ricardos’.
• My Week with Marilyn (2011): Offers a glimpse into the life of a Hollywood icon, Marilyn Monroe, during a pivotal moment in her career, much like ‘Being the Ricardos’.

🛒 Being the Ricardos Related Products

• I Love Lucy: The Complete Series: Relive every hilarious moment with all six seasons of ‘I Love Lucy’ available for digital streaming. See the original show for yourself.
• Funko Pop! TV: I Love Lucy – Lucy Ricardo: Add the iconic Lucy Ricardo to your Funko Pop! collection. This charming vinyl figure captures her classic look and energy.
• I Love Lucy Little Ricky’s Drum: Drum is 5.5″ with a 4″ diameter, features a photo of Little Ricky and I Love Lucy logo
• Vitameatavegamin: An I Love Lucy Coffee Mug: Enjoy your morning coffee with a mug featuring one of Lucy’s funniest moments. Get this funny mug now.

🎧 Soundtrack

Being the Ricardos features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “She Could Shake the Maracas” – performed by Javier Bardem with The Michael Andrew Orchestra

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

“The Cuban People Have Music In Their DNA” – Javier Bardem On Becoming Desi Arnaz

Ever wondered how Javier Bardem transformed into Desi Arnaz? This interview on Colbert gives a peek into his process and thoughts on the iconic role. I found his insights on capturing Desi’s Cuban essence super interesting!

Desi Arnaz Talks About How He Got His Role On “I Love Lucy” | Letterman

Want to hear straight from Desi Arnaz himself about how he landed the ‘I Love Lucy’ role? This Letterman clip is pure gold! Honestly, hearing it from the source makes the movie even more fascinating.

Top 10 Things Being the Ricardos Got Factually Right & Wrong

Curious about how accurate “Being the Ricardos” really is? MsMojo breaks down what’s fact and what’s fiction in this engaging video. It’s wild to see which details they played with for dramatic effect!

How Real Is the Acting? Acting Coach Reviews Movie & TV Scenes | Vanity Fair

Ever wonder how actors are really doing? A professional coach analyzes performances, including ‘Being the Ricardos’, giving a unique insight. He’s super informative!

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