FilmSkool — a free film school
Being the Ricardos
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.
2021 · Directed by Aaron Sorkin · 132 min · Drama · History · Screenplay in the scene database · 11 frames
Tagline
A story behind one of the most influential shows of all time.
Plot
The film is told from three perspectives: "present-day" interviews with I Love Lucy's lead writers Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, and Bob Carroll Jr.; flashbacks throughout Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's relationship; and preparations for filming an episode of the show in 1953.
In 1939, Ball is an actress contracted to RKO Pictures, earning the moniker "Queen of the B-Movies". Cast in the failed comedy Too Many Girls, she falls in love with her costar, Cuban singer Arnaz. He assures her of her talent as a comedian, and she confides her dream of simply making a home with someone. They marry and buy a house in Hollywood, but struggle to spend time together, with Arnaz busy fronting his Desi Arnaz Orchestra while Ball continues her film career with little success.
After serving in World War II, Arnaz resumes touring with his orchestra, and Ball lands a starring role in 1942's The Big Street. She meets with RKO President Charles Koerner, expecting to become an established star like Rita Hayworth and Judy Holliday. Instead, he terminates her contract, largely due to her age, and suggests she use her voice for radio. In 1948, she is cast in the radio show My Favorite Husband, which becomes a massive success.
Plot summary from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
Crew
- Written by: Aaron Sorkin
- Cinematography: Jeff Cronenweth
- Edited by: Alan Baumgarten
- Music: Daniel Pemberton
- Production design: Jon Hutman
- Produced by: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch
Cast
- Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball
- Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz
- J.K. Simmons as William Frawley
- Nina Arianda as Vivian Vance
- Tony Hale as Jess Oppenheimer
- Alia Shawkat as Madelyn Pugh
- Jake Lacy as Bob Carroll Jr.
- Linda Lavin as Older Madelyn Pugh
- Ronny Cox as Older Bob Carroll
- John Rubinstein as Older Jess Oppenheimer
Production
- Country: United States of America
- Language: English, Spanish
- Studios: Amazon Studios, Big Indie Pictures, Escape Artists
- Box office: $450,000
- Themes: show business, marriage, biography, based on true story, interracial marriage, hollywood, 1950s, television star
More by Aaron Sorkin
On this film
This is the plain index, shown because JavaScript is off. Every lesson here is a free video published by the channel credited on it and plays through that channel's own embed — FilmSkool hosts nothing.