Ricki and the Flash 2015

     Linda had a husband and three children, two boys and a girl.  She also had the dream of being a real rock star.  Years have gone by and Linda is now Ricki and she does have a band called The Flash.  She also works as a grocery store checker for a steady income.  Pete, her ex-husband calls from Indiana to tell her that their daughter Julie has had a breakdown.  Julie’s husband left her for another woman.  Ricki has not been to see her children in a long time and they are all adults now.  She feels she really needs to be there for Julie so she takes the next flight out of Los Angeles.  Julie isn’t overjoyed to see Ricki and she doesn’t leave much doubt about her feelings.  Julie does start to perk up a little in a few days and Ricki also gets to see her boys.  Jack is getting married and Ricki doesn’t expect to get an invitation.  Ricki and Pete’s wife Maureen exchange angry words before Ricki flies back to LA.

     Director Jonathan Demme has made several Neil Young documentaries.  Diablo Cody wrote the script and she also wrote Juno and Young Adult.  There isn’t one single surprise in any scene of this film?  Everything goes by a standard check-off list?  I see how makeup can make Mamie Gummer look like she hasn’t slept for two weeks?  Streep did her own guitar and singing which isn’t bad.  Rick Springfield is her backup guitar player and boyfriend.  Joe Vitale is the drummer from the Michael Stanley Band. On the organ is Bernie Worrell from Talking Heads.  On bass is the late Rick Rosas who played with Neil Young on the album Heart of Gold from 2006.  2 ½* (This movie is so-so)

101 min, Comedy directed by Jonathan Demme with Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, Rick Springfield, Ric Rosas, Jow Vitale, Bernie Worrell, Ben Platt, Peter C. Demme.

Note:  Imdb 6.0 out of 10, 65% critic 44% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2*, Amazon 3.3* out of 5* with 727 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Piermont and Yonkers, New York.  Meryl Streep and Mamie Gummer in the role of Julie are mother and daughter in real life.   Streep looks younger than her 66 years but the rocker hairstyle and heavy makeup age her in this film.  Streep was in Sophie’s Choice with Kline in 1982 and Streep was expecting her daughter Mamie Gummer!