‘Being the Ricardos’ Stars Former Palisadian Nicole Kidman

By MAGNOLIA LAFLEUR | Reporter

Former Palisadian and Academy Award-winner Nicole Kidman has a starring role in Aaron Sorkin’s upcoming biopic, “Being the Ricardos.”

The story centers on the behind-the-scenes story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and the couple’s highs and lows during the filming of the show “I Love Lucy.” The acclaimed sitcom starred comedic legends Ball, played by Kidman, and Arnaz, played by Academy Award-winner Javier Bardem.

The film follows the couple during the filming of the episode “Fred and Ethel Fight,” during a five-day period in September of 1952 where scandalous tabloid fervor about Arnaz was abound,  as well as an investigation of Ball for her ties to communism by the House of Un-American Activities Committee.

The original television series “I Love Lucy” ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on CBS and eventually amassed an audience of 60 million viewers in 1953 with 25 nominations and eight awards, including five Emmys.

Kidman, star of celebrated films like “Moulin Rouge,” “Eyes Wide Shut,” and “Far and Away,” talked about the film on “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”

“It really is about a marriage and it’s about two people that really love each other and all of the stresses and the pressures and the things they’re never getting,” she said. “And you flash forward and back in their lives and how they created this iconic show, the ‘I Love Lucy Show,’ which was an extraordinary feat at that time.”

As a Spaniard, Bardem, known for his roles in “Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona,” “Skyfall” and “No Country for Old Men,” said he had to adjust his accent to play the role of Cuban native Arnaz, Balls’ co-star and husband.

“The Cuban people have the music in their DNA,” Bardem said on “The Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert.” “They are softer, they have a sensuality and a sexuality that I don’t think the European Spaniards have that high or that presence. They have a way to express themselves with no shame, they really own it, they are really confident in their own body.”

The supporting cast is lined with acclaimed Academy Award-winner J.K. Simmons as William Frawley, who played Fred Mertz on “I Love Lucy,” and  actress Nina Arianda will take on the role of Vivian Vance.

Director and Academy Award-winning writer Aaron Sorkin, known for his biopic films such as “The Social Network,” is recognized for putting a spotlight on high-profile figures.

“The only thing better than a story people don’t know, is a story that people think they know but they’re wrong,” he said to Entertainment Weekly.

“Being the Ricardos” will have a limited theatrical release by Amazon Studios on Friday, December 10, and will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday, December 21.