Review: Ricki and the Flash
By Christine Petralia
Image courtesy of TriStar Pictures
August 19, 2015
For a film with some pretty big names, Ricki and the Flash kind of fell short with the storyline. And while I didn’t think it was terrible, I did find it rather odd that it featured a lot of Meryl Streep singing. I realize that her character is a rock star, but the actress is just an OK singer. Perhaps that’s why the character never really made it big? Who knows, either way, Streep, her daughter Mamie Gummer, Rick Springfield and Kevin Kline struggle through this family drama, which is really just about a woman trying to fix her past mistakes.
Ricki, aka Linda (Streep), left her husband Pete (Kline) and her three children to pursue her dream of becoming a rock star. However, years later, that dream is gone as she leads the house band at a local bar in the Valley of Los Angeles at night, and by day she’s a cashier at a grocery shop. She struggles to make ends meet, and doesn’t want to put a label on the relationship she’s been having with her guitar player Greg (Springfield). Though she struggles, she seems to be OK with things in her life. That is until her ex Pete calls to inform her that her estranged daughter Julie (Gummer) is having a very tough time after her marriage ends. Though he has been remarried for quite some time, he suggests that Julie needs her mother. Reluctantly, Ricki boards a plane to help.
Once in Indianapolis, Ricki is forced to face her past mistakes. Julie, who reveals later on that she tried to commit suicide when her husband left her, doesn’t want anything to do with Ricki. Her sons, one gay, the other recently engaged, also don’t want anything to do with her. Slowly, though, Ricki works her way back into Julie’s life, putting a little spring in her step. However, things fall apart again when Pete’s wife, Maureen (Audra McDonald) comes back from a trip visiting her sick father. While Maureen continues to welcome Rick into her home, she warns her that she could be a bad influence on Julie. The two have a huge fight about who is the children’s real mother, and Ricki leaves.
Back home, she stews and has a hard time accepting that she was a bad parent. She wants to make things right, but doesn’t know how. It takes a stern talking to by Greg, who also makes her decide if she wants to be in a relationship with him, for her to really turn her life around. Soon, Ricki gets an apology from Maureen, as well as an invite to her son’s wedding. She and Greg decide they can’t afford to go. However, without her knowing, Greg sells his guitar so they can attend.
Of course, things start off awkward at the wedding, with whispers and stares, but Ricki stands her ground. She even helps Julie stay strong throughout the ceremony. During the reception, as a present to her son, Ricki has her band come out to perform. Though things are strained with her family, it’s clear she’s on her way to mending those relationships.
I guess because I thought this was more of a mother-daughter bonding film, I was slightly disappointed. It was more of a mother finding her way back to her family, which is fine. But again, the story fell flat somewhere in the middle. I did enjoy Springfield’s acting, especially since he seems to be one of two sensible characters in the film.
Bottom line, if you want to see a feel-good film in the theater, check it out (especially if you want to hear Streep sing Lady Gaga). But if action is more your thing this summer, wait until this hits cable or Redbox.
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