Amy Poehler’s brilliant new documentary, Lucy and Desi (which will bow on Amazon Prime in March) looks at the legacy of two figures who shaped the course of so many lives as they forged their way into the hearts of so many of us through their beautiful partnership both onscreen and off. The film takes a heartfelt and very “these are the human beings, not just the icons” look at this pair who shaped so much of their industry (their legacy is far, far reaching) and in doing so created something truly magical in what they had to do. Had to, is the key word here. They had to work very hard, and believed in the work of it all, but that was shaped by the history that informed them, both individually and as a couple, and then after their eventual breakup, as well. Why do we have to do what we have to do? What informs us to do what we MUST do? How do we love one another? Where are those places in our hearts where we will always be wanting to return to? What drives us? And how will that drive shape ourselves, others and the world around us? Personal history and collective history collide here and this loving tribute is told from a clear-eyed sense of truthful reverence to the human beings at it’s core. There is beauty in reverence and there is beauty in saying “this person meant so much to me” and also, they were people. People who did amazing things and were amazing to me and to all of us for this and that reason. They came before so that I can be and you can be and you can do whatever it is that you need to and feel compelled to do, and often, it will be a journey.
From January 23rd, 2022