For decades, Aaron Sorkin’s name has been a shorthand for a very particular kind of genius. His writing is a unique blend of intellectual wit, rapid-fire dialogue, and a relentless moral compass. From the hallowed halls of The West Wing to the ruthless corridors of Silicon Valley in The Social Network, Sorkin has perfected the art of making dialogue a form of high-stakes combat. But in recent years, as he’s stepped more fully into the director’s chair, a question has lingered: could he still deliver a film that feels both distinctly his own and emotionally resonant? The answer, unequivocally, is yes.
With his latest film, Being the Ricardos, Sorkin delivers his best work in years. The movie is a masterful, contained drama that transcends the traditional biopic format. Rather than telling the sprawling life story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Sorkin brilliantly compresses the narrative into a single, tumultuous production week of their legendary sitcom, I Love Lucy. Over this seven-day period, the film chronicles three major crises that threaten to topple their empire: Lucille Ball is publicly accused of being a communist, rumors of Desi’s infidelity surface in the tabloids, and Lucille drops a bombshell about her second pregnancy, a topic considered taboo for television at the time.
This hyper-focused approach allows Sorkin to do what he does best: create a pressure-cooker environment where the stakes are always impossibly high and the dialogue crackles with tension. But what elevates Being the Ricardos is how this signature style is applied not just to a political or legal battle, but to the profoundly human story of a marriage and an artistic partnership on the verge of collapse.
The Sorkin Formula, Refined
Critics of Aaron Sorkin often point to his formulaic approach: the “walk-and-talks,” the impossibly brilliant characters who always have the perfect retort, and the almost theatrical nature of his dialogue. In Being the Ricardos, Sorkin embraces these hallmarks but uses them with a new sense of maturity. The enclosed world of the soundstage and the writers’ room is the perfect setting for his writing style, making the constant verbal jousting feel organic to the creative process.
The film’s use of a condensed timeline is its greatest strength. By weaving three major, real-life crises—which actually took place over a three-year period—into a single week, Sorkin creates a sense of escalating panic and psychological duress. This allows the audience to witness the extraordinary mental fortitude required of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, both as performers and as business moguls. The tension is palpable, not just from the public threats to their careers but from the quiet, private moments of betrayal and heartbreak between them. The result is a film that feels both meticulous and alive, a testament to a writer who is still challenging himself to use his unique voice in new ways.
A Triumph of Performance: Kidman and Bardem
The success of Being the Ricardos hinges on its lead performances, and both Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem deliver career-defining turns. The casting of Kidman as Lucille Ball was initially met with skepticism from some fans who felt she lacked the physical resemblance to the comedic icon. However, Kidman’s performance proves that capturing the essence of a person is far more important than a simple impersonation.
Kidman is stunning as Lucille Ball, particularly in the film’s many behind-the-scenes moments. She portrays Lucille not as the ditzy, lovable Lucy Ricardo, but as the fiercely intelligent, detail-oriented, and often difficult genius who commanded her show with an iron fist. We see her obsessive perfectionism in the writers’ room, as she meticulously deconstructs a scene and argues for a single line change to make a joke land. In these moments, Kidman captures the laser-focused professionalism and sheer brilliance of a woman who was a comedic savant. She nails the subtle physicalities and, most importantly, the smoky vocal distinctions between Lucille and her on-screen character.
Javier Bardem, meanwhile, is equally captivating as Desi Arnaz. While he may not be a physical lookalike, he completely embodies the spirit of the Cuban bandleader and television pioneer. Bardem channels Arnaz’s irresistible charisma, his sharp business acumen, and the inner turmoil of a man who felt constantly in the shadow of his more famous wife. The film makes a powerful case for Desi Arnaz’s genius, highlighting his groundbreaking role in television production—including his pioneering of the three-camera setup and his brilliant maneuver to get the show to be shot on film, thereby inventing the rerun.
The chemistry between Kidman and Bardem is the emotional engine of the film. Their scenes together are a masterclass in tension and heartbreak, capturing the fierce love, deep respect, and painful betrayals that defined their tumultuous marriage.
Beyond the Laughter: A Commentary on Hollywood and Power
While centered on a beloved sitcom, Being the Ricardos is anything but a light comedy. The film is a shrewd and incisive look at the inner workings of Hollywood in the 1950s. It addresses the pervasive sexism of the era, showcasing how Lucille Ball had to fight tooth and nail to maintain creative control and command respect in a male-dominated industry. We see her pushing back against network executives who want to replace her or dictate her creative choices, revealing a woman who was a trailblazing feminist long before the term was commonplace.
The film also delves into the McCarthy-era paranoia and the very real danger of a communist accusation, even for a star as big as Lucille Ball. By intertwining this political crisis with her personal drama, Sorkin creates a commentary on the hypocrisy and fragility of celebrity. The film asks profound questions about the price of fame and the human cost of maintaining a perfect public image.
A Masterclass in Storytelling
In the end, Being the Ricardos is a remarkable achievement because it succeeds on multiple levels. It is a stunning showcase for two of the best actors of their generation, a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a television classic, and a deeply moving portrait of a complex marriage. It finds Sorkin at the height of his powers, using his signature style to serve a rich, emotional story rather than just to show off his clever dialogue.
The film is not about the jokes that made millions laugh; it is about the real, flawed, and brilliant people who created them. It is a tribute to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz that honors their professional genius while bravely confronting their personal struggles. Being the Ricardos is a testament to the fact that behind every great comedy, there is an equally compelling human drama. For fans of Sorkin’s work, it is a glorious return to form, a film that proves he still has a monopoly on intelligent, gripping storytelling.
