Opened: December 10, 2021

Directed by: Aaron Sorkin

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, J. K. Simmons, Nina Arianda, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat, Jake Lacy, John Rubinstein, Linda Lavin, Ronny Cox, Clark Gregg, Nelson Franklin, Jeff Holman, Jonah Platt, Christopher Denham, Brian Howe & Ron Perkins

In 1953, the team of I Love Lucy went through one hell of a week. In this film, writer and director Aaron Sorkin expertly captures the craziness of what happens behind the scenes.

Within a day, Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) is accused of being a communist, while her husband Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) is accused of cheating on her. They know that the show they film the following Friday will be the most important of their lives and determine the future of America’s favorite sitcom I Love Lucy.

Kidman masters Sorkin’s wordy screenplay and commands the screen in every scene. Though she and Bardem don’t look like the characters they’re playing, they bring their spirit to the screen.

The film also smartly highlights the racism and sexism of early television.

Final say: You’ll (mostly) love the Ricardos. ★★★★☆