Ricki And The Flash

It's only natural to have conflicting feelings about any movie that's released. I mean, it's rare to find one that doesn't hit a false note or two along the way. But for me, Ricki And The Flash inspired some truly conflicting emotions. 

It brings together a group of very talented, creative individuals. It has a central character seemingly unlike any presented in modern mainstream cinema. And it explores some really worthy ideas, such as the need for self-expression, honesty and forgiveness.

But for the most part, I also found Ricki And The Flash a complete chore to watch.

Its story lacks substance, its characters are good in theory but also rather one-note and it is thuddingly unsubtle in setting up the conflict between its nominal heroine and the decisions she's made for herself.

Years ago, Linda (Meryl Streep) split from her husband Pete (Kevin Kline) and their three children to rechristen herself Ricki Randazzo and pursue her musical dreams.

Now in her sixties, the chase continues for Ricki, with only one out-of-print album, a minimum-wage job working the counter at a hipster grocery store and a residency at a dive bar with her band The Flash to her name.

So when she's contacted by Pete with news that their daughter Julie (Streep's real-life daughter Mamie Gummer) is spiralling towards a breakdown after being dumped by her husband, Ricki reluctantly heads home to offer a shoulder to cry on.

It's a rough homecoming for all concerned — the cosy domestic life doesn't suit Ricki, and the presence of Ricki doesn't suit anyone else.

It's not really a case of one side being right, the other being wrong — the screenplay by Diablo Cody of Juno fame is admirably even-handed in that regard, even if its characterisations still come across as kind of shallow.

Indeed, Ricki And The Flash is more an exploration of choices and their consequences, which would be interesting and satisfying if the film wasn't wishy-washy and hamfisted by turns.

The presence behind the camera of Jonathan Demme, a filmmaker with a great affinity for fringe dwellers and marginalised people, helps things somewhat — he gives the film a nice, authentic texture when it comes to people and places.

And the lead actors are solid and committed in their performances (although the same can't be said for many of the supporting players, who comes off as grating and obvious).

One of the most pleasant surprises is expat Aussie rockstar Rick Springfield, who brings poignancy to his portrayal of The Flash's lead guitarist and Ricki's on-again off-again boyfriend.

The main attraction here, though, is Streep. She's become so synonymous with Great Acting that it's easy to forget how easily and naturally she slips into a character's skin, and that's the case here.

After only a few minutes, you're not watching Meryl Streep belting out tunes by Springsteen and Lady Gaga. You're watching Ricki, a woman with a bold spirit and a bad attitude. It's a strong performance that deserves a stronger movie.