In case you didn’t know, the goddess that is Meryl Streep is in another film, “Ricki and the Flash” and if you want a modern, updated version of “Kramer vs Kramer”, this is it.
If you aren’t familiar with either film, the plots go as such: woman gets tired of marriage and motherhood. Woman leaves father with child — or children — to seek out another life. Woman comes back for second chance at motherhood.
In “Ricki and the Flash,” Streep leaves her children to seek out rock stardom, only to return when her daughter Julie, played by her real daughter, Mamie Gummer, suffers near psychotic break due to a divorce.
Except, she is not welcomed with open arms. In fact, she is hated by all three of her children.
Through comedic scenes and dramatic emotional releases, what one predicts comes true: Streep is welcomed home to her children and can be called Mom once again.
However, the most interesting addition to this line-up is Rick Springfield. “Jessie’s Girl” anyone?
Yes, that’s correct, Rick Springfield, made famous by his catchy, school-girl, 1980’s hit, stars as Streep’s lover turned boyfriend and guitarist of the Flash.
While the plot seems to closely resemble the film making Streep famous so many years ago, “Ricki and the Flash” is a fresh take on the modern family movie epidemic.
Gummer proves to be a strong actress that will not live in her mother’s shadow because she will make her own. She plays her distraught, depressed role wickedly and bravely.
Streep brings this movie to life, showing Hollywood there is a career after 50 for women and it doesn’t have to be type-casted roles.
Thanks Meryl, for showing us women can take on strong, comedic and dramatic roles and not just play the old, heavenly mother.
