Ricki And The Flash (2015)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Meryl Streep's outstanding work helps Ricki and the Flash overcome its inconsistent tone and fairly predictable premise.
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Ricki Rendazzo
as Julie
as Pete Brummel
as Greg
as Maureen
as Joshua
as Buster
as Joe
as Billy
as Daniel
as Walt
as Provovative Dancer
as Provocative Dancer
as Sharon
as Whitey
as Elvis Guy
as Elvis Guy
as Salt Well Drinker
as Salt Well Dancer
as Troy
as Total Foods Customer
as TSA Employee
as TSA Employee
as Impatient Traveler
as Waiting Woman
as Community Security Guard
as Single Dad
as Journey
as Restaurant Hostess
as Adam
as Emily
as Waiter
as Hair Stylist
as Nail Clerk
as Max
as Nicole
as Bartender
as Max's Friends
as Max's Friend
as Max's Friend
as Max's Friend
as Max's Friend
as Max's Friend
as Selfie Girl
as Goodwill Sales Lady
as Bodhi
as Wedding Waitress
as Oma
as Desmond
as Pete's Cousin Jeff
as Snobby Guest
as Wedding Officiant
as Harpist
as Mother of the Bride
as Father of the Bride
as Julie's Escort
as Bridesmaid
as Bridesmaid
as Bridesmaid
as Groomsmen
as Groomsmen
as Inquiring Woman
as Microphone Handler
as Bremen Quintet
as Wedding Dancer
as Wedding Dancer
as Wedding Dancer
as Wedding Dancer
News & Interviews for Ricki And The Flash
Critic Reviews for Ricki And The Flash
All Critics (183) | Top Critics (45) | Fresh (115) | Rotten (68)
The mighty Meryl is supported by a fine cast (most of whom are onscreen less than they deserve to be). But, despite some resonant moments Ricki and the Flash suffers from scenes that belie believability.
The movie is mature in the way it handles the regrets of absentee parents and the ways in which their children relate to them. There's a little Hollywood artifice here but not so much that the emotions feel inauthentic.
Streep's latest mom role, as Ricki Rendazzo in Ricki and the Flash, has a light, Mamma Mia! vibe, but it still hits all those hot buttons.
Despite Streep's best efforts, Ricki seems more of a contrivance than a flesh-and-blood character.
The film, which Diablo Cody wrote and Jonathan Demme directed, is a work of bulk-size bogusness. Barely a single scene is convincing.
Just when the story beats start to feel unbearably obvious, the film changes keys, becoming less family dramedy than a concert film.
Audience Reviews for Ricki And The Flash
For Meryl Streep fans only. And then after at least half a bottle of vino. Or a joint. Or both. Yeah, both.
Super Reviewer
Okay drama of aging rocker trying to be there for her family after many years away isn't bad but goes on about ten minutes longer than it should.
Super Reviewer
A down-and-out, estranged mother comes back into the lives of her upper-middle-class children, ex-husband and his perfect second wife (played by perfect Audra McDonald, naturally). She wins them back through music, and it's really just so much fun. I know Meryl Streep is lauded as the best dramatic actress of her generation, but I've always thought the grand dame a bit stuffy and boring. Perhaps that's why I liked her departure into blue-lidded, Alanis-braided, tatted-up, has-been rockstar. The thing is, Meryl Streep ISN'T a badass; she dabbles in it, as does her character Ricki whom she plays as appropriately lost and hopeful and distant and maternal. She performs the mellow, classic rock selections better than the (possibly altered) mezzo belting of the Witch in "Into the Woods" and the tinny pop of Donna in "Mamma Mia." It's unfortunate that Streep breaks her streak of annual Oscar nominations, seeing as most critics found her performance campy and the movie predictable. Oh well. Mamie Gummer, Streep's doppelganger daughter, is a bit one-note ragey and one-note catatonic, but her Resting Bitch Face is intensely formidable, and I like the casting of real life family members in movies.
Super Reviewer
Ricki And The Flash Quotes
| Greg: | It doesn't matter if your kids love you or not. It's not their job to love you, it's your job to love them! |
| Pete Brummel: | I've been trying to call you. |
| Ricki Rendazzo: | How can I help. |
| Pete Brummel: | You can be there for your family. |