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Meryl Streep plays an aging rocker that is drawn back into her estranged family’s lives. Although she has been alienated from her them and receives considerable abuse and distress, she shows strength of character and real value as a parent. She is also a genuine friend to her former husband and daughter who is suffering a nervous breakdown. This film is a comedy, and has the expected feel good ending. Much of the humour is dark and there are some very intense moments between the characters, particularly when Ricki arrives at her husband’s opulent home. The family is profoundly dysfunctional and has scapegoated Ricki as being the cause of this. However, she proves to be a breath of fresh air and does more to genuinely help her daughter than expensive therapy. Some of the scenes at this point of the film are quite painful and moving. The film deals with the problems faced by parents who have been ejected from their children’s lives, which is shown in Ricki’s situation and that of her band mate and partner Greg. Despite the fact that she’s moved on and her husband’s second wife has usurped her position and perpetuated the rot within the family, Ricki acknowledges the pain and suffering that her choices have brought about for her and her children. I’m not particularly a Meryl Streep fan, but I was captivated by her performance. Despite some of the twee and clichéd moments it’s a strong film that deals some serious social issues.
This review is from Ricki and the Flash [Includes Digital Copy] [DVD] [2015]
Posted by Wizard
I absolutely love this movie! When I saw that Rick Springfield and Meryl Streep were in the same movie, I had to check it out. I'm a fan of both. Rick Springfield brings his A game for the movie. Meryl is always awesome. The music is great, the chemistry between the two of them is fantastic. The storyline is very good. At first I thought I wouldn't like it because what mother leaves their children? But then I remembered that her character dealt with this same dilemma in Sophie's Choice. Meryl is perfect for the role and is just the right mix of vulnerability and sass. It's a movie you will remember for a long time.
Posted by STudor1124
If you like Meryl Streep this is a good family relationships movie. Kevin Kline is good as the ex. Explores what can happen to families when Mom wants a career more than family. Also learned Mamie Gummer is Meryl Streep's daughter in real life.
Posted by frosty1951
