Lucy and Desi

Name: Lucy and Desi
Genre: Documentary
Released: March 4, 2022
Duration: 102 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Michael Stern

2022

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

See All

6.3

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.3	Your Score
6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Lucy And Desi

Now Playing: Lucy And Desi

Movie Details & Credits

Amazon Studios | Release Date (Streaming): March 4, 2022 | Not Rated

Starring: Michael Stern

Summary: Lucy and Desi explores the unlikely partnership and enduring legacy of one of the most prolific power couples in entertainment history. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz risked everything to be together. Their love for each other led to the most influential show in the history of television, I Love Lucy. Desi – an immigrant from Cuba who lostLucy and Desi explores the unlikely partnership and enduring legacy of one of the most prolific power couples in entertainment history. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz risked everything to be together. Their love for each other led to the most influential show in the history of television, I Love Lucy. Desi – an immigrant from Cuba who lost everything in exile, became a band leader, and eventually a brilliant producer and technical pioneer. Lucille came from nothing and, with an unrivaled work ethic, built a career as a model, chorus girl and eventually as an actor in the studio system. She found her calling in comedy, first in radio. When Lucille was finally granted the opportunity to have her own television show, she insisted that her real-life spouse, Desi, be cast as her husband. Defying the odds, they re-invented the medium, on the screen and behind the cameras. The foundation of I Love Lucy was the constant rupture and repair of unconditional love. What Lucy and Desi couldn’t make work with each other, they gave to the rest of the world. Lucy and Desi is an insightful and intimate peek behind the curtain of these two remarkable trailblazers – featuring interviews with Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, Norman Lear, Desi Arnaz Jr, Carol Burnett and Bette Midler.… Expand

Director: Amy Poehler

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 102 min

See All Details and Credits

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Mick LaSalle

Mar 1, 2022

The film documents how Lucy used her clout to get her husband cast as her co-star. It was a way for them to see each other. The rest is history, but a really interesting history. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Nell Minow

Mar 4, 2022

This film is exceptionally skillful in matching the footage to the commentary in thoughtful, illuminating, and often touching pairings. Read full review

Gary Goldstein

Mar 3, 2022

[An] absorbing, entertaining and lovingly crafted documentary. Read full review

IndieWire Robert Daniels

Jan 28, 2022

Smart and affecting ... It’s not flashy. It’s not often revelatory for any super fans, or even anyone who watched "Being the Ricardos" ... "Lucy and Desi," however, is still meaty as a standalone work, and an essential, authentic salute to these trailblazers. Read full review

Collider Ross Bonaime

Apr 12, 2022

Lucy and Desi isn’t breaking the mold in terms of biographical documentaries, but when put together in this package, the story of Ball and Arnaz has an impressive weight beyond just a collection of compelling anecdotes. Read full review

Fionnuala Halligan

Jan 28, 2022

Lucy And Desi benefits greatly from a raft of archival footage ... Repeated montages and a schmaltzy score can lessen their effect, but Poehler has strong sense of the couple’s contribution to the entertainment industry, and nobody watching her documentary will emerge anything less than convinced of how outstanding that was. Read full review

The Guardian Charles Bramesco

Mar 2, 2022

For all the amazement at Ball’s tireless hustle and explosive originality, there’s a terminal lack of both in this monument to her memory. Read full review

SEE ALL 27 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

MilesRobtMills

Mar 6, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Mostly with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with some clips from the TV shows and public appearances this is a look at the relationship of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. It has a few interviews most notably their daughter Lucy Arnez and briefly their son Desi Arnaz Jr., along with Carol Burnett, Charo, children of some of their collaborators & Bette Midler. Having always love Lucille Ball and Betten ever I could not believe I didn't know they're strong connection. While you got to relive a lot of the big laughs from I I Love Lucy I also found this very emotional. They were probably the most famous real life married couple on TV of their time but there was a lot of stuff that we're on behind the scenes we didn't always know. Call Tim and Lee I found it very sad that their reasons for creating a I Love Lucy were to be together and have a family but by the end of the series that was fractured. But they always loved each other. They just couldn't be married to each other. Especially noteworthy is Amy Poehler who directed this journey through the lives of the stars of one of the most popular situation comedies of all times.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Mar 11, 2022

If you've seen Being the Ricardos, you've pretty much know lots of this…in "fictional" form. Amy Poehler directed this doc that looks at the personal lives and professional achievements of this famous couple. The primary source comes from audio tapes they recorded, but there are also otherIf you've seen Being the Ricardos, you've pretty much know lots of this…in "fictional" form. Amy Poehler directed this doc that looks at the personal lives and professional achievements of this famous couple. The primary source comes from audio tapes they recorded, but there are also other interview clips and plenty of archival footage. It covers the innovations they brought to TV, as well as their enduring love, even when they split. To add a current perspective there are interviews with Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill (their daughter), Norman Lear, Carol Burnett and Bette Midler, both of whom considered Lucy a mentor. Since the couple had such accomplished careers, there's a lot to cover and all of it is covered without much depth. Still, as a look back at their influence and love, it's full of interesting information and visual entertainment.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 2 REVIEWS