In 1992, Aaron Sorkin adapted his stage play, “A Few Good Men” for the screen, which starred Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore and Tom Cruise. The film would be nominated for 4 Academy Awards the following year. That year would also be the first time Sorkin worked with Cruise’s then-wife, Nicole Kidman, on the thriller “Malice.”
So Sorkin has an almost 30-year relationship with Kidman. But she wasn’t the first actress slated to play Lucille Ball in Sorkin’s screenplay “Being the Ricardos.” Fellow Aussie, Cate Blanchett, was originally attached to headline the biopic back when the script was entitled, “Lucy & Desi.”
Many keyboard cowboys, including me, criticized the casting of this film for good reason. Nicole Kidman looks nothing like Lucille Ball. She doesn’t do physical stunts, facial acting or slapstick comedy.
Many contend, including me, that physical comedienne, Debra Messing, who, in character, is a mirroring image of Ball, was practically born to play the revered icon.
So why wasn’t Messing cast? After all, she’s a master at slapstick comedy, just as Ball was. But this film isn’t a comedy. It’s a drama centering around a weeklong crisis that could end the marriage and careers of Desi Arnez and Lucille Ball.
And it’s not about box office drawings or profits. This film was purchased by Amazon and will be in limited release in select theaters to guarantee it qualifies for Academy nominations.
So why not cast her? Because Messing’s never been nominated for an Oscar. This is an obvious Oscar grab.
Which is why Cate Blanchett was originally attached? She doesn’t physically resemble Lucille Ball. But she’s one of the greatest screen actors on the planet who’s been nominated for 7 Academy Awards, 2 of which she’s won.
And Kidman. Why cast her? Well, because, Blanchett backed out. And, because she’s been nominated for 4 Academy Awards and won one.
They are both Hollywood royalty and have legacy, which draws just the amount of Oscar buzz throughout awards season that will conjure their names on the ballots.
The online criticism for “Being the Ricardos” is harsh. But it is deserved. Lucille Ball will forever be the Queen of Comedy and fans are justifiably protecting the integrity of her throne.
