Review: Ricki and the Flash

If you look closely you’ll notice that Carmen Carrera plays the hair stylist in Streep’s new movie!

BY NATHANIEL ROGERS 

How does one act a hoarse voice? Short of screaming all night into your pillow before a key scene, as I’ve heard some actors do to simulate it, it’s not something that’s all that fakeable. This kept coming to mind watching Meryl Streep in Ricki and The Flash. Ricki Randazzo, her new aging rocker alter ego, sings/screams her lungs out all night with the house band of her local dive bar and works a demeaning low wage job all day. She doesn’t take care of herself. Ricki’s voice is hoarse for the entire movie. After admiring Streep’s dedication to nailing a character you might want to say a silent prayer or offer a symbolic lozenge for her vocal chords if they did in fact receive torturous screaming abuse behind the scenes in order to sound just this way. What did they ever do to deserve this?

Whatever it was, the sacrifice was worth it, having given us Ricki.

It’s hard to think of a similar character in the movies and original characters, particularly of the mature female variety, are rare unicorns and must be cherished when they appear. In other words, buy a ticket!

RICKI AND THE FLASH – 2015 FILM STILL – Pictured: Greg (Rick Springfield) and Ricki (Meryl Streep) – Photo Credit: Bob Vergara ©2015 CTMG, INC All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

A bit of history: Ricki Randazzo (formerly “Linda Brummel”) divorced her husband in the 1980s and along the way lost touch with her three children who were raised by their new step mom (Broadway musical legend Audra McDonald, perversely holding down her biggest movie role but not being the one who sings in a singing-heavy movie!).

Details of the family history are not important and the movie doesn’t dwell on them except to demonstrate that abandonment issues and resentment abound. Ricki’s gay son (Nick Westrate) won’t speak to her due to her politics and the other son (Sebastian Stan) is vaguely embarrassed by her but smiles his way through her rare cameos in his life. Ricki has long since learned to live with her guilt and discomfort around her kids but an unexpected call from her ex husband (Kevin Kline — Sophie’s Choice reunion coming atcha!) prompts her to spend her last dime on a plane ticket home to help her only daughter (Mamie Gummer, Streep’s actual daughter) through an emotional crisis.

Can Ricki make amends? Will the family welcome her back? Will she get invited to her son’s wedding? Will Ricki ever stop being her own worst enemy in her romance with her band mate (Rick Springfield)? You can probably guess all these answers but it’s hardly a plot movie. It’s all about the pleasure of seeing Streep commit to leather pants, elaborate upbraid ratty hairdos, and excessive accessories like rock and roll is her second skin, her dream, her oxygen, and her armor against the world which never got around to honoring her dream. It’s all about watching “America’s Greatest Living Actress” let loose and rock out a little.

Or a lot as the case may be. The movie is practically a musical there are so many numbers. In the middle of the picture there’s absolutely too many of them consecutively like the film hasn’t quite decided how to get to its final act and is just partying until inspiration hits. But at least few of them are quite effective, especially the two that count for the most including the rousing if predictable feel good finale. The other one, much earlier, is the film’s quietest and most affecting moment, a late night on-the-verge of sleep conversation with her ex and her daughter when she sings them a song she wrote (“a long time ago,” she says wistfully) called “Cold One” (Jenny Lewis wrote the song for the film). They’re impressed with it, and Streep’s guitar and song skills are impressive. In its own offhand subtle way the scene says something really atypical and generous about failure in America — it doesn’t mean you didn’t have the talent for success.

Mamie & Meryl, Mother and Daughter on and offscreen

Ricki and the Flash is full of generous suggestions like this, that imply more than they actually say. One of the smartest is a prickly conversation with the ex when he conjures up an ancient argument and reminds her that he thought their little family was her dream. Her unsentimental reply “I can’t have two dreams?”. Like many of Demme’s movies (Silence of the Lambs being something of a black sheep in his filmography), the movie is ragged, uneven, and sometimes inelegant but also human, idiosyncratic, lively and endearing.

In fact, it often feels less like a polished movie than a jam session between Oscar winners. Ricki and the Flash stars Streep and Kline (4 acting Oscars between them) and it’s directed by Oscar winner Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) and the Oscar winning screenwriter Diablo Cody (Juno) cooked the whole story and character beats up. It’s actually a relief to realize that the film isn’t at all burdened by the communal weight of so many trophy shelves. Ricki and the Flash is, as a movie, closer to a garage band single than a high concept or over-produced album. And it’s probably the better for it, even if the result feels a bit unfinished or slight.

