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Lucy and Desi

  • 2022
  • PG
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball in Lucy and Desi (2022)
This documentary explores the rise of comedic icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz, and how their groundbreaking sitcom I Love Lucy forever changed Hollywood.
Play trailer0:31
7 Videos
9 Photos
BiographyComedyDocumentaryDramaHistory

This film explores the rise of comedy icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz, and how their groundbreaking sitcom "I Love Lucy" forever changed Hollywood, cementing her legacy l... Read allThis film explores the rise of comedy icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz, and how their groundbreaking sitcom "I Love Lucy" forever changed Hollywood, cementing her legacy long after her death in 1989.This film explores the rise of comedy icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz, and how their groundbreaking sitcom "I Love Lucy" forever changed Hollywood, cementing her legacy long after her death in 1989.

  • Director
    • Amy Poehler
  • Writer
    • Mark Monroe
  • Stars
    • Lucie Arnaz
    • Bette Midler
    • Carol Burnett
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    3.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Amy Poehler
    • Writer
      • Mark Monroe
    • Stars
      • Lucie Arnaz
      • Bette Midler
      • Carol Burnett
    • 45User reviews
    • 63Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 3 wins & 18 nominations total

    Videos7

    Stream Now on Prime Video
    Trailer 0:31
    Stream Now on Prime Video
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:17
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:17
    Official Trailer
    Lucy and Desi
    Trailer 2:17
    Lucy and Desi
    What Amy Poehler Wants on Her Tombstone
    Clip 4:03
    What Amy Poehler Wants on Her Tombstone
    Lucy And Desi: Fearless
    Clip 1:06
    Lucy And Desi: Fearless
    Lucy And Desi: Lucy And Ethel
    Clip 1:02
    Lucy And Desi: Lucy And Ethel

    Photos8

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    Top cast60

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    Lucie Arnaz
    Lucie Arnaz
    • Self
    • (as Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill)
    Bette Midler
    Bette Midler
    • Self
    Carol Burnett
    Carol Burnett
    • Self
    Laura Laplaca
    • Self
    Eduardo Machado
    • Self
    Charo
    Charo
    • Self
    Journey Gunderson
    • Self
    Gregg Oppenheimer
    • Self
    David Daniels
    • Self
    Norman Lear
    Norman Lear
    • Self
    Desi Arnaz Jr.
    Desi Arnaz Jr.
    • Self
    Desi Arnaz
    Desi Arnaz
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Lucille Ball
    Lucille Ball
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Michele Spitz
    Michele Spitz
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    Fred Astaire
    Fred Astaire
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Barbara Billingsley
    Barbara Billingsley
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Fanny Brice
    Fanny Brice
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Bob Carroll Jr.
    Bob Carroll Jr.
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Amy Poehler
    • Writer
      • Mark Monroe
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews45

    7.73.2K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Lucy and Desi' is an engaging documentary exploring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's life and legacy. Poehler's direction is praised for capturing their relationship and TV impact. Archival footage and interviews with family and celebrities like Carol Burnett enhance the narrative. Some find it sentimental and lacking new insights, while others appreciate the fresh approach and comprehensive view of their lives and innovations.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    10jlfirebirds

    "'I Love Lucy' was never just a title.

    This was such a great film! Amy Poehler did an amazing job! It was very heart-felt and touching and just altogether a wonderful picture. It truly enraptures the lives of Lucy & Desi together and separate. If you are a Lucy fan, this is a must-see! It was much better than "Being the Ricardos". I know they are two different kinds of films, but, man, this one blows it out of the water. I could watch thus again and again. "'I Love Lucy' was never just a title."
    10rich-fouts

    Wonderful

    Amy Poehler delivers a masterful review of the rich, varied, fascinating history and story of this famous duo known as Lucy and Desi. Though it comes in the wake of the film, Being the Ricardos, it definitely presents new information and a fresh approach to a couple that's been the subject of many a documentary. Bravo, Amy.
    8brockfal

    Nostalgia and insight

    Lucille Ball became one of TV's early icons after a middling film career; her show 'I Love Lucy' with her real life husband was the biggest hit of its era, but their story is much more than that. This energetic often moving and interesting documentary is well worth watching for nostalgia value as well as well as many insights into TV history and the influences felt even now.
    8rkeilitz-19-537915

    Insightful Documentary With Love From Amy Poehler

    I was too young to appreciate I Love Lucy and the comedic genius of Lucille Ball. She was also way ahead of her time marrying Cuban born Desi Arnaz who emigrated to America. I do remember my parents telling me "do not disturb" when the show was on as they ate their Swanson TV dinners on their tray tables. This documentary is obviously a love letter to Ms. Ball and understandably so as legends such as Bette Midler, Carol Burnett have learned a lot from her. There really was nothing that was not public knowledge about the couple but still a very enjoyable watch.
    9kkmmbbtx

    I loved this one.

    Sure, nothing much too new here, but it had a really lovely and memory invoking feel. I was born about the time their show started. Grew up on all of it. I didn't like Being the Ricardos at all. It felt dark and sad and just not pleasant. It seemed to make them both not nice folks and even their love for each other was tainted.

    Thanks Amy Poehler for putting together a real tribute to them. I appreciate it.

    More like this

    Being the Ricardos
    6.5
    Being the Ricardos
    Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter
    6.5
    Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter
    Judy Blume Forever
    7.6
    Judy Blume Forever
    Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie
    8.1
    Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie
    I Love Lucy
    8.5
    I Love Lucy
    Wildcat
    7.7
    Wildcat
    Here's Lucy
    6.9
    Here's Lucy
    The Desilu Story
    7.3
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    Batman & Bill
    7.9
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    Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes
    7.4
    Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes
    At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal
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    The Battered Bastards of Baseball
    8.0
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Amy Poehler had full access to the estates of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, overseen by their daughter Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, to use pictures, videos, and sound.
    • Quotes

      Carol Burnett: She was fearless in her comedy. She was very physical.

    • Connections
      Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Iconic Old Hollywood Couples (2023)
    • Soundtracks
      Birth of a Band
      Written by Quincy Jones
      Performed by Quincy Jones
      Published by WC Music Corp. (ASCAP) obo Silhouette Music
      Courtesy of The Verve Music Group under license from Universal Music Enterprises

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Lucy and Desi?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 4, 2022 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Lucy ile Desi
    • Production companies
      • Amazon Studios
      • Imagine Entertainment
      • White Horse Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 43m(103 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo

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