‘Ricky’ Review: A Poetic but Unsteady Exploration of Probation and Reentry

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In a raw, real-life intensity, Ricky, portrayed by Stephan James, navigates an ambiguous realm, tracking a man who finds himself neither completely free nor entirely confined. This man continues to be tormented by the pulsating echoes of his captivity, even as he treads the familiar streets of his birthplace. James’ acting is profoundly affecting, subtly expressing Ricky’s feelings that seethe just beneath a facade that perpetually teeters on the brink of shattering. However, despite James’ powerful performance, the film itself seems uneven in its execution.

Following a lifetime spent in prison, Ricky (Stephan James) returns to a world no longer waiting for him in East Hartford, Connecticut. The story unfolds as Ricky navigates his initial month outside bars, marked by parole constraints, strained relationships, and the persistent, heavy shadow of his past. Contrary to expectations, freedom proves to be limited, and survival becomes a trial. As he faces old vices, new obligations, and a justice system that appears stacked against him, Ricky’s journey is less about reentry and more about finding his way through a life that still feels confined, much like the one he had left behind.

Movie director Rashad Frett creates a movie that is both intensely personal and politically insightful, offering a neorealist reflection on the challenging circumstances faced by those who have served time in prison. The film’s purpose is clear, yet as Ricky progresses, its central theme becomes less focused. Various subplots emerge and fade away before fully developing. The movie’s structure, aiming to mimic the disjointed and irregular nature of reentry, sometimes contradicts its own message. Consequently, the film is significant — even critical — but one that grapples with expressing its extensive ideas effectively.

Documentary Realism and the Weight of Liminality

It’s clear to Frett that the devastating flaws within the American prison system extend beyond just legal and financial aspects, reaching deeply into the psychological realm. Every action taken by Ricky is influenced by the unseen structure of imprisonment – regular parole checks, watchful eyes, and the ever-present anxiety of making a mistake. Even when the story unfolds in public areas, there’s an underlying feeling that Ricky is being observed, evaluated, and managed.

Incarceration isn’t just a location, it’s an intricate network that persists long after release, influencing thoughts, behaviors, and even emotional responses. Ricky masterfully portrays this complex idea, especially during scenes where Ricky’s feelings of liberty are constantly challenged by everyday encounters that echo his uncertain position in life. Although the film presents a powerful concept, its structure sometimes weakens its impact.

The Anxiety of Reentry, Undermined by Structural Weakness

In Ricky, there’s an overwhelming sense of apprehension, as if disaster is imminent. However, instead of skillfully escalating this suspense through compelling narrative, the film wanders off course, getting sidetracked by subplots that lack depth, thereby diluting the main storyline.

In simpler terms, the character Leslie Torino, who shares an enigmatic yet hinted connection with Ricky and might have a significant role in exploring themes like intergenerational trauma or the repetitive pattern of imprisonment, is presented but not thoroughly developed. However, their relationship does not fully develop to its potential, leaving these intriguing ideas unexplored and less impactful as they could have been.

The movie suggests a significant backstory between Ricky’s mother (Simbi Khali) and Joanne (Sheryl Lee Ralph), but this history is only hinted at without being fully developed within the film’s emotional narrative. These characters seem to be leftovers from a more complex, multi-dimensional script that didn’t quite make it onto the screen. Jaz (Imani Lewis) and Cheryl (Andrene Ward-Hammond) play significant roles in Ricky’s life, but they fail to become fully fleshed-out characters. Instead of feeling like real people, they serve either to help or hinder Ricky’s journey, with their motivations remaining largely unexplored. The audience is left wondering about Jaz’s desires and Cheryl’s driving forces.

It’s quite irritating because although the movie hints at the heavy load Black women carry within these stories – they are the ones maintaining order, providing support, and shouldering duties that shouldn’t be their sole responsibility – it fails to provide them with sufficient control over their own narratives. The film acknowledges this situation, but it never allows these women to break free from their role in Ricky’s life and develop beyond it.

The Sound of Incarceration: An Atmosphere of Control

Ricky excels at portraying the aural sensation of being in prison. The movie’s sound is rich with distant sirens, brief administrative conversations, and the continuous buzz of monitoring devices. This creates an audio landscape that consistently underscores Ricky’s ongoing discomfort.

Ricky’s interactions with others are revealing – his parole officer gives directives in a cold, impersonal manner, while his relatives provide encouragement tinged with quiet doubt. Strangers respond to him with a blend of intrigue and caution. The movie effectively employs repetition – Ricky is consistently asked the same questions, as if anticipating a mistake from him. This subtle yet impactful technique serves as a thought-provoking critique of reentry, suggesting that it’s an arduous test, one that many find difficult to pass.

Even as the movie “Ricky” reaches its destructive peak, its stylistic decisions sometimes work against it. The narrative’s episodic structure causes some emotional moments to feel disjointed. While there are strong individual scenes, they don’t always coalesce into a fully satisfying climax.

A Necessary but Uneven Film

The movie “Ricky” doesn’t focus on redemption or failure, but rather explores the ambiguous territory in between. It poses challenging questions about freedom, systemic injustice, and the delicate existence of Black men in a world that is uncertain how to accommodate them. However, despite its powerful themes, the movie’s narrative sometimes weakens its impact due to an excessive number of subplots and underdeveloped characters, which could have made it a powerfully incisive critique of the prison-industrial complex.

Despite its flaws, James’ acting skill shines brightly, guiding the movie even during its rocky patches and lending Ricky a raw vulnerability that’s both poignant and understated. The film’s realistic sound design, handheld camera work, and unwillingness to provide simple solutions make it an indispensable, though flawed, cinematic experience. However, as the end credits approach, a sense of disappointment lingers. A film with potential for greatness is more frustrating than any single mediocre movie.

This significant movie carries a strong message, but the disorganized structure and incomplete subplots tend to dilute its impact. At times, the film’s ambition to cover everything causes it to overlook its most potent themes. Despite this, it’s a thought-provoking piece that merits viewing, debate, and contemplation. However, one can’t help but feel it could have been more focused in places.

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2025-02-19 08:03