Ricki and the Flash
TriStar Pictures | Release Date: August 7, 2015
6.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 84 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
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41
Mixed:
30
Negative:
13
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5
LynNov 27, 2015
Don't think you will see a reprise of Meryl Streep's rollicking musical performance that concludes "Postcards From the Edge." Streep is a conscientious actor even when she has to portray mediocrity. Her rough appearance (those ridiculousDon't think you will see a reprise of Meryl Streep's rollicking musical performance that concludes "Postcards From the Edge." Streep is a conscientious actor even when she has to portray mediocrity. Her rough appearance (those ridiculous braids!) and obvious study of guitar are pretty impressive, but it's still a cliched family dysfunction story that never offers any surprises. Then throw in some hackneyed old rock songs you never really needed to hear again. ("Woolly Bully" ???) Streep's daughter Mamie Gummer does a good job in a role that's also pretty cliched.I'll admit the feel-good denouement is pretty enjoyable, though.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
JacobJan 3, 2016
Ricki and the Flash is a nothing film. Despite the promise of conflict with a fractured family, Julie’s depression, and Ricki’s conflicting lifestyles the film doesn’t do any of that. Instead the story is a backdrop for tons of songs that padRicki and the Flash is a nothing film. Despite the promise of conflict with a fractured family, Julie’s depression, and Ricki’s conflicting lifestyles the film doesn’t do any of that. Instead the story is a backdrop for tons of songs that pad out the film. Tensions between family members are quickly resolved, conflict never escalates, Ricki lacks a fulcru, and everything after Ricki goes back to California is one just big slog until the end. If it wasn’t for Strypp there would be no desire to see this movie. Strypp makes the most of it but it isn’t enough.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
TVJerryAug 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 herMeryl 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
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6
SpangleAug 27, 2015
Ricki and the Flash is far from being outstanding, but certainly serves a role in being above average entertainment and a showcase for some of the actors. Meryl Streep, in classic Streep fashion, is fantastic as Ricki/Linda, the wannabeRicki and the Flash is far from being outstanding, but certainly serves a role in being above average entertainment and a showcase for some of the actors. Meryl Streep, in classic Streep fashion, is fantastic as Ricki/Linda, the wannabe rockstar who tries to mend her fractured relationship with her children. Mamie Gummer is also great as her daughter and Rick Springfield does quite well as Ricki's bandmate and boyfriend. The film is quite well written by Diablo Cody and well directed by Jonathan Demme, though neither are fantastic, but get the job done here. The film is also quite funny and touching throughout, seamlessly transitioning between serious and comedic scenes with nary a hitch. Overall, Ricki and the Flash is an entertaining film that certainly is no Award winner, but you could do far worse going to the cinema here at the end of summer.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
danippAug 30, 2015
It's fun, Streep gives an amazing performance and soundtrack is contagious. On the other hand, the script fails to give a major study in supporting characters, developed dialogues and a proper depth on a potential story. The idea was good butIt's fun, Streep gives an amazing performance and soundtrack is contagious. On the other hand, the script fails to give a major study in supporting characters, developed dialogues and a proper depth on a potential story. The idea was good but the film would have been much better if there was more talk then music. It's a nice entertainment if you search for a light movie though. But nothing more.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
TheQuietGamerDec 14, 2015
Solid performances and decent drama make for a sweet, but ultimately familiar and predictable movie with an incomplete plot. The plot goes underdeveloped in favor of several musical performances. As a result there's isn't a real sense ofSolid performances and decent drama make for a sweet, but ultimately familiar and predictable movie with an incomplete plot. The plot goes underdeveloped in favor of several musical performances. As a result there's isn't a real sense of conclusion. A shame given how solid the drama elements are.

Yeah, it didn't break any new ground or deliver any elements we haven't seen before, but the strong performances keep you engaged in it. It's just a shame the movie just sort of stops trying to push the plot forward or set up a real conclusion in favor of just focusing on rock n' roll performances. At least these performances are solidly entertaining. Streep proves once again that she can sing pretty well, even if she does butcher a few songs.

The movie is a hodgepodge of a musical and a dysfunctional family drama that's filled with regret and touches of humor. However the two elements don't blend all that successfully here, and as a result we get an unfinished plot. I can't say that I wasn't entertained throughout it's running time. I even got a few laughs. However at the end of the movie I didn't feel satisfied. The conflicts in the story go more and more ignored as the film goes on. As a result there's no real conclusion to the events and the movie is a disappointment as a result. An entertaining disappointment, but a disappointment nonetheless.

