Lucy and Desi

PG

2022

1 hr. 42 min.

Documentary

Biography

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94%

100 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

From director Amy Poehler, 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 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.

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Critics Consensus

Equal parts entertaining and informative, Lucy and Desi takes a palpably affectionate look at the lives and legacies of its groundbreaking subjects.

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Audience Member

Actress/director Amy Poehler, Imagine Documentaries, and Amazon Prime Video present the true story of two of television's most popular couples Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were one of the biggest tv stars all about unconditional love 'I Love Lucy' back in the 1950s took off and the romantic leads had chemistry on-and-off camera Interviews are given by the late actor's daughter, grandfather, and friends from behind the scenes like Carol Burnette, Bette Midler, Charo, Lucy & Katherine Hepburn Women looking silly and funny was a rare thing for Hollywood Lucille Ball built her own success in a time when women had very few opportunities in the workforce much less tv broadcasting She grew up watching vaudeville shows every weekend and she always wanted to do show business for a wide audience Her grandfather went through a straining trial of accidentally shooting a boy in the woods during a hunting trip But it wasn't until Lucille Ball started in Hollywood she finally found her footing after starring in several pictures so her comedic talents could finally be seen Desi Arnaz came to the United States penniless and intelligent Latin Americans in tv wasn't common but he and Lucy catapulted something extraordinary being one of the earliest interracial couples, son saw it as taboo and wanted nothing to do with her Like any celebrities they face their ups and downs in terms of radio, show business, personal problems Communist investigations even started to hit home in the industry not just tv but movie stars Desi because he was a Cuba native saw how difficult it was considering his home lost all their money and was labeled as a red because they put a communist in jail; to know his wife Lucille was accused was shocking to him The Cuban revolution occurred when he was only 14 with riots and destruction of public property making things seem bleak and unsafe so it turned Desi into a refugee Lucille's home life was unhappy and Desi felt overshadowed by her being more in the spotlight But regardless their popularity even outmatched the Presidential inauguration as well as the coronation of the queen The both of them operated the most successful television company in the world but over time they separated when they decided they never got what they wanted, there's always other things any famous people want more or get tired of You don't necessarily have to be a funny person to get a laugh, you can either quit or get bigger, no one can be half-assed successful Amy Poehler you can tell is clearly inspired by the late comedian actress so she handles both subjects with such clarity If there's ever a documentary that covers hagiography this is a pure example that expertly covers the public and private portions of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's fame, love, humor, and impact on television

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/05/24

Full Review

Jeff M

This is an absolutely wonderful documentary - required viewing for anyone even remotely interested in either of the titular stars, their groundbreaking sitcom or the Golden Age of Hollywood in general. After the disappointment of the fictional BEING THE RICARDOS a few months ago, this is likely going to stand the test of time as the ultimate dissection of the founders of Desilu Productions. I'm so very impressed with Poehler's direction here - perhaps it takes the creativity of one comic master to delve into the heart of another. But virtually every decision she makes here is flawless. We are treated to behind the scenes and audio and video clips that I've never seen before - it's more than just the generic clips of Lucy stomping grapes and getting tipsy after too many sips of Vitameatavegamin. Interviews range from Carol Burnett to Bette Midler and even the one and only Charo. The most telling moments obviously come from daughter Lucie - a reminiscence of Desi's final moments is especially touching. This is one of those rare documentaries that feels like more than just a basic two hours you'd see on DATELINE NBC or 20/20. I learned a lot about both Lucy and Desi - both had trouble childhoods that were very surprising. Most importantly, the filmmakers have an obvious love and devotion toward their subject matter. I know the year is young, but I'd be very surprised if this is not on my Ten Best list of 2022.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Actress/director Amy Poehler, Imagine Documentaries, and Amazon Prime Video present the true story of two of television's most popular couples Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were one of the biggest tv stars all about unconditional love 'I Love Lucy' back in the 1950s took off and the romantic leads had chemistry on-and-off camera Interviews are given by the late actor's daughter, grandfather, and friends from behind the scenes like Carol Burnette, Bette Midler, Charo, Lucy & Katherine Hepburn Women looking silly and funny was a rare thing for Hollywood Lucille Ball built her own success in a time when women had very few opportunities in the workforce much less tv broadcasting She grew up watching vaudeville shows every weekend and she always wanted to do show business for a wide audience Her grandfather went through a straining trial of accidentally shooting a boy in the woods during a hunting trip But it wasn't until Lucille Ball started in Hollywood she finally found her footing after starring in several pictures so her comedic talents could finally be seen Desi Arnaz came to the United States penniless and intelligent Latin Americans in tv wasn't common but he and Lucy catapulted something extraordinary being one of the earliest interracial couples, son saw it as taboo and wanted nothing to do with her Like any celebrities they face their ups and downs in terms of radio, show business, personal problems Communist investigations even started to hit home in the industry not just tv but movie stars Desi because he was a Cuba native saw how difficult it was considering his home lost all their money and was labeled as a red because they put a communist in jail; to know his wife Lucille was accused was shocking to him The Cuban revolution occurred when he was only 14 with riots and destruction of public property making things seem bleak and unsafe so it turned Desi into a refugee Lucille's home life was unhappy and Desi felt overshadowed by her being more in the spotlight But regardless their popularity even outmatched the Presidential inauguration as well as the coronation of the queen The both of them operated the most successful television company in the world but over time they separated when they decided they never got what they wanted, there's always other things any famous people want more or get tired of You don't necessarily have to be a funny person to get a laugh, you can either quit or get bigger, no one can be half-assed successful Amy Poehler you can tell is clearly inspired by the late comedian actress so she handles both subjects with such clarity If there's ever a documentary that covers hagiography this is a pure example that expertly covers the public and private portions of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's fame, love, humor, and impact on television

