Ricki and the Flash

Name: Ricki and the Flash
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Music, Musical
Released: August 7, 2015
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 54
Cast: Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep, Rick Springfield, Sebastian Stan

2015

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 36 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 82 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 82 Ratings

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Ricki And The Flash

Movie Details & Credits

TriStar Pictures | Release Date: August 7, 2015

Starring: Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep, Rick Springfield, Sebastian Stan

Summary: Ricki Rendazzo (Meryl Streep) is a guitar heroine who made a world of mistakes as she followed her dreams of rock-and-roll stardom. Returning home, Ricki gets a shot at redemption and a chance to make things right as she faces the music with her family, including her daughter (Mamie Gummer), her ex-husband (Kevin Kline) and his new wifeRicki Rendazzo (Meryl Streep) is a guitar heroine who made a world of mistakes as she followed her dreams of rock-and-roll stardom. Returning home, Ricki gets a shot at redemption and a chance to make things right as she faces the music with her family, including her daughter (Mamie Gummer), her ex-husband (Kevin Kline) and his new wife (Audra McDonald). [Sony Pictures]… Expand

Director: Jonathan Demme

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Music, Musical

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 101 min

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Critic Reviews

Boston Globe - Ty Burr

Aug 6, 2015

Because Demme genuinely likes people and is interested in them, Ricki and the Flash feels like “Stella Dallas” as remade by Jean Renoir — it’s a humanist suburban fable. Read full review

ReelViews - James Berardinelli

Aug 6, 2015

It's an entertaining diversion - a good way to pass a couple of hours as late summer evenings lengthen - but not much more. Read full review

Screen International - John Hazelton

Aug 3, 2015

A breezy but touching dysfunctional family dramedy, with real heart and some genuine musical soul. Read full review

Variety - Andrew Barker

Aug 3, 2015

This is a shaggy, easily distractible film that consistently defies expectations to both charming and baffling effect. Read full review

The New York Times - A.O. Scott

Aug 6, 2015

Ricki’s attitudes, and their place in the family and the society she inhabits, are the most interesting part of the movie, or at least they would be if Ms. Cody and Mr. Demme were not so weirdly conflict-averse. Read full review

Rolling Stone - Peter Travers

Aug 6, 2015

It helps that Kevin Kline excels as Ricki's ex, and Mamie Gummer, Streep's real-life daughter, imbues the fictional version with rare grit and grace. Otherwise, too many wrong notes. Read full review

TheWrap - Alonso Duralde

Aug 3, 2015

It’s fine to forfeit elements like stakes or suspense for a character piece, but when the characters are this vague, there’s nothing on which to hang your hat (or headband, for that matter). Read full review

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User Reviews

mickster072

Aug 10, 2015

I think the movie was well written, I think Meryl Streep and Rick Springfield had a lot of chemistry. I thought Rick Springfield excelled in his role as did Meryl. I would give this movie 5 stars...

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Skitty515

Aug 10, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A great feel-good movie. Rick Springfield rocked the house. The film really hit home with my husband who has a daughter and and experienced what it was like to have a step parent come in and take over your role in your child's life. I will definitely see this movie again.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MaryDau

Aug 10, 2015

Ricki and the Flash is a good movie with amazing music, family drama, and a message. All the bar scenes concerts were recorded live and I feel like it worked well. I would love that to be my neighborhood bar. Ricki is deeply flawed and unapologetic for her choices in life even if it hurtRicki and the Flash is a good movie with amazing music, family drama, and a message. All the bar scenes concerts were recorded live and I feel like it worked well. I would love that to be my neighborhood bar. Ricki is deeply flawed and unapologetic for her choices in life even if it hurt the people she loves. She does come through when her daughter has a crisis. Streep and Cline seemed to not mesh well, but maybe that is the point since their characters are no longer together. We see the life Ricki rejected, and Ricki seemed content with the one she has chosen. Greg, Ricki's lead guitarist is in love with her, but she seems to not think she is worthy of that love. The scenes between Springfield and Streep are wonderful. You should definitely see this movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Jul 4, 2016

Facing what you had left behind to chase your dream.

This is so underrated. I mean it is not a great film, but surely does not deserve bashing. One of the rarest appearance on the screen for Meryl Streep. Totally transformed into a rock star and coming together with her real life daughterFacing what you had left behind to chase your dream.

This is so underrated. I mean it is not a great film, but surely does not deserve bashing. One of the rarest appearance on the screen for Meryl Streep. Totally transformed into a rock star and coming together with her real life daughter was another highlight. Impressive performances by others too. The Music was good with a combination of bit emotions and comedy.

It was the story of an aging rock star who failed to reach the heights. She once gave up on her family over the passion of music and now she returns after receiving a call that her daughter is in a trouble. So the tale focus on her struggling life, as well as because of her past she won't get a warm welcome. It's time to fix everything and as the years pass what changes brings is the remaining narration.

This is life. People are motivated to chase their dreams no matter whatever stands between them. This was a similar theme where a woman goes after what she wanted to be, but her family comes in between. And you know the success is not for everyone, so in that situation, how a person reacts to all the miscalculations in her life is what this film is about. It was actually a well told story, but the critics did not like it and given some lame excuses. To me it was a decent film, definitely not the worst, so all I'm saying is you should try it if you like music.

7/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Aug 9, 2015

Meryl Streep plays a rocker who never made it big, but still gigs with her group. When her daughter (real-life daughter Mamie Gummer) hits a rough patch, mom returns home to her trio of children, who are bitter at her deserting them for her musical aspirations. The script by Diablo Cody isMeryl Streep plays a rocker who never made it big, but still gigs with her group. When her daughter (real-life daughter Mamie Gummer) hits a rough patch, mom returns home to her trio of children, who are bitter at her deserting them for her musical aspirations. The script by Diablo Cody is structurally trite with almost none of the snarky comedy that made her famous. Director Jonathan Demme has never been known for warm family stories, so this stretch is competent, but uninspired. Streep creates an interesting character and makes a pretty cool rock singer, but Gummer has some of the best moments. Without the A-list cast, this film would feel more at home on Lifetime.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Thegodfatherson

Aug 9, 2015

Its decent, and there is not much more I can say about it. Ricki And The Flash features one of Meryl Streep's best performance in years. She shines a beautiful energy on screen and is very enjoyable to watch. The film slowly turns into a boring melodrama towards its climax, but for what IIts decent, and there is not much more I can say about it. Ricki And The Flash features one of Meryl Streep's best performance in years. She shines a beautiful energy on screen and is very enjoyable to watch. The film slowly turns into a boring melodrama towards its climax, but for what I saw, Ricki And The Flash was a decent, if not hilarious comedy with great acting and is directed well by Jonathan Demme.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Glorywar

Aug 8, 2015

I thought this movie was very boring, depressing and uninteresting. Meryl Streep didn't seem comfortable in her role. Considering her amazing talent, she was a disappointment. It was sad to witness as the only reason I went was because of her playing in it. Cosmetic surgery did nothingI thought this movie was very boring, depressing and uninteresting. Meryl Streep didn't seem comfortable in her role. Considering her amazing talent, she was a disappointment. It was sad to witness as the only reason I went was because of her playing in it. Cosmetic surgery did nothing to convince me she was of an age to be her children's mother.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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