avocadess

I kept watching it, sure that something of import would be relayed. I should not have bothered. In case it helps, I'm certain I would not have liked the book either. I gave it more stars than I liked, because I thought the cinematography was good, there was a lot of good acting, and amazing casting for someone to play the protagonist when she was younger. However the dialogue and content, for me, was miserable.

I grew up watching "I Love Lucy" and throughout the film the one thing that really, really bothered me -- and I could not stop being bothered by it -- was the DARKNESS of the sets. Everything was seen through a GLOOMY lighting. Almost everything. It was just creepy to me.

Nicole Kidman was amazing at getting Lucy's voice inflections "just right" a surprising number of times, though her facial expressions rarely said "Lucy" to me. She was too stone-faced -- even when she was playing a role on the TV set with Ricky, Fred and Ethel. Maybe her face cannot do it now, I don't know, but it felt frustrating to me. Otherwise she did a very good, if very overall gloomy, version of Lucy.

I apologize I do not know the name of the actor that played Ricky. He was AMAZING and I cannot imagine anyone else playing Ricky Ricardo better than him. And (to me) he was even more handsome than Ricky, and with at least with as much (if not more) charm. Is he Cuban? His accent was perfect and his acting was superb.

The darkness of the sets was a HUGE turnoff to me and it was hard for me not to walk away from even watching this movie. (I did turn away a lot because of it.) But at the same time I could not help but play it to the end, because there were such interesting parts in it. This film really showed the "other side" of their lives -- but failed to INCLUDE the bright and whimsical side so many of us grew up to know and love.

What a wonderful movie. I have only in the past few years learned a little about Polycarp, who was mentored by John the Apostle in John's later years. A rich part of very early Christian history comes through the story of Polycarp, and it is a very helpful story for those who understand they must embolden themselves for the final days, when followers of Christ Jesus will be severely persecuted.

I love the ways that this film shows some of the trials Polycarp and those near to him had to deal with, and for people like me with ears that WANT to hear, this film is not preachy at all, but a true jewel. It is my sincere belief that without those who literally hate Christ Jesus voting, this film would have been rated much, much higher. I agree with those who say most Christian movies are amateurish, etc. -- but vehemently disagree when it comes to this movie (and a few others, such as The Case for Christ, which also was very well done though depicting much more modern times).

Polycarp. Wow. Great film.