I give the movie a 6.7/10… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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4
GreatMartinAug 7, 2015
When the best acting in a movie starring Meryl Streep is done by Rick Springfield you know the film “Ricki and the Flash” is in trouble. Unlike other scenes where either screen writer, Diablo Cody, and/or the director, Jonathan Demme, wereWhen the best acting in a movie starring Meryl Streep is done by Rick Springfield you know the film “Ricki and the Flash” is in trouble. Unlike other scenes where either screen writer, Diablo Cody, and/or the director, Jonathan Demme, were afraid to go one step further and make it interesting, the one between Streep and Springfield is emotionally moving.

Meryl Streep is a has-been who never was. She left behind three children to pursue her music career to become a rock star moving to California from Indiana and now many years later is called home by her ex, Pete played by Kevin Kline, because their daughter, Julie, played by Streep’s real life daughter Mamie Gummer, was left by her husband and he feels she needs her. Unbeknown to Ricki, who real name is Linda Brummel, her daughter also tried to commit suicide and is in therapy.

Pete has remarried and Maureen, Audra McDonald, along with Julie, live in a gated community McMansion. Ricki/Linda is broke, works during the day for a Whole Food-like business as a cashier and at night she and her 4 man Flash crew are the house band who play mainly to an older crowd with the bartender the youngest person and is devoted to Ricki.

With strong actors like Streep, Kline and McDonald the scenes between them lack the force that is needed to make them count. When McDonald and Streep face each other you expect sparks to fly but they just don’t. Kline and Streep have a mild high on pot---how 60s--scene that doesn’t go anywhere. The time between Ricki/Linda and her not completely accepting of her gay son, Adam, played by Nick Westrate or her and her about to be married son Josh, played by Sebastian Stan, who though holding affection for his mother doesn’t want to invite her to his wedding are so low keyed they seem to be in another movie.

he fact that Ricki/Linda is a Republican Obama hating conservative with a US flag ‘don’t tread on me’ tattoo on her back is put out there and then nothing is done with it. Too many times there are musical interludes where there should have been exploration of the dynamics between the movie’s characters. The Hollywood ‘happy ever after’ ending isn’t earned nor does it really make any sense.

With a $17 million budget and Streep’s name it will probably make money!… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
ThegodfathersonAug 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 aIts 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
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6
EpicLadySpongeApr 29, 2016
A "Been there, done that!" experience, Ricki and the Flash becomes predictable the next time you see this movie. The first time you may love, but you're going to regret that when you see it again.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
mmh35Dec 2, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Meryl Streep is hands down one of the best actresses of all time. Unfortunately, the writing let's her and the rest of the cast down. I love that Rick Springfield is in the movie. I do feel however that there were too many musical numbers and not enough attention paid to Ricki's two sons. Yes, Ricki comes home to see her daughter who is suffering, but she ends up going to her son Josh's wedding and yet we know nothing about the dynamic of that relationship at all. Then there's her son Adam, who steals the dinner in a restaurant scene. I don't know who the actor is who plays Adam, but he's great in the two big scenes he has in the movie. Kevin Kline has always been a great underrated actor; and Audra McDonald is lovely in the film. I like Mamie Gummer, but I felt her first scene in the movie was completely over the top. She's definitely overacting there, but she calms down as the movie goes on, easing into her role. If they were going to do a wedding in the movie then couldn't they have cast an actress who by the end of the movie you don't easily forget right away? The intended bride, Emily, is so awkward you wonder why Josh is engaged to her. And speaking of Josh, Sebastian Stan is totally underutilized. Jonathan Demme is an accomplished director who should've known better. Did he not see Stan's turns on NBC's shortly lived show Kings and USA's Political Animals? Just watching YouTube clips of these two shows you can see how talented Stan is. Demme used Stan in a scene in Rachel Getting Married, so he should have done more with him, working with him for a second time. They really should have fleshed the characters of Josh and Adam out, giving each actor a great moment with Streep; and they also should have given Streep a nice scene with Emily, played by an actress who Meryl wouldn't completely overtake. It's a decent movie; but it should have been so much better, with the cast they had assembled.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
mitchellkennedyAug 31, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Many viewers will find the title of this movie misleading. Flash is not a dog, and Rikki is no mongoose. This is the story of a female rock guitarist who decides to clean up her act.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
JLuis_001Sep 7, 2017
The film promised but did not meet, the story is lost within the music instead of highlighting what is happening on the screen, is entertaining and distracting, but there are certain failures that are very hard ignore.

Meryl Streep is aThe film promised but did not meet, the story is lost within the music instead of highlighting what is happening on the screen, is entertaining and distracting, but there are certain failures that are very hard ignore.

Meryl Streep is a titanic actress, but this is a clear example that this genre is not her own, she had already failed with Mamma Mia!, I do not understand why she returned to work in a movie with music, her performance is not bad, but this film is irrelevant to her enormous and successful career.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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