RICKI AND THE FLASH
US, 2015, 103 minutes, Colour.
Meryl Streep, Kevin Klein, Mamie Gummer, Audra Mc Donald, Rick Springfield, Sebastian Stan, Ben Platt, Hailey Gates.
Directed by Jonathan Demme.
So, what were we expecting? Rock ‘n’ roll? Meryl Streep as a rocker? Another performance where Meryl Streep completely immerses herself in her character? Yes to all of the above. And that is definitely what we get.
It is not as if Meryl Streep had not sung in films before. She had many songs in Postcards from the Edge, some comic singing in Death Becomes Her, singing the role of the Witch in Sondheim’s Into the Woods – and, of course, Mamma Mia. It is not as if Meryl Streep can’t sing – but for this role, as with all her roles, she did her homework and training, the range of songs by a number of songwriters from Tom Petty to Bruce Springsteen, and learning to play the guitar as well. There are quite a number of songs, most of them in the Calilfornia club where she and her band, Ricky and The Flash, have been entertaining the locals, generally a rough and ready but enthusiastic audience, for years. And, as might be hoped for, Ricky and the Flash perform a grand finale at the family wedding.
We are introduced to Ricky, braids and heavy make-up, rock ‘n’ roll costumes, belting out the songs, playing with her band and with Greg, Rick Springfield able to play his music and in a sympathetic role. Then, we see her the next day, working the supermarket at the checkout, with the young enthusiastic floor manager continually urging her to smile, something which he continually demonstrates.
Then a phone call, to come home to the family she had abandoned decades earlier, with her daughter, Julie, in crisis after being abandoned by her husband. Now, she is Linda, her ordinary name, and she decides to travel to Indianapolis, and the mansion, clean and orderly and luxurious, where her former husband, Pete, Kevin Kline, has lived with their children, Julie and two sons, married to Maureen, whom we don’t see at first and perhaps judge her a bit too superciliously because of Linda’s reaction to the almost-perfect house, but in fact, as we get to know her, she is probably the most sympathetic character in the film, played by Audra Mc Donald – and, interestingly, it is an inter-racial marriage which is taken for granted, never even commented on.
Julie is played by Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep’s daughter who has appeared with her in other films. They play well together, Julie on medication and somewhat out of it, gradually mellowing with her mother’s exuberant presence, which includes going out to eat doughnuts and a hair and make-up makeover – and also her mother telling off the ex-husband and his girlfriend when they happen to see them in restaurant. Julie is depressed and is in therapy, helped by her mother – who later glimpses and realises just how much influence Maureen has had for the good and the better during her long absence.
The other crisis is the forthcoming wedding of one of the sons and his rather snobbish fiancee. The son has kept in touch with his mother, but the influence of his fiancee and family means that she is not invited to his wedding, just as she was not invited to Julie’s. The other son is gay and is critical of his mother, accusing her of homophobia. And this is mainly at a dinner sequence in a restaurant, one of those exceedingly loud and embarrassing dinners with aggression.
The film is a story of sadness and regrets, a story of dreams, career and selfish decisions, but it is also a story of hope, finishing on a happily dancing ending, courtesy of bringing Bruce Springsteen’s music, and the realisation that, although it is late, it is not too late to make some kind of reparation and, even within the limits of circumstances that cannot be changed, to bring some love and hopeful expectations.
The director, Jonathan Demme, has made a number of documentaries about musicians and concerts, as well is such films as Silence of the Lambs, Rachel at the Wedding. The writer, Diablo Cody, has been responsible for Juno, Young Adult and episodes of The United States of Tara. It is not great, but it is very enjoyable – and, once again, as for almost four decades, admiration for Meryl Streep.
1. Expectations of the film was to mark rock ‘n’ roll? Aged rockers? Meryl Streep? Family theme?
2. California and the clubs, supermarkets, Ricki’s world? The contrast with Indianapolis, the mansion, luxury and order, for Pete and his family? The feel for both settings?
3. The musical score, the range of songs, the range of writers, the different treatments? Rock ‘n’ roll spirit?
4. Meryl Streep, her persona as Ricki? Greg and the band, their talent, the songs, performance, stage presence? In the club? The songs at the wedding? The effect of the Bruce Springfield song at the wedding?
5. Themes of sadness, selfishness, the effects of selfishness? Career and dream? Loss, regrets? the past? Repairing the past? Hope?
6. Ricki’s story, her real name of Linda, her marriage, children, relationship with Pete? Her dream and wanting to sing, leaving, changing her name, 20 years career, the album, performances, the wildlife, relationships, with Greg, the clashes on stage, and admitting the love? Her family, the phone call, not invited to Julie’s wedding? The plane trip, no money, the taxi, staying at the house, exploring the house, Maureen’s order, the fridge? The room, with the dog? Her staying, the couple of days and the effect, the effect on her, on Julie? Julie’s anger, taking her to the diner, the donuts, the makeover and make up? The dinner, meeting her sons, the different reactions, no invitation to the wedding, Adam and his anger, accusing her of homophobia? Meeting with Mo, talking, her leaving, Mo sending the invitation, puzzling as to whether to go, Greg selling his guitar, their arrival, buying the new dress, the way that the couple was treated, Joshua glad she was there, Emily and her disdain, the snobbery of relatives and remembering the past? Adam and his partner? The decision to sing, bringing on the band, Josh and Emily dancing, others joining in, the exuberant spirit?
7. Julie, growing up without her mother, not inviting her mother to her wedding, her resentments, love, abandonment? Her husband leaving her, the effects, the medication, the therapy? The change of attitude in the morning, the donuts, the makeover? Seeing her husband in the restaurant, watching outside, Ricki going in, telling him off, telling his girlfriend off? The family dinner and the tensions and quarrels? Her love from Mo, Mo bringing her up, breakfast together? At the wedding, the entry, her nerves, Ricki urging her to go on? The response to the music, dancing, with her mother?
8. Peter, Kevin Kline, nice, Ricki calling him an uptight workaholic? His phone calls, greeting, mixed reaction, paying, allowing her to stay, observing Julie’s reaction, the news about the suicide attempt, Julie’s explanation? His surprise at Linda’s effect on Julie, the change? The dinner, the awkwardness? his relationship with Mo, over the years, love, letting Linda go, at the wedding, the touch of curtness, dancing with Mo?
9. Josh, love for his mother, no invitation to the wedding, the influence of Emily, the tightness at the dinner, his memories, yet wanting to make contact? Adam, his hostility, being gay, accusations of homophobia? Josh, the wedding, the issue of the table for Greg and Linda, his happiness with her presence, Emily and the reaction, the snobbish reaction? Adam, his partner, Linda meeting them, accepting them, dancing and happiness?
10. Mo, first impressions, her tidy and clean house, Linda’s negative reaction? Her arrival, working in the kitchen, pleasant, her personality, willing to discuss with Linda, the hurts, the 20 years of bringing the children up, her sending the presents on their behalf to Linda, Linda’ meanness in saying that Pete still loved her? Mo sending the invitation, pleasant and welcoming at the wedding, dancing?
11. Greg, his past life, his children, working in the band, singing, fights with Linda, forcing her to admit her love, the relationship, selling the guitar, going to the wedding, his presence?
12. The world of California, Dan and his enthusiasm at the bar, the band and their personalities, together, the customers, old and rugged, their enjoying
the music, the dancing? The contrast with the supermarket – and the assistant and his wanting Linda to keep smiling?
13. Themes of regrets, repair, hope?
