Critics are already weighing in on Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem's new film Being The Ricardos.
The biographical drama, in which the actors star as Lucille Ball and her then-husband Desi Arnaz, has received modest acclaim from reviewers, though Kidman's portrayal and writer–director Aaron Sorkin's dialogue are a major sticking point for some.
The film, which takes place during a single week of filming I Love Lucy, seems to have won over more early viewers than it turned off.
Mixed bag: Critics were mildly positive on Aaron Sorkin's I Love Lucy–inspired biographical drama Being The Ricardos, but his screenplay and Nicole Kidman's performance divided them; Kidman and Javier Bardem pictured in Being The Ricardos
Among the critics who were won over by Being The Ricardos was the Los Angeles Times chief film critic Justin Chang.
He admitted that Kidman didn't have Ball's 'astonishing comedic range,' but she made up for the absence with her 'assured gait, a sly wit and a hands-in-the-pockets casualness that lets you know she means business, but charmingly so.'
He also commended the raspy voice Kidman affected to play Ball, which goes up in pitch whenever she's in character as Lucy.
The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney had faint praise for the film, which he wrote would appeal 'more toward Sorkin admirers than Lucy devotees' due to Sorkin's heavy-handed approach.
But he thought Kidman and Bardem 'can’t be faulted' as Ball and Arnaz, as their focus on 'deep-dive characterization' was ultimately more rewarding than trying to find less-talented actors who looked more like the real-life figures.
Impressed: The Los Angeles Times' Justin Chang was won over by Nicole Kidman's 'assured gait,' 'sly wit' and her ability to effortlessly change her voice to play Lucille Ball or Lucy Ricardo
Thumbs up: Ben Truitt of USA Today was positive about the lead performances, but especially Sorkin's 'excellent, banter-filled script'; Kidman pictured with Alia Shawkat (L) and Nina Arianda (R)
Ben Truitt of USA Today was positive about the lead performances, but he saved most of his praise for Sorkin's 'excellent, banter-filled script' and the performances from the supporting cast, which includes Alia Shawkat, Tony
