Ricky Randazzo Brummel Aka Linda (Meryl Streep) is a sixty-something lead singer of a band named The Flash. She leaves her family to spend more time with her band. In contrast, she is unsuccessful and always broke. Ricky’s band plays at a local bar in California. Greg (Rick Springfield) a fellow band member and Ricki can never come to terms when it comes to making major decisions for the band. Her life is a mess.
Amid all this, Linda gets a call from her ex-husband Pete (Kevin Kline), who informs her that their daughter Julie (Mamie Gummer) is back home after separating from her husband because he cheated on her. Julie in a fragile state of mind and is going through depression for which she is subjected to depression therapy sessions. Hearing this, Linda decides to visit their daughter in Indianapolis. With no money for a taxi and a hotel, she decides to live at Pete’s house.
Linda is afraid to face her daughter, whom she left years ago to pursue her dreams. Naturally, having a lot of trouble with her mother, Julie is hostile towards Linda initially but eventually comes towards Linda. At one point, Linda, Pete, and Julie try to hide their marijuana stash which is an unsuccessful attempt. It really breaks the ice between the three. On the other hand, the other children of Linda, Josh, and Adam are not very happy to see her.
Josh being a diplomatic person pretends to be good towards his mother. Adam confesses to Linda that he is gay. Linda has a stunning reaction like a mockingbird, which further increases their problems.
Soon Pete’s current wife, Maureen (Audra McDonald) comes home and has a heated exchange of words with Linda and asks her to leave. Furious, Linda returns home and her recent mood affects the performance of the group in the bar too. Unhappy to see Linda troubled, Greg admits his love for Linda and her urges to consider his love for her. She agrees, and the couple begins to date.
A few months later, Linda is invited to Josh’s marriage which Maureen sends along with a letter of apology. Soon Linda realizes that she cannot afford the trip, Linda decides to skip the wedding, but Greg insists and sells his guitar and pays for the trip. Linda is happy to be a part of her son’s big moment and gifts him with a beautiful performance. Linda manages to win their hearts and her kids forgive her at the end.
This is not a film about the rock ‘n’ roll star. This is about a woman who happens to be a musician. However, music remains an important part of the film. We all know that this awesome actress can sing; it has been proven time and time again. But this was not enough; It was supposed to be a rock ‘n’ roll. So I learned to play guitar from none other than Neil Young and his co-star Rick Springfield (who does not remember their hit song, the girl Jesse), then add a bit of arrogance and thus Streep was born in a rocking chair. In a film full of good music. My favorite music moment from the film was the winner of an Oscar three times belting out a rock version of Lady Gaga.
Verdict: ★★★
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