MovieChat Forums > Ricki and the Flash (2015) Discussion > The more I think about this movie...

The more I think about this movie...

posted 8 years ago by jondoe888
4 replies | jump to latest

I wasn't expecting much, from the reviews. But I wanted to see it. What a waste! I didn't buy any of the story. WAY too many songs! If this was a vanity piece, it really failed. Why have her singing so much, not very well? We get it - it's a band of old-timers, on the long slide down, trying to keep the dream alive. And that bar? How depressing! (and her job. Ack! What frou-frou store would hire Ricki?)
I'm sure Meryl and daughter had a blast making it, but why punish us?
Great cast, writer, director... I was hoping for more.
(I did like the fiance's look of angry horror. Terrified of what would happen next. Well done! Maybe we ALL had that look on our faces?)
I sometimes like movies I don't enjoy that much... until I have the time to process and think about what I saw. The more I think about this movie - the less I like it. Nor could I whip up much affinity for the band. I was a musician, the last time in a touring band, in my 30's. And the lost mother, coming home? That should have had a lot more resonance.
Instead, we get another so-so song, at the bar.
How could this fail so badly, from a talented writer, working from her mother's story!

[–] jondoe888 8 years ago

And that Gibson SG. OK, it was a 1968, (and Rick's real guitar), but the SG is like the most basic professional guitar. Well made, nothing special. (I own a 66, which I bought in 67). SG means Standard Guitar. And that it is. But could you pawn it for 2 plane tickets?
The final wedding scene, with the band, was also dumb. The hall is filled with stuffy blue hairs, but once they start dancing, they look to be in their 30's. I know dancing keeps you young, but really...
My favorite scene in Ironwood is where Streep is singing in the bar. She's a drunken lush, but her singing is fabulous. And the crowd loves it! But the reality settles in, as the camera reveals we are seeing her POV. The crowd just hears a drunk trying to sing. It's not the redemption she had hoped for. So heartbreaking!
This movie reminds me too much of that. And it's supposed to - but it doesn't work.

[–] heathxx 8 years ago

SG means "Solid Guitar," as in "not hollow or semi-hollow" like most electric guitars up until the Les Paul (the SG was originally the second edition of the Les Paul, and was even branded that way for a couple of years but Les Paul said "I don't think so.." cause he didn't like it), Telecaster, and Stratocaster began to achieve popularity.

In cherry condition it could fetch up to about $5000 which, yes, could buy a couple of cheap plane tickets. Since he pawned it, I imagine he got a lot less, but still easily enough for a couple of round trip ticket.

Even his "banana" guitar, if it's an original, could have likely sold for enough to buy a couple of domestic Delta tickets.

---- sig ---------
I'm neither a Liberal nor a Conservative... I think for myself.

[–] benman46 8 years ago

Who's this us you mention? And the we all? Meryl has an excellent voice.

[–] cableaddict 8 years ago

Meryll can't sing rock with a gun to her head.

And a "decent user" '68 SG would sell for maybe $3K, in the normal user-to-user marketplace. $5K is a ridiculously inflated price that you might see from a specialty vintage dealer, selling to clueless Dentist rocker-wannabees. (The type of price they put in those colorful cocktail table books, trying to inflate the value of their stock.)

A pawnshop MIGHT offer $1500, if they thought you were in no hurry & not desperate. - And that would be extremely generous.

Anyone who thinks otherwise should try actually pawning a guitar.