Ricki Randazzo has not had an easy or a cushy life but an unfulfilled one as a perpetual never-was rock star. Her star vehicle is thus an unglamorous thin one. Unexpectedly, though, she’s one of Streep’s best characters in years. This may be an unpopular opinion but the last time Streep was Oscar worthy was in The Devil Wears Prada (2006). What’s come inbetween Ricki and that late career peak as Miranda Priestley are a series of ALL CAPS star turns that feel more like elaborate FYC ads than fully authentic people (Doubt, Iron Lady, August: Osage County) and inbetween those strenuous films she’s delivered a few “light” performances, technically less demanding but often pleasurable to watch (It’s Complicated, Julie & Julia, Hope Springs… and now Ricki and the Flash). Guess which group of films Streep is doing better work in these days?

Nathaniel Rogers would live in the movie theater but for the lack of wifi, blogs daily at the Film Experience. Follow him on Twitter @nathanielr.

The post Review: Ricki and the Flash appeared first on Towleroad.

Nathaniel Rogers

Movie Review: ‘Meryl Streep’ in Ricki and the Flash

Kate Clinton, Edie Windsor and LGBT Supporters Talk Equality (AUDIO)

In the conclusion of my exclusive two part audio montage series I talked with LGBT lawyers, activists and allies at the annual Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) Summer Party at the Pilgrim Monument and Museum in Provincetown, Massachusetts. This has been an epic year to celebrate especially with the historic Supreme Court marriage equality ruling but we still have a lot more work to do and this work needs to be funded. There was a silent auction at the event and our favorite political humorist Kate Clinton returned as auctioneer extraordinaire raising $160,000 for GLAD. Then I talked to Elyse Cherry who is CEO of Boston Community Capital and served as a board member of GLAD in the 1990’s when the marriage battle began 20 years ago. Cherry hopes that our LGBT community builds on the momentum of the historic Supreme Court ruling and LGBT candidates run for political office throughout the nation. Then I chatted with Gary Buseck GLAD’s Legal Director who has been involved with GLAD in various capacities for more than 35 years including serving as Executive Director from 1997 to January, 2004. Gary talked about celebrating the wonderful progress GLAD has achieved so far and ready to move to the next level of LGBT equality which include national nondiscrimination protections for our community. He is especially concerned about our LGBT youth’s safety in and out of the school and religious liberty issues.

LISTEN:

Next I chatted with Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey who is the first openly gay state attorney general elected in America. Maura talked about celebrating the work GLAD has done advancing equality across the country. When asked about what she would you like to see happen for LGBT equality in the next few years Healey talked about advancing transgender protections, safety for LGBT young people and ensuring LGBT seniors’ healthcare and nursing home protections. Then Dianne Phillips, GLAD’s Board of Directors President talked about what’s on the agenda for the organization including their current lawsuit Jacqueline Cote, et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. where Wal-Mart has violated the federal Civil Rights Act by discriminating against Jacqueline Cote based on her sex.

When I asked Kate Clinton about her spin on recent advancements for our LGBT community she joked that you can always judge our success by backlash that’s already happening by our opponents. Kate also reminded me that although we can now legally marry in all 50 states our community can still be fired in 30 of those states where sexual orientation is not protected and how the national Equality Act needs to pass to finally end LGBT discrimination. Next I chatted with Robert Four who has been involved in the marriage movement since the late 1990’s. Robert stated he would like to see comprehensive nondiscrimination legislation across the country that would ensure housing and job security for our LGBT community. Then I spoke to artist Barbara Cohen who has supported GLAD for years and also strives to see equality across the board for our LGBT community. Barbara attended the Summer Party with marriage icon Edie Windsor who she graciously introduced me to. Edie told me she was at the event because GLAD began the whole marriage movement. Windsor had one request and that was to stop using the term “same-sex marriage.” I agree with Edie 100%. For over ten years I have been trying to educate the heterosexual and LGBT community to not use the term that was conceived by Karl Rove the former White House Deputy Chief of Staff during the George W. Bush administration to raise a red flag with the religious right by using the word “sex” in describing our LGBT community. When mainstream media uses this term all you can hear is the redundancy of the word sex. When asked what she would like to see happen for LGBT equality in the next few years Edie added she would like to see LGBT homeless kids who statistically account for 50% of all homeless youth to be off the streets and receive the love and support they deserve just for being themselves. She concluded by saying she was pleased to see the progress happening for trans people in this country and hopes to see rights for not just gender but gender identity.
(Photos by Marilyn Rosen)
For More Info: glad.org

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Lance Bass to join The Meredith Vieira Show as regular panelist

Former NSYNC boy bander Lance Bass has landed a new gig as a regular panelist on The Meredith Vieira Show.

The daytime show, making its second season premiere on 8 September, is switching to a live format and the host is going to have a panel of regulars during the What’s Hot Now! segment that kicks off each show.

One of those panelists will be Bass who in recent years has been host of Dirty Pop on Sirius XM.

‘I’m truly honored and excited to be joining #TheMeredithVieiraShow!’ Bass posted on Instagram. ‘From politics to pop culture, there are very few who have the effortless ability to lead the national conversation quite as well as Meredith. It will be a privilege to learn from her while being a proud voice for the LGBT community. Not to mention, I’ve seen her dance moves and our new girl/boy band is going to be awesome!’

