Earlier this year we saw Al Pacino find his groove as an aging rocker reconnecting with his family in Danny Collins. It turned out to be a strong role for him, even though his singing left a lot to be desired. Now it's Meryl Streep's turn to star in a similar tale of rock music redemption in Ricki and the Flash, and the first trailer shows her rockin' out like a pro.
Streep provides live covers of numerous rock classics in the film, in which she plays a legendary guitarist who screwed up her family life while following her dreams of stardom. When a crisis strikes she gets a chance to make things right by finally facing the music. Screenwriter Diablo Cody based the Ricki character on her aunt, who happens to be the lead in a rock band. Streep also is said to have thrown herself into the role by becoming an expert guitarist, so don't be surprised if this leads to her winning Oscar number four.
Directed by Jonathan Demme and co-starring Streep's daughter Mamie Gummer, Kevin Kline, Audra McDonald, Rick Springfield, Ricki and the Flash opens August 7th.
