Chicago – When I screened “Inside Llewyn Davis” from the Coen Bros. before it was nominated for two Oscars and praised by critics everywhere, I beefed to myself: Who is this musician? Why does his story matter as compared to so many other real musicians who you never hear about but deserve that kind of spotlight?
Rating: 2.0/5.0
While it turns out that Llewyn Davis is a fictional character partly inspired by the autobiography of folk singer Dave Van Ronk, in “Ricki and the Flash” we get more of the same but in a more forgettable, inconsistent and predictable way. You’ll wonder once again: Is the “guitar heroine” Ricki Rendazzo a real musician and why does her story warrant a film? Answers: No (but it’s another “inspired by”) and she doesn’t.
While Ricki’s real name in the film is Linda, she’s not a real person and neither is her band.
Rating: 2.0/5.0
While it turns out that Llewyn Davis is a fictional character partly inspired by the autobiography of folk singer Dave Van Ronk, in “Ricki and the Flash” we get more of the same but in a more forgettable, inconsistent and predictable way. You’ll wonder once again: Is the “guitar heroine” Ricki Rendazzo a real musician and why does her story warrant a film? Answers: No (but it’s another “inspired by”) and she doesn’t.
While Ricki’s real name in the film is Linda, she’s not a real person and neither is her band.
- 8/7/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
It’s familiar fodder for a comedy/drama. Y’know the story of a parent leaving the family unit in order to follow a dream. Then years later, having to return for an uncomfortable, often strained reunion that usually concludes with a big, new extended-family group hug. After a failed attempt (but sometimes successful) at acquiring fame and fortune the prodigal poppa realizes that everything he really desired was right in his back yard. We recently saw this occur in Danny Collins. But this new flick does a switcheroo with that formula. This time mom flew the coop in pursuit of her passions and dreams. Meryl Streep reteams with Jonathan Demme (they remade The Manchurian Candidate a few years ago) to tell Oscar-winning scribe Diablo Cody’s tale of, not speedster superheroes, family and rock n’ roll. Grab a brew and settle in for a solid set from Ricki And The Flash.
- 8/7/2015
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Flash and How To Dull It: Demme and Streep Concoct Uneven Rock Cocktail
We’ve known the multifaceted Meryl Streep, amongst her many surprising and highly touted talents, has considerable range and presence as a vocalist. Director Mike Nichols was well aware of this, utilizing her untapped virtue in early titles like Silkwood (1983) and Postcards From the Edge (1990), back when everyone was mainly agog over her filmography of accents. Now, an auteur who has maintained an equally lucrative career of a wide ranging trajectory, returns for his first narrative venture since 2008’s Rachel Getting Married for another bit of familial dysfunction with Ricki and the Flash, a vehicle resting comfortably on the shoulders of Streep’s musical abilities. Considering the performer’s striking ease and expected plausibility as an aged musician still chasing the dream, it is unfortunate the cotton candy concoction surrounding her is so intensely belabored.
Ricki...
We’ve known the multifaceted Meryl Streep, amongst her many surprising and highly touted talents, has considerable range and presence as a vocalist. Director Mike Nichols was well aware of this, utilizing her untapped virtue in early titles like Silkwood (1983) and Postcards From the Edge (1990), back when everyone was mainly agog over her filmography of accents. Now, an auteur who has maintained an equally lucrative career of a wide ranging trajectory, returns for his first narrative venture since 2008’s Rachel Getting Married for another bit of familial dysfunction with Ricki and the Flash, a vehicle resting comfortably on the shoulders of Streep’s musical abilities. Considering the performer’s striking ease and expected plausibility as an aged musician still chasing the dream, it is unfortunate the cotton candy concoction surrounding her is so intensely belabored.
Ricki...
- 8/6/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
The Ricki of “Ricki and the Flash” is a rocker, a Hollywood lifer who has given up everything to pursue her dreams of stardom. There are probably thousands of Rickis still hoping for that big break in Los Angeles. The one city where a dream doesn't die once you hit retirement age. (Oh, and lest we forget, Ricki happens to be played by none other than Meryl Streep. That’s somewhat important, isn't it?) Well into her ‘60s, she spends her days as a tempestuous checkout clerk for a Whole Foods knock off. At night she slides on a leather jacket to front a group of old school rock and rollers who make up the house band for a divvy San Fernando Valley bar. But the joy she finds from belting out covers of classic tunes isn’t just about her love of music. It helps her forget the other life she left behind,...
- 8/4/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
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