Ricki and the Flash

What it's about:

Ricki Rendazzo is a guitar heroine who made a world of mistakes as she followed her dreams of rock ‘n roll stardom. Returning home, Ricki gets a shot at redemption and a chance to make things right as she faces the music with her family.

What we thought:

What’s not to love about a film that involves rock ‘n roll, family struggles and Meryl Streep’s singing voice?
Ricki and the Flash is everything you’d expect it to be – a fun loving, feel good, easy watch.

Meryl Streep once again brings her unique charm and while we’ve heard her voice before, she absolutely nails the rock star vibe! We meet her daughter, Mamie Gummer, who pulls off a convincing crazy person and no one can deny the chemistry between the mom and daughter onscreen.

Side note: Check out how Meryl learnt to play guitar for the movie.

It’s the typical rock ‘n roll story only roles are reversed as Ricki (Meryl Streep) leaves three kids with their father to become a rock star.

What makes it a breath of fresh air is that while the scenario is pretty predictable Diablo Cody has managed to highlight the fact that not all men are dogs and if a girl wants to rock out she can. Not that leaving your husband with three kids to live the dream is acceptable but if the guy always gets to do it then a woman should too!

As is to be expected, being a rock star isn’t exactly glamourous and while Ricki faces financial struggles and has three kids that pretty much hate her, she’s convinced she is living the dream… No kidding.

When she goes home to mend broken bonds however things get interesting. Three kids, heaps of baggage and resentment isn’t easy to work through but the balanced mix of drama, comedy and some good music helps set the underlying issues Ricki faces in a lighter way.

Ricki’s band, the Flash, also deserve some credit. The four-man band do a super job at backing their leading lady - cue the lovesick puppy but still a hot rock star boyfriend with killer guitar skills portrayed by Rick Springfield.

In the end Ricki crawls back into her family’s heart and will crawl into yours while she’s at it.

There’s a valuable lesson to be learned from Ricki and her family drama – second chances should come in bulk supply, everyone makes mistakes, what counts is how they make it up to you.

Yes the end is real tear jerker but is such a good way!