Meryl Streep rocks it in Ricki and the Flash – DVD review/giveaway

By Tribute on November 24, 2015 | 66 Comments


Ricki and the Flash DVD coverMeryl Streep can rock it. Known for her consummate skill to immerse herself into a character, she is more than believable with her strangely braided rock hair-do, her leather rock star fashion, her loaded down with jewelry look and even a tattoo in Ricki and the Flash.

In this film, Meryl plays an unsuccessful and aging singer living in California. She abandoned her husband and three children in Indianapolis years earlier to pursue her dream. By day she works as a cashier at a high-end supermarket and by night, she heads up the Flash, the cover band at the Salt Cellar. The patrons at the bar love her and the band, singing and dancing along every night. She works two jobs, but is perpetually broke, although the reason is never made clear.

Out of the blue her ex-husband calls her. Daughter Julie (played by real-life daughter Mamie Gummer) is in trouble and he pleads with Ricki to come home. Hesitatingly, Ricki flies back but meets with a cool reception.

Her daughter does not want to see her. One son is engaged (a complete surprise to Ricki) and was not intending to invite her to the impending nuptials, while her other son is gay, but she refuses to believe it,  hoping he is bisexual instead.

Her ex-husband, played by Kevin Kline, has mixed emotions and seems to be in need of some closure. Ricki comes home with hopes to make amends with this very hostile group.

Screenwriter Diablo Cody, award-winning writer of Juno, has set up her characters carefully. There is resentment, bitterness, curiosity and even a little jealousy thrown in. Watch the sparks fly as the family drama unfolds.

But keep an ear open as well. The band sounds great. Meryl can hold a tune and even learned to play guitar for authenticity. She’s got great backup in Rick Springfield, an actor and rock star in his own right.

The DVD includes one extra feature: Getting  Ready for Ricki: The Making of Ricki and the Flash. Also releasing on DVD today are American Ultra, A Hard Day, No Escape and Shaun the Sheep Movie. Click here for a full list of DVD releases. ~ Sharon Salsberg

We are giving away two DVD copies of Ricki and the Flash. Simply leave a comment below and tell us the name of your favorite Meryl Streep movie.



Comments & Discussion

  1. jennie • November 24, 2015 @ 11:59 AM

    Death Becomes Her is my fave.

  2. John Banville • November 24, 2015 @ 12:08 PM

    As a fellow cover band artist, I have seen many “Ricky’s” over the last 30 years. There can never be too many! They’re out there doing what they love!
    Favorite Streep movie: too many but going with “the Devil Wears Prada”. Pure Awesomeness…

  3. Kris • November 24, 2015 @ 12:48 PM

    Out of Africa

  4. connie • November 24, 2015 @ 12:56 PM

    Mamma Mia

  5. Barbara • November 24, 2015 @ 1:10 PM

    The French Lieutenant’s Woman

  6. Janet • November 24, 2015 @ 2:54 PM

    The Devil Wears Prada

  7. Roy H • November 24, 2015 @ 4:25 PM

    Out of Africa

  8. Elaine N. • November 24, 2015 @ 4:55 PM

    Sophie’s Choice

  9. Lisa VanBekkum • November 24, 2015 @ 4:56 PM

    Loved her in THE RIVER WILD!!!

  10. Toby • November 24, 2015 @ 5:00 PM

    Kramer vs. Kramer

  11. Corry L. • November 24, 2015 @ 5:03 PM

    Out of Africa

  12. Dave S. • November 24, 2015 @ 5:04 PM

    The River Wild

  13. Taylor S. • November 24, 2015 @ 5:05 PM

    Momma Mia

  14. Becky • November 24, 2015 @ 5:07 PM

    The devil wears prada

  15. Debbie Schmidt • November 24, 2015 @ 5:09 PM

    The Bridges of Madison County is my favorite Meryl Streep movie

  16. kevin r • November 24, 2015 @ 5:12 PM

    Terms of endearment

  17. Elisa • November 24, 2015 @ 5:17 PM

    Death becomes her

  18. Jason Russell • November 24, 2015 @ 5:18 PM

    Out of Africa

  19. Irene Anderson • November 24, 2015 @ 5:20 PM

    Fav. MERYL STREEP movie. DOUBT

  20. Shirley OFlynn • November 24, 2015 @ 5:21 PM

    The River Wild.

  21. Marlene Checknita • November 24, 2015 @ 5:25 PM

    I loved Ricki and the Flash (actually saw it twice in the theatre)! Meryl Streep is SO diverse which is why she is one of my favorite actresses. To simply choose one movie which is my absolute favorite of hers is difficult, yet since that is what is required to leave a comment here I would have to say, “It’s Complicated!”.

  22. Kris • November 24, 2015 @ 5:27 PM

    Hate to break it to your Kevin, but Meryl Streep was not in Terms of Endearment….Shirley McLean and Debra Winger…

  23. Debbie Bashford • November 24, 2015 @ 5:38 PM

    Death Becomes Her

  24. kristine hibbs • November 24, 2015 @ 5:38 PM

    The Devil Wears Prada was one of my favourites…she was so good!

  25. Doris • November 24, 2015 @ 5:46 PM

    Mamma mia

  26. Stefanie • November 24, 2015 @ 5:51 PM

    The Devil Wears Prada. i would love to win this to give to my mother, she loves meryl streep and its also her birthday soon!

