Ricki, as a young woman, left her family to follow her dream of becoming a rock and roll singer. When she is called home during a family crisis she realizes how her absence has affected the lives of her children.

Meryl Streep, as always, plays the part perfectly. Even more impressive is that she learned to play the guitar for the part and did all her own singing. Julie, Ricki’s troubled daughter, is played by her real-life daughter Mamie Gummer.