Amy Poehler, Mark Monroe and Amazon Studios have given us the most comprehensive look into the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Our Gadi Elkon says must see immediately but for here is his full review.
Amazon Studios presents LUCY AND DESI, director Amy Poehler and writer Mark Monroe’s insightful and intimate peek behind the curtain of two remarkable trailblazers – featuring interviews with Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, Norman Lear, Desi Arnaz Jr, Carol Burnett and Bette Midler.
The audio additions and family photography provide by Lucie Arnaz and family adds such depth to the full story of Lucy and Desi. The subject matter isn’t new and has been covered before but Amy Poehler, Mark Monroe and the team have collected such a wealth of additional material to open the story to new levels of impact. The deliberate pacing of the film adds to one of the more fluid long form documentaries out there. Every element of the love story of Lucy and Desi, the rise of the show, their own stories of coming into fame from nothing, and of course the tremendous rise of Desilu Studios are covered. The way in which you are given the full perspective is perfectly completed with an emotional ending at the Kennedy Center Honors of Lucille Ball in 1986. This film needs plenty of tissues just to get through the harrowing stories of Lucy and Desi coming to be Lucy and Desi.
The interviews with Carol Burnett and Better Midler harp to the big picture element of just how loved Lucy and Desi were to the TV and Film world. It is utterly entertaining to see the tremendous time frame covered by Lucy and Desi rising to the point of creating and running Desilu Studios. The film does a great job of showcasing the innovation of the I LOVE LUCY show and the worldwide impact of Desilu Studios on the TV and Film community. The doc has an incredible ability to capture the intimacy of the family and the vibrant expansive connections of the brand that was Lucy and Desi.
Documentaries are important for telling the reality behind the story and this film gives the full scope of Lucy and Desi. I went into the film thinking I knew a lot about this tremendous couple. I left the film feeling completely gob smacked with new knowledge and a deeper understanding of these icons. I also left feeling emotional impacted for getting to understand the real love between the two famous figures, even though their eventual public divorce. The ending of the film knocks you in the gut with one of the most loving endearing moments.
Flat out one of the most important and best documentaries of 2022!
Must See TV – FOR SURE!!
Directed by: Amy Poehler
Written by: Mark Monroe
Rated: PG
Selig Rating: 5 Stars
Running Time: 1h 43min
Documentary Biography Comedy
Exclusively available on Amazon Prime Today, March 4th
Starring: Lucie Arnez, Bette Midler, and Carol Burnett
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
