Lucy in the Sky

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: October 4, 2019

4.4	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Ratings

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TVJerryOct 14, 2019

Writer/director Noah Hawley created 2 of the most interesting TV series of the last few seasons: LEGION and FARGO. He's hit the big screen with less success. Natalie Portman plays an astronaut who's space mission changes her life. When sheWriter/director Noah Hawley created 2 of the most interesting TV series of the last few seasons: LEGION and FARGO. He's hit the big screen with less success. Natalie Portman plays an astronaut who's space mission changes her life. When she returns to Earth, she can't seem to connect. Portman remains an accomplished actor, creating a damaged character that's a bit original and mostly compelling. Sadly, the script doesn't pack the wallop that would give her journey any emotional impact. Plus, some of the visual tricks that Hawley used in LEGION seem unnecessary here. This film is never dull, but never enthralling either.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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Brent_MarchantOct 6, 2019

What starts out as a promising tale of personal discovery regrettably turns hard to believe, almost campy, in the second half. Despite the film's fact-based nature, its story line degenerates into an overwritten, overacted debacle that almostWhat starts out as a promising tale of personal discovery regrettably turns hard to believe, almost campy, in the second half. Despite the film's fact-based nature, its story line degenerates into an overwritten, overacted debacle that almost becomes laughable at times, the otherwise-fine performance of Natalie Portman notwithstanding. Truly a missed opportunity to tell a story with some depth and meaning in an unlikely setting.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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GrantD243Oct 16, 2019

I don't think it's a surprise to anyone that astronauts can be changed and affected by their experiences in space. Physical changes are guaranteed, but mental changes are likely as well. Lucy in the Sky tries to capture this through itsI don't think it's a surprise to anyone that astronauts can be changed and affected by their experiences in space. Physical changes are guaranteed, but mental changes are likely as well. Lucy in the Sky tries to capture this through its portrayal of Lisa Nowak's wild story. And in a couple of ways, it succeeds. Lucy's initial struggle to re-adjust to life on Earth and her longing to fill the emptiness that she feels inside is portrayed effectively. And this film does nail the visual aspect fairly well. The visuals when she gets lost in her thoughts make what could be a dull moment far more interesting, and there are some nice shots sprinkled throughout. The often-changing aspect ratio is a respectable attempt at helping us get a better idea of what's going on in Lucy's head, but...does it really help? No, it doesn't add anything of actual substance. If anything, it made me take my focus off of what was actually happening on the screen and instead watch the edges of the shot widen or narrow.

It's clear Noah Hawley got a bit lost at some point. I don't know if it was in the writing or editing process, but he found himself focusing too much on trying to portray meaning through visual aspects and on-the-nose metaphors, and less on telling the story well. The timeline also gets extremely crunched in the third act, and the addition of her niece to the story was such an odd decision. She serves no purpose, at all. In fact, she actually made the story worse. Incredible.

This film already wasn't heading towards a standing ovation, but the third act fell so flat I darted out of my seat and out of the theater when the credits rolled.

Also...where was the diaper? That's like, I don't know, one of the main details that made this story outrageous and newsworthy in the beginning?… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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GreatMartinOct 15, 2019

Was it titled "Lucy In The Sky" just so a few lines of the Beatles' song could be sung? Maybe.

I hadn't been to a movie theatre for 11 days and though I watch movies on TV it isn't the same! My choices were "Jexi" which I would have liked toWas it titled "Lucy In The Sky" just so a few lines of the Beatles' song could be sung? Maybe.

I hadn't been to a movie theatre for 11 days and though I watch movies on TV it isn't the same! My choices were "Jexi" which I would have liked to have seen but the schedule was wrong or "Joker"--NO WAY!---or "Lucy In The Sky". I like Natalie Portman when I see her but I usually don't go to a movie just because she is in it so off I went.

"Inspired by real events" the names have been changed---to use the title song?---and is based on a female astronaut attacking a lover who has been seeing another woman.

The picture starts off showing Lucy (Portman) in space, lost in thought and asking for just a few minutes more. After landing, and at the first opportunity, she signs up for another trip not comfortable on earth anymore with her husband (Dan Stevens). In a brief conversation they decide she will have another child after she returns from the next trip but she knows that will never happen and so the affair with Mark (Jon Hamm), another astronaut, starts. It is here the film goes completely off track.

Lucy looks, feels different, even states that she never felt so alive and instead of following why the change, what happens physically and mentally when you go into space, we get into the melodrama.

The script by Noah Hawley, who also directs, Brian C. Brown and Elliott DiGuiseppi misses the chance to approach a space movie from a different and interesting angle. Hawley's direction does many tricks with the camera to try and see Lucy's big world out in space and the small world she has returned to only making the screen annoying.

Natalie Portman does fine as does Dan Stevens and Jon Hamm but Ellen Burstyn is wasted, as is the title tune!

"Lucy In The Sky" is too long at 126 minutes to hold your interest but as your mind wanders what it could have been helps the time past.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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JLuis_001Dec 21, 2019

It was an interesting premise that doesn't land all its ideas. Undoubtedly Natalie Portman was committed to the role but the rest is quite inconsequential, which was a shame because I really wanted to like this one.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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PurpleCrayon4UDec 18, 2019

Good Gosh - This Is Nothing But A Sex Movie - Lucy In The Sky was supposed to be science fiction, and I was all set to watch some great special effects - instead all I got was a movie about sex. Sex and infidelity and not being a good wifeGood Gosh - This Is Nothing But A Sex Movie - Lucy In The Sky was supposed to be science fiction, and I was all set to watch some great special effects - instead all I got was a movie about sex. Sex and infidelity and not being a good wife and not being a good mother and not being a good daughter......and bees. Seriously, Noah Hawley should have done a 'based upon a true story' paint-by-the-numbers directorial debut instead of throwing facts away and creating a fantasy piece that everyone hated. Natalie Portman gives an outstanding performance but everyone else, including the great Jon Hamm, just phoned in their parts. Oh yes - Ellen Burstyn - 'nuff said.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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FilmreactiviewOct 4, 2019

LUCY IN THE SKY Release October 4th, 2019

Audience REACTIONS at its World PREMIERE:

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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