BEING THE RICARDOS

US, 2021, 131 minutes, Colour.

Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, J.K.Simmons, Arianda, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat, Jake Lacey, Linda Lavin, Ronny Cox, John Rubenstein, Clark Gregg.

Directed by Aaron Sorkin.

Once upon a time, more than half a century ago, every American, every American family knew who the Ricardos were. They were the couple at the centre of that most popular television show, everybody staying home on Monday nights to watch it, I Love Lucy.

The framework of the screenplay of this portrait of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball in real life, this opening up of their creation of the Ricardo family and its comic episodes on television, is a significant week in the life of Lucille Ball. It is the time of the House of Un-American Activities investigations, and Walter Winchell, popular television commentator, has announced that Lucille Ball was Communist.

But, this was not the main problem for Lucille Ball. It was the quality of her marriage to Desi Arnaz and issues of his fidelity.

And, the screenplay offers a close-up of the filming of an episode of the series, the meetings, the producers and the sponsors, Philip Morris and their discussions, the pressures on the cast, the initial readings with the producer, Jess Oppenheimer, and the writers, Bob Carroll and Madalyn Pugh. A new director is there, whom Lucille Ball disapproves of. Which means there are enough tensions in this focus besides those of the Red issue and marital issues.

Nicole Kidman has won awards for her portrayal of Lucille Ball, an unexpected choice for the role. However, she handles dramatics effectively but is surprisingly funny in her impersonations of episodes from the series, change of appearance, voice, comic timing – and the device of having Lucille Ball listen to the readings and discussions and imagining how she would work on the sketches and the comic styles, judging audience laughter and support. Javier Bardem is a surprising choice for Desi Arnaz, having to sing, perform in the series, and show what Arnaz was like as a businessman, competing with his wife and her sense of business as well.

The film boasts an excellent supporting cast at their best. Tony Hale brings to life the exasperations and loyalties of producer, Jess Oppenheimer. Jake Lacey and, particularly, Alia Shawkat are very good as the writers. And, J.K.Simmons is a scene stealer at readings, and in earnest discussions with Lucille Ball, as the actor who appeared in the series, William Frawley. Nina Arrianda is also effective as Vivian, a regular in the series. (And the film has an interesting device of showing producer and writers later, with veterans John Rubenstein, Ronny Cox, Linda Laven).

And, within the framework of the week, there are extensive flashbacks filling in Lucille Ball is acting background, films and radio, Desi Arnaz from Cuba, singer, musician, or service, his being dismissed as Hispanic. However, he vindicates himself in an entertaining dramatic finale as he vindicates his wife and the attack on her as a Communist (with the help of J Edgar Hoover).

In this film is the work of Aaron Sorkin, writing and directing, an admiration for going into American television’s past, and his always interesting touches on political issues.

Surprisingly interesting and entertaining.

1. The title? The family from I Love Lucy, American families, family audiences, the popularity? The work of Aaron Sorkin? Drama, politics?
2. The introduction with the three veterans, the talking heads, their explanations, the telling the story, seeing them at work in their heyday with the writing, production, readings, rehearsals, interactions with Lucy, Desi?
3. The structure of the film, a week in production of an episode of I Love Lucy? The water windchill broadcast, Lucy accused of being a communist? The response of the media? Lucy and Desi, the relationship, issues of his fidelity? And the flashbacks within the framework of this dramatic week?
4. Seeing Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and the supporting cast as characters, before their role in the sitcom? Audiences accepting the performances in the film, accepting the characters?
5. The issue of the marriage, Lucy and Desi together, family, Lucy? The portrait of the tensions? The home sequences, Lucy and her suspicions, Desi and his plausible answers?
6. The production team, Jess Oppenheimer, his personality, work, supervision, interacting with Lucien Desi, keeping the peace? Bob Carroll and Madelyn Pugh as the writers, wanting some recognition, clever, witty, interactions with Oppenheimer, with Lucy, Desi? Bill, William Frawley, his role in the sitcom, his personality, age, vaudeville for 40 years, knowledge, drinking, sardonic remarks, the issue of the ‘red scare’ and the boy age 7 and his contract, the episode talking with Lucy in the bar, highlighting the Desi was important that this should be known? Vivian, her role in the sitcom, personality, the dresser, the issue of the breakfast with Madalyn, the discussions with Lucy, clashes, reconciliation? The personalities, wit, banter, insults?
7. The sponsors, Philip Morris, the executives, the meetings, the discussions, the issue of communism, the issue of pregnancy, the 1950s and the word pregnant not to be used, pregnant mothers not on screen? Lucy, perseverance, audiences responding to the birth of the baby? Lucy and her defiance of the board? Their presence at tapings?
8. Desi, his strong personality, coming from Cuba, singing, the band, the singing excerpts, the films, Too Many Girls, the encounter with Lucy, on the set, and make up as having been bashed, flirting, the later date, the sexual encounter, the wedding? His military service? Criticism because of Hispanic accent? The background of his father as Mayor of Santiago? His being out, his performances, womanising, explanations to Lucy? The final episode with the tissue, the two different lipsticks, his standing condemned? The final information about the divorce after filming the last episode?
9. Desi, his business sense, at meetings, working with Lucy, the board, the sponsors, produces? The fact that he was the I in I Love Lucy, Oppenheimer’s talk with him, Desi condemning being patronised? The discussions about Winchell’s accusations, the media, the read headlines? The show, his talking to the audience, defending Lucy, the phone call, Innocent, J Edgar Hoover, applause? On with the show?
10. Lucy and her career, in the 30s, the party and The Big Street, possibilities, other actresses, the RKO interview, her contract not being renewed? Her moving to radio, the radio sequences, My Favourite Husband, the audience? The executives, the discussion about television, the board meeting, her firm stand not to do My Favourite Husband, the emerging of I Love Lucy?
11. The scenes of the readings, the blocking, the rehearsals, the performance? The particular scene, the writers, the new director and Lucy despising him and upstaging him, the changes, the flower arrangement, Desi arriving home, the list of possibilities?
12. Nicole Kidman’s performance as Lucy Ricardo, the look, the mannerisms, the expressions, the voice? The device of having Lucy imagining the scenes, their being acted out? The audience response, the comic timing, the props? Grape treading – and the idea of the loss of the hearing?
13. Nostalgia for the television shows of the past? The stars and personalities? And a reminder of the 1950s and the Communist investigations?