Watch Ricki and the Flash

Ricki and the Flash is a 2015 American comedy-drama musical film directed by Jonathan Demme and written by Diablo Cody. It stars Meryl Streep as a rockstar named Ricki Rendazzo, who sacrificed her family life for her music career. The film explores the themes of family relationships, regret, and redemption. The movie opens with Ricki performing with her band, The Flash, at a local bar in California. She lives paycheck to paycheck and struggles to make ends meet. One day, she receives a call from her ex-husband, Pete (Kevin Kline), informing her that their daughter, Julie (Mamie Gummer), is going through a difficult time and needs her mother. Ricki reluctantly travels to Indiana to re-connect with her family, whom she abandoned years ago.

Upon her arrival, Ricki is met with hostility from her ex-husband, who has since remarried. Her children, including Julie, are initially weary of her and the tension between them is palpable. Despite the initial hostility, Ricki persists in trying to connect with her family, especially her troubled daughter. Ricki's attempt at reconciliation is further complicated by her ex-husband's objections and his refusal to forgive her for abandoning their family.

As Ricki spends more time with her family, she starts to realize the gravity of the damage she has caused to her children's lives. All the while, the movie showcases Ricki's love for music and how it has been a saving grace for her throughout her life. The film also explores the notion of being true to oneself, and how society's expectations can often come into conflict with our personal desires.

As the story progresses, warm and bittersweet moments are weaved in with the family's confrontational arguments. Throughout, Meryl Streep delivers an incredible performance that is both raw and compelling, bringing out the complexities of Ricki's character with her portrayal.

The film also features a number of musical performances by Streep and her co-stars, which are delightful and moving. The music is an integral part of the film, used to convey the emotions of the characters and to drive the narrative forward.

Overall, Ricki and the Flash is an emotional tale that highlights the power of music, and the challenges of balancing personal desires with societal expectations. It explores the complexities of familial relationships and the importance of second chances, even under the toughest of circumstances. The film delivers a powerful message that is sure to resonate with audiences for years to come.

Ricki and the Flash is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 54.