Lucy and Desi movie review & film summary (2022)

The network did not want to cast Arnaz as Ball’s husband. But Ball was tired of having her husband gone all the time because he was performing in night clubs; she wanted something they could do together. It worked very well for a few years. However, Arnaz had bigger ambitions. They bought RKO, the largest independent movie studio in Hollywood, and renamed it Desilu, where they produced some of the most successful television series of the 20^th century, from the original “Star Trek” to “Mission: Impossible” and “The Andy Griffith Show.” It is poignant to hear Ball and Arnaz confess that they were overwhelmed by their success, feeling pulled to keep getting bigger but not enjoying any of it, especially, for Ball, the administrative, non-performing responsibilities. Arnaz grew up rich and wanted to stop. Ball grew up poor and could not stop working. 

They survived failures but success was a bigger challenge. Poehler and writer Mark Monroe acknowledge but downplay the role of Arnaz’s womanizing and drinking as a reason for their break-up, almost suggesting it was somehow the fault of Ball’s greater success as a performer. Their daughter, Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill sadly describes a disastrous family trip where her parents argued the whole time.

As we move further from the beginnings of easily accessible technology like home movies, video, and cell phones, will be seeing more and more documentaries looking back at influential people through the literal lens of archival footage; some new, some very familiar to us, both reframed by previously unrevealed information. Recent examples include series about Bill Cosby and Woody Allen as well as films about Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, and Whitney Houston. This film is exceptionally skillful in matching the footage to the commentary in thoughtful, illuminating, and often touching pairings. 

It is terribly sad to see the later clips of their performances in this context. Their deep connection was palpable in “I Love Lucy.” The strain in their relationship is painfully evident in the follow-up “Lucy and Desi Comedy Hour.” They were still playing Lucy and Ricky on television, but Ball and Arnaz looked distracted and awkward. It is, after all, though, a love story. And the final scene, as Lucille Ball listens to the words Desi Arnaz left for her to hear when she received her Kennedy Center Honor, is as tender a love story as has ever been filmed.

On Prime Video today.