MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > Being the Ricardos is Simply Terrific

Being the Ricardos is Simply Terrific

posted 3 years ago by Garyandfilm (548)
5 replies | jump to latest

If you haven't seen Aaron Sorkin's new film, I recommend getting out to a theater before it goes to streaming. It's so good, that it deserves to be seen first on the big screen.

While the cast is extraordinary, its carefully woven script really examines the complex Ball/Arnaz marriage, as well as Lucy's failed movie career. More interestingly, the film closely reveals Ball's creative input into the writing, character and even technical direction.

What's so powerful is the film squarely hits on the sexism that Lucy suffered simply for being a creative genius, while Desi, of course, was a victim of racism.

A truly powerful, surprisingly funny film that has a knockout of an ending.

Get out and see it!

[–] steven1660 (146) 3 years ago

I finally saw the movie, and I thought it was great! Nicole was fantastic as Lucy, I thought she did a great job at embodying her. Javier was pretty good as Desi also.

The only thing I didn't like is the liberties they took with certain things. Like they were writing "Lucy's Italian Movie' during season 2 and they called it "Lucy goes to Italy" I just wish they would have payed attention to certain details. I also wish we could have seen Lucy with her mother and Lucy with little Lucie, to show more of Lucy at home, but the movie is only two hours, they can only show so much.

All in all, I'm happy with how it turned out and Nicole might be nominated for a few awards which is awesome!

[–] Garyandfilm (548) 3 years ago

I had issues with the "liberties", as well (it even bugged me that both "Fred and Ethel Fight" - from season one - and the pregnancy are done in the SECOND apartment, although I liked the recreation and production design).

What has soured me on Sorkin, however, is his disgusting quote to the Hollywood Reporter, in which he claims that anyone watching ILL with "fresh eyes" would realize the show really isn't funny anymore. Yeah, that's why it's endured for 70 years! This jerk made money and fame off of legendary genius, then trashes the show. Idiot. While he's entitled to his personal opinion, it was highly inappropriate for him to state this publicly.

Good grief, didn't he watch the majority of episodes before writing the script??? Or did he simply watch the roughly ten or twelve clunkers? Pretty tacky comment, which probably didn't sit well with Lucie and Desi Jr.

[–] steven1660 (146) 3 years ago

Yes, I just read that article myself, and I couldn't believe he said that! I love Lucy is and will always he hilarious. Nicole Kidman said she watched it with her family and they all loved it. It seems like the actors had a lot of respect for the shot, but him not so much, which is very weird. I know everyone has different tastes, but he should not have said that.

Nicole kid a lot better than I thought she would. And she really studied Lucy, and got into her head and learned to talk like her etc. A lot of the quoted Aaron Sorkin has said are just dumb. But, I'm glad the movie is being as well received as it is.

[–] Ken12602 (499) 3 years ago

I enjoyed the movie too. The only casting choice that wasn't spot on for me was Vivian Vance since the actress seemed a little too young for Ethel but she still did a good job in the role.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (12589) 3 years ago

I'm a big Lucy fan and I plan on seeing it. Ball was a comedic genius. I don't watch much tv. But those old reruns never get old.

I would have suspected Arnaz faced much racism. It's astounding that an interracial couple had the most successful sitcom of the 1950's. It was another 20 years before interracial couples were accepted on tv. It's still rare.