Sundance Film Festival Review: ‘Ricky’ is Anchored By a Sense of Empathy and Realism

Recidivism after being released from incarceration is a major issue, though one that movies rarely look into. So, Ricky is unique in that manner, though as a Sundance Film Festival title, it does fit into a lineup. More so than anything else, it’s just fodder for an interesting character study, one that does much more right than it does wrong.

Ricky is a look at a good person in a tough situation. There are times where the film hits on some incredibly powerful truths. There are also times where the movie puts its protagonist into situations that just would never happen. So, there’s a push and pull going on between drama and realism, one that the flick doesn’t full navigate. Still, while having some flaws, there’s tremendous acting and empathy on display.

Ricardo Smith (Stephan James), or Ricky, has just been released from prison. Now 30, he has spent half of his life in jail, so the outside world, for an adult who never got to be a young adult in the world, is challenging. He has a good heart, wants to do good and to do the right thing, but doesn’t always have the tools required.

Ricky works in a warehouse, while his parole officer Joanne (Sheryl Lee Ralph) is on his case about going to group therapy and drug testing. His mother (Simbi Kali) worries about him, too, also sometimes lacking in the words to help. We mostly just observe him as he goes about his life, trying to fit in, whether it’s with a neighbor (Titus Welliver) or a girl he’s interested in. Ricky knows that the odds are against him, which weigh on him, as well as the anxiety that clearly affects him in quiet moments.

Stephan James puts in soulful work as the title character. He finds the scared kid, as well as the hardened adult, mixing them together to make the part singular yet deeply recognizable. Sheryl Lee Ralph initially comes off as a one-note hard ass, before revealing her layers late in the game. Simbi Kali and Titus Welliver deliver as well, though their roles are less well-defined. Supporting players include Maliq Johnson, Sean Nelson, Andrene Ward-Hammond, and more.

Co-writer/director Rashad Frett makes this more than just a character study, directing the hell out of it. The script he penned with Lin Que Ayoung is overstuffed with subplots and characters that take away from our protagonist. Frett’s visuals are great, especially when we’re just observing Ricky. It’s the screenplay, which ends up giving us too many distractions, that falls a bit short. The traps in society that can send a good man back to jail is more than enough. Everything else, even the surprising nature of the parole officer, just feels like padding.

Ricky has plenty to offer and is a powerful experience when it’s firing on all cylinders. It’s anchored by a sense of empathy and realism, as well as Stephen James’ strong turn. James alone makes this worth watching, but the Sundance film is overall pretty compelling. It’s just a bit of a shame that the movie is as shaggy as it is. There’s a great flick somewhere within this good one, but don’t get it twisted, the film is still good and well worth your time.

SCORE: ★★★