Ricki and the Flash Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Ricki and the Flash" delivers a visually detailed experience through its 1080p transfer, sourced from a digital shoot. The transfer accurately portrays intricate textures, whether it's Meryl Streep's heavy eye makeup or the rough details of the bar where the band performs. These textures extend to the smoother surfaces around her ex-husband's home, emphasizing the dependable clarity across varied settings. The robust color accuracy shines in both the warmer bar interiors and bright Indiana exteriors, with black levels that are deep and fleshtones that remain honest. No compression artifacts are noticed, showcasing a clean and well-executed visual fidelity.

However, certain elements may appear slightly ragged when compared to more recent releases. The contrast occasionally runs a bit hot, giving some scenes an overly bright appearance, though it complements the aged rocker storyline. The textured look of the digitally-shot picture supports the film's aesthetic effectively. While depth could be more pronounced, background details are distinctly visible and shadow delineation remains fine. Close-up shots impeccably highlight the makeup and age effects on Ricki and other characters, maintaining natural and stable flesh tones throughout. Despite not being a standout demonstration disc, the transfer is well-balanced with no evident nicks, marks, or compression issues, ensuring it meets the expectations for a watchable and reliable visual presentation.

The audio presentation of "Ricki and the Flash" Blu-ray delivers an impressively robust and lifelike DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack. The standout feature is its uncanny ability to recreate small venue live rock performances. Guitar riffs cut through with striking clarity, bass lines resonate deeply, and drums have a palpable presence, making the listener feel physically close to the performers. The surround channels are highly active, with the front speakers offering wide dispersion to enhance the immersive experience. Vocal performances, particularly through microphones, reverberate authentically within the venue, completed by barroom ambiances that add depth. The soundscape supports various ambient details, from grocery store noises to nighttime insects, creating a truly dynamic aural environment.

The musical sequences are bolstered by full-bodied and nuanced sound that highlights both the range and grittiness of Meryl Streep's vocals. A wide dynamic range manages even the most intense guitar solos without distortion, and the bass gives the percussion a substantial weight. Dialogue scenes are clear and straightforward, with crisp center placement and no intrusive surface noise. Ambient effects subtly enhance the rear channels, adding to the atmosphere without drawing attention away from the primary audio anchored up front. While it may not reach the level of a dedicated concert film, this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is a commendable addition that will delight music enthusiasts with its depth and fidelity.

The Blu-ray extras for "Ricki and the Flash" provide a robust dive into the film's production and character insights, geared towards enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. The package includes deleted scenes, a comprehensive making-of featurette detailing everything from casting choices to live musical performances, a focused segment on Rick Springfield’s role, and a visual cast photo gallery. Highlights include details on Streep's guitar work, the emotional core of the film as discussed by screenwriter Diablo Cody, and Director Jonathan Demme's approach to maintaining musical authenticity. Each featurette is well-produced and engaging, making the extras worth exploring.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Several cut scenes including "Airport Security" and "Not Tonight Greg."
• Getting Ready for Ricki: The Making of Ricki and the Flash: Insightful behind-the-scenes with cast and crew interviews.
• Rediscovering Rick Springfield: Exploration of Rick Springfield's casting and character.
• Cast Photo Gallery: Collection of cast images.
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.

"Ricki and the Flash" tells a complex story centered on Ricki Rendazzo (Meryl Streep), an aging rocker disconnected from her family due to her pursuit of musical fame. The narrative explores themes of estrangement and familial reconciliation, heavily relying on Streep’s nuanced portrayal of the over-the-hill musician. Notably, Streep's stage presence and vocal performance evoke influences of Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt, underscoring Ricki's dedication and ongoing dreams despite her meager real-life rewards. The film, written by Diablo Cody and directed by Jonathan Demme, attempts to inject freshness into familiar familial dynamics, but the script often falls into predictability, lacking sharpness and originality in its depiction of broken relationships and attempted reconciliations.

The supporting cast delivers commendable performances, notably Rick Springfield as Greg, Ricki's loyal bandmate and intermittent love interest, whose patience and musical talent create a grounded contrast to Ricki's unpredictable nature. Mamie Gummer provides a raw portrayal of Julie, Ricki's emotionally battered daughter, though the real-life mother-daughter chemistry occasionally feels strained. The plot revolves around Ricki’s return to Indianapolis at her ex-husband Pete’s (Kevin Kline) request to help their distraught daughter, but the story falters with a predictable conclusion and contrived character interactions. Despite genuine moments of connection and growth among the family members, the narrative struggles to maintain a compelling drive, often resorting to musical interludes as emotional fillers.

The film benefits from Demme’s directional precision but lacks the engaging complexity of his previous works. Streep’s dynamic presence helps sustain the film, yet her portrayal slightly veers into caricature. The storyline encompasses the notion that family ties persist despite tensions, but this theme is explored in a manner that neither surprises nor deeply resonates. Overall, while "Ricki and the Flash" showcases Streep’s versatile talent and manages to deliver heartfelt scenes, it remains hindered by a screenplay that underutilizes its potential and relies too much on superficial narrative elements.

"Ricki and the Flash" is a well-crafted, albeit underwhelming, exploration of family dynamics and personal regrets. Meryl Streep delivers a commendable performance as an aged rocker attempting to mend her fractured relationship with her estranged family. The live music scenes, particularly those featuring Streep and Rick Springfield, bring a vibrant energy, yet these moments are fleeting highlights in an otherwise conventional narrative. Diablo Cody's script, with its attempts at humor and poignancy, often feels forced and predictable, while Jonathan Demme's direction lacks the vital spark seen in his previous works.

Sony's Blu-ray release of "Ricki and the Flash" impresses with excellent video quality that captures the grit and glam of the rock performances, paired with reference-quality audio that ensures the music scenes resonate audibly. The disc also includes a selection of supplemental materials, although these extras offer little more than additional context to a film that struggles to leave a lasting impression. While these technical aspects enhance the viewing experience, they cannot fully compensate for the film’s staleness and formulaic plot.

In conclusion, "Ricki and the Flash" serves as a serviceable family drama with standout performances from its cast but falters due to its lackluster script and direction. Sony's Blu-ray presentation is top-notch in terms of audio and visual fidelity, making it worth a look, particularly as a rental or at a discount. However, only ardent Meryl Streep fans are likely to revisit this film for repeat viewings.