Movie Review: ‘Ricki and the Flash’ is a hit-and-miss rock-tinged drama

RICKI AND THE FLASH (PG-13)

Jonathan Demme, the director responsible for “Silence of the Lambs” and “Philadelphia” as well as lesser seen gems like “Married to the Mob” and the outstanding Talking Heads concert film “Stop Making Sense,” returns with “Ricki and the Flash,” a hit-and-miss collaboration with “Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody and iconic screen legend, Meryl Streep.

In this rock ‘n’ roll-tinged drama, Streep plays Ricki Rendazzo, a bar band rock singer who is summoned by her estranged ex-husband, Pete (Kevin Kline), to help deal with their emotionally distraught and extremely depressed daughter, Julie (played by Streep’s real life daughter, Mamie Gummer). Somewhat reluctantly, Ricki decides to leave her bandmate boyfriend, Greg (played by rocker Rick Springfield), and her comfortable surroundings for a while so that she might make a difference in the life of a young woman whose childhood Ricki had largely missed.

Upon arrival, Ricki sticks out like a sore thumb, but she still does her best to integrate herself back into Julie’s life, much to the dismay of stepmother Maureen (Audra McDonald). Ricki also learns that she’s been left out of the loop when it comes to the personal dealings of the rest of her estranged family. This includes the trials and tribulations of a gay son and a second boy who is engaged to be married. It’s abundantly clear that there’s quite a bit of family dysfunction going on here, and Ricki’s arrival only adds to the drama.

Streep is, quite simply, one of the great actresses of our time. Even in her mid-60s, she continues to do quality work. In fact, one might argue that her mid- and later-career work is every bit as vital as the stuff she was doing when she first burst on to the scene in the ‘70s.

Her Ricki Rendazzo is quite the colorful character, and Streep infuses her with vulnerability and a rebellious, teenage-like sense of recklessness. It’s tough to not judge Ricki for many of the poor choices she’s made in her life. This is a woman who pretty much marches to the beat of her own drum, but it should be noted that Ricki does have regrets, and while she puts up a tough exterior, she is easily rattled.

This is a multi-faceted character, and it’s easy to see why Streep would want to play her. Furthermore, the Oscar winning actress is once again afforded the opportunity to stretch her singing chops, and while she’s decent in that department, her vocals suggest that there’s a reason Ricki never hit the big time as a performer. I suppose, though, that’s part of the point of the movie. Ricki isn’t the greatest singer on the planet, but she loves what she does. On the flip side, while Streep might just be the greatest actress on the planet, I couldn’t help but feel that there were times in this picture when she tried a little too hard.

Streep’s daughter, Mamie Gummer (“The Ward,” “Cake”), is wildly intense—almost comically so—as a depressed and volatile Julie, and props should go to her for not being afraid to go the unglamorous route. Admittedly, it was quite a joy seeing her act opposite her very famous mom, but viewers should know that their relationship is only a very small part of the film.

My favorite performance in “Ricki and the Flash” comes courtesy of Rick Springfield. As Ricki’s guitar playing lover, this ‘80s sex symbol brings warmth and sensitivity to the role of Greg. Springfield’s very best scene finds him expressing the truth about our ties with our children to an utterly confused Ricki, and it’s probably the most effective moment in the movie.

“Ricki and the Flash” is an odd film. It meanders and tap dances between serious dysfunctional family drama, dark comedy, and rock musical, and I don’t know that it ever achieves greatness in any of those three areas.

Ultimately, there’s something somewhat artificial about “Ricki and the Flash” as a whole, and it doesn’t come close to matching the dramatic power on display in the similarly themed “Rachel Getting Married” (also directed by Demme). However, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a few isolated moments that I quite liked in this picture, most of which were supplied by an extremely likable Rick Springfield and the incomparable Meryl Streep.