I Love Lucy is regarded amongst many as one of the greatest television shows. During its six-season run, the show never dipped from the top 3 shows on television and peaked at an average of 67.3 million households a week. Not only were the ratings for the series on another stratosphere, but the episode “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” garnered a record 71.7 rating, meaning 71.7% of all television households at the time were tuned in to view the show.
To this day, I Love Lucy has the highest average rating for a TV show for any season. That being said, the series garnered new fans during its syndication, including myself. The series holds a special place in my heart as I too loved Lucy and Ricky and quickly became enthralled with the careers of both Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Not only was Lucy, Desi, and the series a staple of my childhood, but it was also the starting point in my eventual relationship with my now wife. Our passion and special affection for the show created an unbreakable bond that stands firm this very day, so when news first broke back in 2015 that Aaron Sorkin would be tackling the lives of Lucy and Desi, I was pretty intrigued. Over the past six years, the film seemed stuck in limbo with no sign of release. As the calendar turned to 2021, the project quickly sped up as Cate Blanchett was replaced with Nicole Kidman, and the original rumored casting for Desi Arnaz, Javier Bardem, was confirmed.
While the casting choices were quite controversial to many, I remained hopeful that the film would ultimately take shape into one of the best films of the year. My hope was warranted as Being the Ricardos is cinematic dynamite. A raw and moving look at the relationship between Lucy and Desi, along with a masterful dissection of the studio politics of yesteryear thanks to Aaron Sorkin’s most effective script since The Social Network.
Being the Ricardos takes place during a week of production on I Love Lucy. From the initial table read to the show’s live taping, we are taken behind the scenes in ways fans of the series have always hoped to see but never have before. In the backdrop of filming the episode, “Fred and Ethel Fight”, are personal accusations and a political smear campaigns that not only threaten the careers of both Lucy and Desi but the status of the show.
Aaron Sorkin is best known for creating the iconic The West Wing, and it’s no surprise that Sorkin is at his best when tackling the ins and outs of a television series. In his best directorial effort thus far, Sorkin’s screenplay and direction never lose focus as he balances the Lucy and Desi relationship while shining light on the importance of the behind the scenes players, the writers – Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, and Bob Carroll Jr. The creative process of the series thoroughly enthralled me.
Sorkin’s script sprinkles in flashback sequences that effectively articulate the beginning of Lucy and Desi’s relationship and their rise to the most powerful couple in Hollywood. The power of the duo is crucial to the film, as are the relationships between Bill Frawley and Vivian Vance. As a self-proclaimed Lucy and Desi historian, I was aware of Lucy and Viv’s strong friendship while knowing full well of their beginning. Lucille envisioned Vance’s character, Ethel Mertz, as looking frumpier then Lucy Ricardo to not upstage. Sorkin brings up the mythicized drama here but tackles it with care and respect to both parties.
The technical aspects of the film are some of the best of the year, with one of the best production designs of 2021. Cinephiles are transported back to the 1950s with lavish sets and authentic recreation of the Ricardo’s apartment in seasons 3-6. Aiding the production design is Jeff Cronenweth’s cinematography. Toggling through a warm color palette and black and white, Cronenweth brings life to the set and captures some of the best singular shots of the year. The film’s final moments have remained with me, and Cronenweth’s work is one of the reasons why.
Credit also needs to be bestowed on Daniel Pemberton’s excellent score. Rather than rehashing the known beats from the I Love Lucy days, Pemberton creates a magnificent ode to the era that resonated with me. It may not be the music many would have expected for the film, but it is a score that stands out as one of the best of the year.
Yes, the screenplay is fantastic, and the technical aspects of the film are to be praised, but Being the Ricardos lives and breathes through its transcendent performances. Tony Hale offers quite the performance as Jess Oppenheimer. The comedic aspects are on full display. However, Hale has quite the dramatic and emotional moments that lend in the confirmation that the series could not function without Oppenheimer and his team. Speaking of his team, can we talk about the brilliant performances by Alia Shawkat and Jake Lacy. The dynamic writing duo of the series, Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Pugh, share a chemistry that aids in some of the film’s funniest moments. If Lacy and Shawkat are on screen, you know you’re in for a laugh.
While the film’s casting process was a controversial one, there was never any debate regarding the casting of Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons as William Frawley. The faith in the casting of Simmons is warranted as he evokes the spirit of Frawley. Simmons is hilarious, moody, and downright spectacular. From the small nods to Frawley taking his pages from the weekly script to his “relationship” with Vivian Vance, Simmons is a delight. Going toe to toe with Simmons is Nina Arianda as Vivian Vance. Arianda is witty, charming and adds an emotional depth to Vance that those unfamiliar with the Vance-Ball friendship will be surprised to see.
Then we have Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem. For months upon months, we’ve seen the internet and social media throw disdain over casting these two Academy Award-winning actors in the iconic role. Are Kidman and Bardem doing impersonations of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo? No, they’re not.
There are less than 5 minutes of actual I Love Lucy within the film. What Kidman and Bardem accomplish is a portrayal of two individuals. Two individuals dealing with the stresses of marriage, the complexities of studio politics, and scandals that may destroy their careers. Bardem captures the charisma of Arnaz, from playing Babalu to confidently knowing that the head of Philip Morris would not be against the iconic pregnancy storyline on the series. Bardem disappears into the role. It’s easily my favorite Bardem performance since his Oscar-winning take in No Country For Old Men.
Nicole Kidman embodies the soul of Lucille Ball. Kidman silences the doubters as she brings an intense, truthful performance that ranks as the best in her lengthy, storied career. What we see in Being the Ricardos is Lucille Ball, Vice President of Desilu studios and comedic genius. Kidman not only makes you fall in love with Ball but accurately captures her perfectionist and hardworking mindset. She is versatile, layered, and heartbreaking. It’s a performance that will stay with me for quite a while, and one that should not only mark Kidman’s 5th Academy Award nomination but could lead to her second win.
Being the Ricardos surpassed all expectations. It’s a film that profoundly moved me and one that left me shedding a tear as the credits rolled. It’s not only Aaron Sorkin’s best direction thus far, but it’s without a doubt my favorite film of the year. There’s no denying that, similarly to our favorite redhead having some explaining to do, Amazon has some campaigning to do as the film feels like a sure-fire awards contender.
Being the Ricardos debuts in a limited release Friday, December 10, 2021 followed by streaming globally on Amazon Prime Video on December 21, 2021.
