Ricki and the Flash

PG-13

Released Aug 7, 2015

1 hr. 40 min.

Comedy

Drama

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List

65%

200 Reviews

Tomatometer

43%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

It's been a roller-coaster ride for Ricki Rendazzo (Meryl Streep), a one-time wife and mother of three who left her family behind to follow her dreams of rock 'n' roll stardom in California. Now, the singer and guitarist must face the music when she returns home to Indiana to reconnect with ex-husband Pete (Kevin Kline), troubled daughter Julie, engaged son Josh and younger son Adam. Filled with regret, Ricki hopes to find redemption for all of the bad choices that she made in the past.

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Critics Consensus

Meryl Streep's outstanding work helps Ricki and the Flash overcome its inconsistent tone and fairly predictable premise.

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Alec B

This is the type of role I'd like to see Streep do more (weird, unglamorous, and funny), I just wish the performance was in a better movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

Gerald F

Thought it was an excellent story/plot superb acting by Streep & Springfield. Not many of these band type stories play out well, but this one certainly did. Loved it!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/23

Full Review

Diana D

Liked watched because of Rick Springfield love him. The music is great Meryl Streep can really rock it. The first hour and a half was good. A mother being there for her daughter to help her get back on feet and facing her other children what I disliked was what happened did they become a happy family after they played in a band. I had to fast forward the music it was a bit much. Rick Springfield goergeous as ever !!!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/16/23

Full Review

Pamela H

It look me a long time to decide to watch this movie. Meryl Streep looked so cartoonish that I was afraid it would be a silly movie. It turned out to be even worse than I expected. I think Meryl Streep is a wonderful actress, but she didn't do herself any favors by overacting in this silly movie. With the exception of Kevin Kline, everybody overacted. So much yelling! The story was ridiculous. She didn't do a half-bad job of singing/playing guitar, but she plays as unlikable a character as I've seen. The ending was sickly sweet. Good Lord. They all are so much better than this-the actors, Jonathan Demme, Diablo Cody; unimaginable talent. I can't imagine how it all could go so wrong.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/23

Full Review

matthew r

Decent. Not a huge fan of Meryl Streep but it was a fun, albeit disjointed story, where a couple of songs and everyone is forgiven in the end. Worth it if you're looking for a dorky light movie to watch.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

isla s

I want to start by saying that this is primarily a film about a dysfunctional family, rather than a film about a rock star/musician. If you hope or expect this to be about a famously popular rock star and full of constant musical numbers, then you'll be disappointed, although there are a fair few. However, its not an awful film - I felt I could relate to some aspects of numerous characters, of Ricki's family and I did enjoy most of the music. I can't say im entirely convinced by Meryl Streeps vocal abilities (there was one moment in particular that made me cringe in between scenes but for the most part it sounded ok). Some scenes of this film are lighthearted, frivolous and fun but there are serious plot elements too, with her daughter having mental health issues and struggling following a divorce, hence it not being purely comedy or music focussed. I enjoyed most of the songs that Ricky played and found myself tapping my toes and thinking of the lyrics ahead of time, as I recognised a fair few songs ('Bad Romance' by Lady Gaga, 'Get The Party Started' by Pink and 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' by U2) but, as I say, these musical performances are sparsely shown. Still, I suppose it works reasonably well in terms of it highlighting the happier moments. It is a bit of a 'hodge podge' of a film but its not too bad - I certainly enjoyed it more than I disliked it. There are some cringe-y moments and if your prone to argue with siblings, then you'll probably be able to relate to it. I'd recommend this film, if you know what its about and don't expect it to be something it isn't. Its not by any means especially great but it is quite fun at times (sobering at others) and it has a nice nostalgic vibe/element to it, so in summary its certainly good. Its a feel good film for some of its duration but not entirely, which is perhaps a shame but I'm sure there are worse films out there, make of that what you will.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Jonathan Demme

Director

Meryl Streep

Ricki Rendazzo

Kevin Kline

Pete Brummel

Rick Springfield

Greg

Mamie Gummer

Julie

Audra McDonald

Maureen

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St. Vincent

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Ricki and the Flash: International Trailer 1

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Anthony Lane

New Yorker

Demme is unrivalled at filming bands at play—and at noticing the folks who listen and dance along—and Streep’s part is worthy of her formidable gifts.

Aug 29, 2022

Full Review

Catherine Eaton

Bitch Media

[Ricki And The Flash] carries a maturity that her earlier films lacked... Despite that, the movie ends in a syrupy sweet reconciliation.

Feb 9, 2021

Full Review

Max Weiss

Baltimore Magazine

Streep makes us care about Ricki even when she's being a stubborn jerk. It's another astonishing performance by her, in a film just good enough to deserve it.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 12, 2016

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Cody and her characters have more esteem for Ricki than the audience, and she never quite convinces us that the character is worth the complete redemption she receives.

Rated: 2/4

May 29, 2022

Full Review

Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Ricki and the Flash is stale, slapdash filmmaking-with the inevitable incorporation of identity politics-and largely a placeholder.

Feb 26, 2021

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

The truth is that there are a handful of performers who make nearly everything they do better. Streep is one of these performers.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 21, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

It's been a roller-coaster ride for Ricki Rendazzo (Meryl Streep), a one-time wife and mother of three who left her family behind to follow her dreams of rock 'n' roll stardom in California. Now, the singer and guitarist must face the music when she returns home to Indiana to reconnect with ex-husband Pete (Kevin Kline), troubled daughter Julie, engaged son Josh and younger son Adam. Filled with regret, Ricki hopes to find redemption for all of the bad choices that she made in the past.

Director: Jonathan Demme
Executive Producer: Adam Siegel, Lorene Scafaria, Ben Waisbren, Ronald M. Bozman
Screenwriter: Diablo Cody
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Clinica Estetico, TriStar Pictures, LStar Capital
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Brief Drug Content|Sexuality|Thematic Material)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 7, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.8M
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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