Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

‘Being the Ricardos’ is absolutely riveting. As someone who is old enough to remember when ‘I Love Lucy’ was the epitome of must see TV, it is a fascinating behind the scenes look at the people who made it. Nicole Kidmann is excellent and just nails the voice and intonations of Lucille Ball. Javier Bardem’s performance is one of charm and strength and gives a glimpse into the character of Desi Arnez. The two bring the couple to life. I really enjoyed watching Nina Arianda and J.K. Simmons as Vivian Vance and William Frawley. I remember reading that they did not particularly like each other and the acerbic wit in this portrayal makes that very clear while still keeping each one likable. This is not only an excellent portrayal of television pioneers, it is also a look at the beginning of changing mores in this country. Moving from only showing twin beds for a couple to featuring a pregnancy was a giant step. It also shows the mania surrounding the cold war fears of communist subversion. ‘Being the Ricardos’ is well worth watching, even if one is not really familiar with the ‘I Love Lucy’ shows. It’s a look back at the a different time in this country as well as the early days of television.