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/13/23

Full Review

Jared S

Scramble of shots from I Love Lucy that made it hard to really appreciate the greatness that was the show. Just play a whole clip!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/05/22

Full Review

Nick J

The I Love Lucy show was one of my first TV viewing experiences, and I liked it well enough as a child. Now, after the passage of many decades, I see what a great comedy show it was, and this documentary is such a good tribute to the talent and effort of the couple who made it possible. Desi and Lucy's story is the American dream come true, with all the hard realities of real life. The producers of this show did an excellent job presenting it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/20/22

Full Review

hank h

Excellent from beginning to end. I loved it and would highly recommend to anyone who loved Lucy. I grew up watching I love Lucy and Still love the series now..timeless..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/27/22

Full Review

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Amy Poehler

Director

Lucie Arnaz

Self

Lucille Ball

Self

Desi Arnaz

Self

Bette Midler

Self

Carol Burnett

Self

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Lucy and Desi: Trailer 1

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Brad Newsome

Sydney Morning Herald

Amy Poehler’s poignant and celebratory documentary about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz provides fascinating insights into the extraordinary lives of television’s ground-breaking power couple.

Apr 7, 2022

Full Review

Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

Very affectionate and very loving to Lucille Ball in particular.

Mar 12, 2022

Full Review

Robert Levin

Newsday

This is a first-rate documentary that tells the story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in a way that allows for new insights into who they were and why they had the impact they did.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 8, 2022

Full Review

Sarah Vincent

Cambridge Day

Even if unconditional love was essential to surviving the Un-American Activities Committee, misogyny and charges of “miscegenation,” a less reverential film would have probed into the logistics of how a couple could craft a home and an empire

Rated: 2/4

Aug 16, 2023

Full Review

Greg Carlson

Vague Visages

Poehler makes certain to strike a steady and careful balance between Ball and Arnaz in Lucy and Desi, allowing them to share the spotlight in a meaningful way far more satisfying than any loose-with-the-facts biopic fictionalization.

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Cate Young

Thirty, Flirty + Film

"It is a lovely portrait of a pioneering showbiz couple, that could only have been handled by a director with the reverence that Poehler demonstrates."

Nov 19, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

From director Amy Poehler, 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 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.

Director: Amy Poehler
Executive Producer: Sara Bernstein, Nicholas Ferrall, Brian Grazer, Cassidy Hartmann, Ron Howard, Morgan Sackett, Jordan Grief
Screenwriter: Mark Monroe
Production Co: Imagine Documentaries, White Horse Pictures
Rating: PG (Language|Thematic Elements|Smoking)
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 4, 2022
Sound Mix: Stereo

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