Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Ricki Randazzo’s dreams of rock stardom are shrinking in the rearview mirror. While her group, The Flash, is the house band at a dive bar, Ricki (Meryl Streep) struggles as a cashier at an upscale supermarket. It’s there that she receives a call from her ex-husband (Kevin Kline) asking her to come home to Indianapolis as her estranged daughter has attempted suicide. Ricki returns not only to an unstable daughter but also to one son fresh out of the closet and another about to be married… with no intention of inviting her to the wedding. Her remarried ex, meanwhile, enjoys a privileged lifestyle that stands in contrast to Ricki’s poverty. Sadly, inspired acting performances by Streep and Kline and impressive production values suffer at the hands of a predictable plot further degraded by a schmaltzy, maudlin ending.

Having directed the Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense, Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme knows how to film musicians at work. That ability shows here, as concert scenes possess a palpable, gritty reality. Image detail—skin, props, and especially the texture and drape of Kline’s impeccable wardrobe—is unsurpassed. Ricki’s grayscale is black-balanced, with gobs of shadow detail and superb rendition of the darkest hues. Fleshtones are natural, at least indoors, though outdoor shots betray slightly compressed dynamics, and Streep’s pale skin occasionally acquires a ghostly pallor.

If Ricki’s visuals tend toward the dark end of the spectrum, its sonics favor the lower frequencies. As you might expect, concert footage crackles with raw, thunderous power thanks to a welcome dollop of bass emphasis. Dialogue is convincingly conveyed, with inviting warmth and crisp detail. The masterful use of the surround channels beckons and immerses the audience: The hubbub of bar patrons, for example, places listener in the center of the action and will test your system’s balance and resolution.

Included with this Blu-ray package are four deleted scenes. A “Rediscovering Rick Springfield” shortie, which might have illuminated the career of a fine actor and rock star, is limited to shallow praise from cast and crew. The making-of documentary is the lone standout here. We learn, for example, that Streep not only did her own singing but actually learned to play rhythm guitar for this film. Fans of Streep, Demme, and rock ’n’ roll will dig Ricki—just don’t expect greatness.

Blu-Ray
Studio: Sony, 2015
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Audio Format: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Length: 101 mins.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Rick Springfield