Ricki and the Flash

Despite its outstanding cast, "Ricki and the Flash", a film about regrets, love and redemption, is predictably saccharine.

Film lovers who naturally expect much from director Jonathan Demme given his superlative resume of weighty films such as "Silence of the Lambs," "Philadelphia," and "The Manchurian Candidate," are likely to be disappointed.

The talented actors must struggle with writer Diablo Cody's lightweight script and despite their best efforts, rarely rise above it.

Meryl Streep is Ricki Rendazzo, singer and guitarist in a rock and roll band. To achieve this dream, she left her husband, daughter and two sons years ago. Now her daughter is facing a divorce and having a serious meltdown, so Ricki returns to the family to help. Not surprisingly, daughter Julie (Mamie Gummer) is still furious with her mother for abandoning the family, as are her two brothers. Former husband Pete (Kevin Kline) has moved on to a happy marriage with Maureen (Audra McDonald).

Streep is still a great actor, although her portrayal of Ricki is at times heavy-handed. Gummer, Streep's real-life daughter, is on her way to matching if not outstripping her mother's skills and talent. Her Julie is taut and boiling and occasionally morphs into admiration for her mother. Neither Kline nor McDonald are given a chance to move beyond sweet but bland.

It all works out in the end, of course, and the music is great for Baby Boomers.

The DVD and Blu-Ray has one interesting special feature while the Blu-Ray's exclusives don't really add much to the overall package.

"Ricki and the Flash"
Blu-ray
www.sonypictures.com