  27. Darren • November 24, 2015 @ 5:56 PM

    Mamma Mia!

  28. Janet Knudsen • November 24, 2015 @ 5:58 PM

    Julie and Julia. She played a spot on Julia Child

  29. Vicki Ho • November 24, 2015 @ 6:03 PM

    French Lieutenants Woman

  30. Ophelia C • November 24, 2015 @ 6:11 PM

    Mamma Mia

  31. Bruce Lamesse • November 24, 2015 @ 6:33 PM

    The Devil Wears Prada

  32. Patsy • November 24, 2015 @ 6:37 PM

    I liked her in The Iron Lady.Thanks!

  33. Gary Smith • November 24, 2015 @ 6:46 PM

    The River Wild

  34. Susan • November 24, 2015 @ 8:37 PM

    I loved the Bridges of madison County-also the River Wild-can I have 3 favorites, please?

  35. Jared S Denison • November 24, 2015 @ 10:01 PM

    Silkwood. A powerful story that had to be told.

  36. Sandra • November 24, 2015 @ 10:02 PM

    So hard to pick just one because she is soooo talented. Bridges of Madison County

  37. Diane Boisclair • November 24, 2015 @ 10:14 PM

    Bridges of Madison County

  38. Dan Maibroda • November 24, 2015 @ 10:32 PM

    Kramer vs. Kramer

  39. therese murphy • November 24, 2015 @ 10:44 PM

    Terms of endearment

  40. Debbie Roy • November 25, 2015 @ 12:12 AM

    The Iron Lady was one of my favourite Meryl Streep films

  41. Arturo • November 25, 2015 @ 1:29 AM

    My favorite Meryl Streep movie is The French Lieutenant’s Woman.

  42. Jenni Hall • November 25, 2015 @ 6:42 AM

    My favorite Meryl Streep movie is Silkwood and Sophie’s Choice.

  43. Missy Evans • November 25, 2015 @ 7:45 AM

    Kramer Vs. Kramer

  44. Mary Ann Dudragne • November 25, 2015 @ 8:33 AM

    I love every movie Meryl Streep is in, but I think Kramer Vs Kramer AND Terms of Endearment are tied as my favourites.

  45. Sylvain Provost • November 25, 2015 @ 9:17 AM

    The Devil Wears Prada

  46. Judy Brandt • November 25, 2015 @ 10:00 AM

    Ricki and the Flash!!

  47. patricia tucker • November 25, 2015 @ 10:30 AM

    iloved the movie ricki and the flash it was a good movie
    i loved rick springfield in it he rocked hope i win it

    from patricia tucker in wheeling illionis

  48. Kris • November 25, 2015 @ 11:05 AM

    For the love of god people…she was not in Terms of Endearment…

  49. Kirsten • November 25, 2015 @ 12:28 PM

    Mamma Mia! Meryl Streep is an amazing actress! She is incredibly versatile!!

  50. Tina • November 25, 2015 @ 12:44 PM

    I haven’t gotten to see this movie yet, it came to some parts of Montana but i was unable to travel because of health reasons and well money. so would love to win this, as i know Rick and Meryl look awesome together, heard all my friends caught it in theaters and loved it so it has to be good

  51. Deb Meyer • November 25, 2015 @ 2:48 PM

    I absolutely loved Meryl first of all in Kramer versus Kramer. What a wonderful role! Then I went on to love her in Sophie’s Choice! This movie is so different for her, but I love watching her rock out!

  52. Julie Hiltner • November 25, 2015 @ 3:38 PM

    The Devil Wears Prada

  53. Donna • November 25, 2015 @ 3:50 PM

    Mamma Mia!

  54. Andria C • November 26, 2015 @ 4:19 AM

    The Devil Wears Prada

  55. KC • November 26, 2015 @ 11:21 AM

    So many to choose from: Julie and Julia, Devil Wears Prada. Hope Springs but I liked It’s Complicated best!

  56. KC • November 26, 2015 @ 11:21 AM

    Julie and Julia

  57. Sharon schopf • November 26, 2015 @ 11:30 AM

    Mamma Mia

  58. trish • November 26, 2015 @ 11:44 AM

    she is an actress you can honestly say is simply fabulous; I have loved her in everything, my recent fav is August:Osage County

  59. Madelon Albert • November 28, 2015 @ 10:28 PM

    I love all her movies! She is a genious at becoming the chacter she is playing. My favorite has to be “Sophie’s Choice” which comes to mind whenever I am faced with a difficult choice–puts everything in perspective!

  60. Angela • November 29, 2015 @ 9:57 PM

    Mamma Mia is my favorite.

  61. Francis • November 29, 2015 @ 9:59 PM

    Out of Africa

  62. Willy • November 29, 2015 @ 10:27 PM

    The River Wild

  63. Nyuk • November 29, 2015 @ 10:38 PM

    The Devil Wears Prada

  64. Lily • November 29, 2015 @ 11:47 PM

    Mamma Mia

  65. Heather S • November 30, 2015 @ 7:01 PM

    The Devil Wears Prada!

  66. Marcia Greene • December 5, 2015 @ 9:00 PM

    “Prairie Home Companion.” The gal can sing; oh yeah!


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