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Being the Ricardos

Play trailer 1:47 Poster for Being the Ricardos R Released Dec 10, 2021 2h 5m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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68% Tomatometer 279 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 100+ Verified Ratings
Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) and Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) are threatened by shocking personal accusations, a political smear and cultural taboos in Academy Award (R)-winning writer and director Aaron Sorkin's behind-the-scenes drama Being the Ricardos. A revealing glimpse of the couple's complex romantic and professional relationship, the film takes audiences into the writers' room, onto the soundstage and behind closed doors with Ball and Arnaz during one critical production week of their groundbreaking sitcom "I Love Lucy."
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Being the Ricardos

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Critics Consensus

Being the Ricardos can't hope to truly capture its subjects' brilliant star power, but Nicole Kidman has a ball with Aaron Sorkin's spitfire dialogue.

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Audience Says

It'll probably mean most to viewers who grew up watching I Love Lucy, but Being the Ricardos is a well-made, entertaining biopic.

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Critics Reviews

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Amber Wilkinson Times (UK) Not only does she get the tone of Ball right, Kidman also captures the comedy star's forthright energy, an essential fearlessness and truthfulness about herself that Sorkin also evidently admires. Rated: 4/5 Jan 15, 2022 Full Review John Anderson America Magazine Kidman is a first-rate, Oscar-winning actress; her Lucille Ball is a fully realized character... The problem is, Sorkin's Ball ends up being so unlikable you don't want to spend this much time with her. Dec 29, 2021 Full Review Gary M. Kramer Salon.com Most of "Being the Ricardos" lacks the magic it is trying to capture. Dec 22, 2021 Full Review Francesca Steele iNews.co.uk Aaron Sorkin's smart comedy sticks a fork into Fifties Hollywood, with Kidman and Javier Bardem on fine form as I Love Lucy's iconic Lucy and Desi. Rated: 4/5 Dec 10, 2024 Full Review Paul Kanieski KSQD Community Radio As with all of Sorkin’s work, the main appeal of Being the Ricardos is how his script, like a glass bottom boat, allows us to see beneath the surface of a rarefied world. Jul 25, 2023 Full Review Rebecca Johnson Film Focus Online The performances make it worth the watch, with Sorkin's snappy dialogue providing much to admire, alongside its deep character study. However, Sorkin tends to get in his own way, his directing not quite on par with his writing. Rated: 3/5 Jul 25, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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David LOVE the story, and the set it looked like the original series set. The cast took sometime to get use to, they all did good pretraying the originals too. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/25/22 Full Review Cheryl R Nicole Kidman did an excellent job of portraying Lucille Ball. Javier Baldam was great as Desi. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/16/22 Full Review Vicki Loved Nicole Kidman! Was compelling and enlightening. Have even more admiration for Lucy than before. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/27/21 Full Review Marcos Story was very respectful of each Lucy and Desi. Showing their talent Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/26/21 Full Review michelle s So well written and delivered. Loved it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/25/21 Full Review Gloria Incredible movie!! Grew up watching all the Lucy shows!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/25/21 Full Review Read all reviews
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Being the Ricardos

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Movie Info

Synopsis Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) and Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) are threatened by shocking personal accusations, a political smear and cultural taboos in Academy Award (R)-winning writer and director Aaron Sorkin's behind-the-scenes drama Being the Ricardos. A revealing glimpse of the couple's complex romantic and professional relationship, the film takes audiences into the writers' room, onto the soundstage and behind closed doors with Ball and Arnaz during one critical production week of their groundbreaking sitcom "I Love Lucy."
Director
Aaron Sorkin
Producer
Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Desi Arnaz Jr.
Screenwriter
Aaron Sorkin
Distributor
Amazon Studios
Production Co
Amazon Studios, Big Indie Pictures, Escape Artists
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 10, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 21, 2021
Runtime
2h 5m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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