[Review] Being The Ricardos (8.5/10)

Title - Being The Ricardos
Production - Amazon Studios, Escape Artists, Big Indie Pictures
Starring - Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Nina Arianda, J.K. Simmons, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat, Jake Lacey, Linda Lavin, Clark Gregg, Ronny Cox, John Rubinstein, Nelson Franklin, Brian Howe
Writer - Aaron Sorkin
Director - Aaron Sorkin
Release - 21 December 2021

Out of all the Oscar-bait movies from 2021, this (like CODA) was one of the ones that I was least interested in; probably because I didn't know who Lucille Ball was - at least I've heard of her, and even less so for Desi Arnaz. I didn't even know there was a comedy series called "I Love Lucy".

But that's when the magic of the movies happens, isn't it? To witness a beautiful movie play out and to leave an impression that you carry at least for a while.

And even though I don't know these characters and their factual history, the portrayals by Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem made me believe that their versions were accurate. Their performances as well were so unique to this movie that onscreen they didn't look like Kidman or Bardem.

There was also a very strong supporting cast that under the direction of Aaron Sorkin, everyone looked really strong. J.K. Simmons has received a Best Supporting nomination for the upcoming Academy Awards, but because everyone else was so strong that I could put up an argument to have Tony Hale take that spot. 

Nina Arianda or Alia Shawkat probably had a really good shot for their category as well.

Aaron Sorkin's superior direction was not a one-time fluke with The Trial Of The Chicago 7. Even though he was not nominated this year - which he should have - this really cemented him as a director to watch as well as a brilliant script writer.