Meryl Streep can rock it. Known for her consummate skill to immerse herself into a character, she is more than believable with her strangely braided rock hair-do, her leather rock star fashion, her loaded down with jewelry look and even a tattoo in Ricki and the Flash.
In this film, Meryl plays an unsuccessful and aging singer living in California. She abandoned her husband and three children in Indianapolis years earlier to pursue her dream. By day she works as a cashier at a high-end supermarket and by night, she heads up the Flash, the cover band at the Salt Cellar. The patrons at the bar love her and the band, singing and dancing along every night. She works two jobs, but is perpetually broke, although the reason is never made clear.
Out of the blue her ex-husband calls her. Daughter Julie (played by real-life daughter Mamie Gummer) is in trouble and he pleads with Ricki to come home. Hesitatingly, Ricki flies back but meets with a cool reception.
Her daughter does not want to see her. One son is engaged (a complete surprise to Ricki) and was not intending to invite her to the impending nuptials, while her other son is gay, but she refuses to believe it, hoping he is bisexual instead.
Her ex-husband, played by Kevin Kline, has mixed emotions and seems to be in need of some closure. Ricki comes home with hopes to make amends with this very hostile group.
Screenwriter Diablo Cody, award-winning writer of Juno, has set up her characters carefully. There is resentment, bitterness, curiosity and even a little jealousy thrown in. Watch the sparks fly as the family drama unfolds.
But keep an ear open as well. The band sounds great. Meryl can hold a tune and even learned to play guitar for authenticity. She's got great backup in Rick Springfield, an actor and rock star in his own right.
The DVD includes one extra feature: Getting Ready for Ricki: The Making of Ricki and the Flash. Also releasing on DVD today are American Ultra, A Hard Day, No Escape and Shaun the Sheep Movie. Click here for a full list of DVD releases. ~ Sharon Salsberg
We are giving away two DVD copies of Ricki and the Flash. Simply leave a comment below and tell us the name of your favorite Meryl Streep movie.
Death Becomes Her is my fave.
As a fellow cover band artist, I have seen many "Ricky's" over the last 30 years. There can never be too many! They're out there doing what they love! Favorite Streep movie: too many but going with "the Devil Wears Prada". Pure Awesomeness...
Out of Africa
Mamma Mia
The French Lieutenant's Woman
The Devil Wears Prada
Out of Africa
Sophie's Choice
Loved her in THE RIVER WILD!!!
Kramer vs. Kramer
The River Wild
Out of Africa
Momma Mia
The devil wears prada
The Bridges of Madison County is my favorite Meryl Streep movie
Terms of endearment
Death becomes her
Out of Africa
Fav. MERYL STREEP movie. DOUBT
The River Wild.
I loved Ricki and the Flash (actually saw it twice in the theatre)! Meryl Streep is SO diverse which is why she is one of my favorite actresses. To simply choose one movie which is my absolute favorite of hers is difficult, yet since that is what is required to leave a comment here I would have to say, "It's Complicated!".
Hate to break it to your Kevin, but Meryl Streep was not in Terms of Endearment....Shirley McLean and Debra Winger...
Death Becomes Her
The Devil Wears Prada was one of my favourites...she was so good!
Mamma mia
The Devil Wears Prada. i would love to win this to give to my mother, she loves meryl streep and its also her birthday soon!
Mamma Mia!
Julie and Julia. She played a spot on Julia Child
French Lieutenants Woman
Mamma Mia
The Devil Wears Prada
I liked her in The Iron Lady.Thanks!
The River Wild
I loved the Bridges of madison County-also the River Wild-can I have 3 favorites, please?
Silkwood. A powerful story that had to be told.
So hard to pick just one because she is soooo talented. Bridges of Madison County
Bridges of Madison County
Kramer vs. Kramer
Terms of endearment
The Iron Lady was one of my favourite Meryl Streep films
My favorite Meryl Streep movie is The French Lieutenant's Woman.
My favorite Meryl Streep movie is Silkwood and Sophie's Choice.
Kramer Vs. Kramer
I love every movie Meryl Streep is in, but I think Kramer Vs Kramer AND Terms of Endearment are tied as my favourites.
The Devil Wears Prada
Ricki and the Flash!!
iloved the movie ricki and the flash it was a good movie i loved rick springfield in it he rocked hope i win it from patricia tucker in wheeling illionis
For the love of god people...she was not in Terms of Endearment...
Mamma Mia! Meryl Streep is an amazing actress! She is incredibly versatile!!
I haven't gotten to see this movie yet, it came to some parts of Montana but i was unable to travel because of health reasons and well money. so would love to win this, as i know Rick and Meryl look awesome together, heard all my friends caught it in theaters and loved it so it has to be good
I absolutely loved Meryl first of all in Kramer versus Kramer. What a wonderful role! Then I went on to love her in Sophie's Choice! This movie is so different for her, but I love watching her rock out!
The Devil Wears Prada
Mamma Mia!
The Devil Wears Prada
So many to choose from: Julie and Julia, Devil Wears Prada. Hope Springs but I liked It's Complicated best!
Julie and Julia
Mamma Mia
she is an actress you can honestly say is simply fabulous; I have loved her in everything, my recent fav is August:Osage County
I love all her movies! She is a genious at becoming the chacter she is playing. My favorite has to be "Sophie's Choice" which comes to mind whenever I am faced with a difficult choice--puts everything in perspective!
Mamma Mia is my favorite.
Out of Africa
The River Wild
The Devil Wears Prada
Mamma Mia
The Devil Wears Prada!
"Prairie Home Companion." The gal can sing; oh yeah!