In addition to Bass, other panelists are TV host, style expert and founder of TheLVGuide.com Lilliana Vazquez, Funny Girls co-star Yamaneika Saunders and co-host of the digital series Parental Guidance Megan Colarossi.

Says Executive Producer Rich Sirop: “Meredith is an incredible broadcaster who is meant to be on live television. She’s so excited to welcome such a funny, smart and opinionated group of people to the show. Having them with her every day will really allow us to dig in on the issues our viewers care about most. At the end of the day we want the audience to feel like they are part of the conversation.”

Vieira is a former 60 Minutes correspondent who was also moderator of The View and co-host of The Today Show.

The post Lance Bass to join The Meredith Vieira Show as regular panelist appeared first on Gay Star News.

Greg Hernandez

www.gaystarnews.com/article/lance-bass-to-join-the-meredith-vieira-show-as-regular-panelist/

Can You Guess Which GOP Candidate Got An A+ on Maggie Gallagher’s Gay Marriage Report Card? 

Earlier this week, former National Organization for Marriage president Maggie Gallagher issued a report card on the various GOP candidates’ responses to the Supreme Court’s historic gay marriage ruling.

Specifically, Gallagher graded the candidates using three criteria:

• Clearly explain that marriage is only one man and one woman and is “tradition” and best for children/common good
• Clearly state that the Supreme Court’s decision is not the end of the debate (a la Roe v. Wade)
• Offer specific legislative proposals to fight same-sex marriage and protect gay marriage dissenters.

Gallagher then grouped the candidates into three categories: the “A Team,” the Gentlemen’s Cs and Ds,” and the “F-Troop.”

No surprise Rick “Man on Dog” Santorum made the (dis)honor role, but looking closely you might be surprised to see retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson receive an F.

Mag explains:

I am as surprised as you are by this grade and by how poorly Carson responded to this historic overturning of our marriage laws. He practically rushed to throw in the towel: “While I strongly disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision, their ruling is now the law of the land,” he said.  He reiterated his commitment to civil unions and said we should fight for religious liberty.  But apparently not very publicly and not with any specific suggestions on how to protect gay marriage dissenters.

 More on the specifics of the report card can be found at Gallagher’s post here (you may not want to give her the web traffic though).

The post Can You Guess Which GOP Candidate Got An A+ on Maggie Gallagher’s Gay Marriage Report Card?  appeared first on Towleroad.

Kyler Geoffroy

Can You Guess Which GOP Candidate Got An A+ on Maggie Gallagher’s Gay Marriage Report Card? 

Belfast Serves Pride to Northern Ireland

Thousands of participants and supporters took part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade in Northern Ireland.

Belfast-Pride-400×300.jpg

Michael Luong

www.advocate.com/pride/2015/08/06/photos-belfast-serves-pride-northern-ireland

VIDEO: GOP Presidential Candidates in Their Own Words on LGBT Issues

While none of the major presidential candidates have yet said where they stand on the RNC’s anti-LGBT resolution, the Human Rights Campaign has assembled video of a number of candidates discussing LGBT issues in their own words.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/video-gop-presidential-candidates-in-their-own-words-on-lgbt-issues?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Gay Staten Island Man Physically, Verbally Attacked By NYPD Files $25 Million Lawsuit

A gay Staten Island man who claims he was beaten, threatened and endured gay slurs from four New York Police Department officers during a noise complaint call is planning to launch a whopping $25 million dollar lawsuit against the NYPD and the four officers reports The Huffington Post.

Falcone’s lawyer Eric Subin obtained footage of the disturbing assault and shared it with reporters; Falcone found himself disturbed after watching the video, turning away from the television screen:

“I’m disturbed. I’m disturbed as a person, as a gay man, as a human being — just to see this happen to somebody, even if it wasn’t me. It’s just crazy how these cops act. I can’t go to work. I can’t stand for long periods of time. I can’t sleep.”

NYPD officials maintain Falcone was punched in the face by his brother, who was drunk at the time, during their initial conflict who later fled the scene, and that Falcone “was acting irrational and spit in a PO’s face while he was being taken into custody.” Falcone and Subin deny the NYPD’s allegations and that Falcone was compliant with officers until he was forcibly removed from his mother’s home. Falcone’s lawyer stated that the lawsuit filed on Tuesday names the NYPD, the four officers and the city of New York as defendants and seeks $25 million in restitution for violations of Falcone’s civil rights, excessive force and police brutality.

A MoveOn.org petition claims the four police officers are still on active duty with no evidence of disciplinary action from the NYPD regarding the incident.

The post Gay Staten Island Man Physically, Verbally Attacked By NYPD Files $25 Million Lawsuit appeared first on Towleroad.

Anthony Costello

Gay Staten Island Man Physically, Verbally Attacked By NYPD Files $25 Million Lawsuit