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Posted By admin on December 13, 2021

Being The Ricardos may try its best but the new filmwritten and directed by Aaron Sorkincontains a host of problems.

First and foremost, Javier Bardem is from Spain, not Cuba. To have better representation, the actor playing Desi Arnaz should be from Cuba. Depending on who you speak with, this is potentially a major problem. Sorkins opinion on the mattersee interview link belowis that Spanish and Cuban arent actable. He believes that the same also applies to his feelings on gay and straight. Not everyone agrees when it comes to casting but for what its worth, Lucie Arnaz approves of Bardems casting. Think of it this way: its almost like casting an Ashkenazi Jew for the role of a Sephardic Jew or vice versa.

Two, writer-director Aaron Sorkin places three different events in the same week. But did they take place during the same week? Let me break it down for you:

Listen, Im all for biopics when they are good but its clear that Aaron Sorkin does not know what hes doing here. Making matters worse, per an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, is that the film is set in September 1952! One full year before shit hits the fan! Theres no denial that Lucy and Desi had their marital problems. No is there any doubt about their complex relationship between their private and professional lives. However, Sorkin combines too many incidents in telling this story. I love going behind the scenes of TV and film but Being the Ricardos does this the wrong way.

These issues not withstanding, I think Nicole Kidman does a fine job. I can certainly understand why people prefer Debra Messing. If the film were focusing on Balls comedy antics, Messing would probably be a better choice. She would be amazing in the role. However, this film puts the bigger focus on taking us behind the scenes. In fact, Sorkin didnt want a vocal or physical impersonation from anyone in the cast! Through Balls dialogue, we get a hint of Balls comedy genius. We also learn that she is not a fan of Donald Glass. One more thing: Donald Glass does not appear to direct a single episode of I Love Lucy according to IMDb.

One approach that Sorkin takes is certainly interesting. He weaves in interviews with Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, and Bob Carroll Jr. I assumed they were archival interviews but they are not so I really dont like this aspect of the film. Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat, and Jake Lacy portray them, respectively. J.K. Simmons and Nina Arianda round out the cast as I Love Lucy castmates William Frawley and Vivian Vance.

Theres a better way to glimpse into Lucy and Desis life but Being the Ricardos isnt it.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Aaron SorkinCAST: Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Jake Lacy, J.K. Simmons, Nina Arianda, Tony Hale, and Alia Shawkat

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Being The Ricardos: I Love Lucy But Not This Film - Solzy at the Movies

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