Being The Ricardos (2021)

Set during the second season of the hit sitcom I LOVE LUCY in 1952. Its star Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) is accused of being a communist by columnist Walter Winchell which could possibly derail her and her husband Desi Arnaz's (Javier Bardem) careers. Ball must also contend with her husband's infidelity as well as the network's refusal to incorporate her real life pregnancy into the show. Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin (TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7), I found this a never less than engrossing backstage tale with a knockout performance by Nicole Kidman. Kidman wisely doesn't even attempt to emulate Ball but instead chooses to concentrate on character over imitation. Despite having Ball's children (Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr.) has executive producers, the movie doesn't attempt to gloss over their parents' flaws. Ball is portrayed as a fierce iron lady and one can see why Arnaz would be intimidated and look elsewhere for feminine companionship. As one expects from an Aaron Sorkin film, the dialogue is pungent and incisive and Kidman spits it out with razor like precision. But it's not all Lucy and Desi. The characters of William Frawley (J.K. Simmons) and especially Vivian Vance (Nina Arianda) are given ample room to develop their characters. Sorkin takes dramatic license though I wish he had researched the period more. For example, in a flashback to 1942, Ball wishes she were getting the roles Rita Hayworth and Judy Holliday were getting. Except that Judy Holliday was NOT a big star in 1942! She had some bit parts in 1944 and didn't return to Hollywood until 1949! With Ronny Cox, Linda Lavin and Clark Gregg.