Lucy and Desi

With ample footage shared not only from the mega-hit "I Love Lucy" TV comedy series but also from the personal archives of Lucille Ball and family, I can promise you that you will find more than you knew before in this documentary. If you are a fan of Lucille Ball, "Lucy And Desi" will not only make you chuckle with nostalgic glee but feel that deep and silent sorrow that only follows in the wake of legends whose time has long ended but whose work and memory live on. Great work on direction by Amy Poehler who managed to capture not only the spiritual essence of Lucille Ball, but also celebrities, comedians, and family members who together ensured that this documentary will be one of the top most-seen ones in the Lucille Ball lexicon. One of the most significant 'guests' in this docu was Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, daughter of the legendary two whose name she bears so elegantly and with such wonderful pride. Desi Arnaz Jr. Lent his voice at one point in this powerful documentary, and so did A-listers like Bette Midler and Carol Burnett. Stories and memories straight from the source, records and chronicles that stood the test of time... These helped define the "Lucy And Desi" documentary on Amazon Prime Video. It was every bit as engaging and compelling as I expected it to be. Thanks to the magical work of all the crew members who worked on this project, you will certainly conclude this documentary with a fresh sliver of respect for two of television's finest artists, to say nothing of the woman who became a gold standard and forged an inspiring path for female comediennes and women in power for generations to come. If you can't already guess the 'woman' I referred to, here's a hint: she is all our favourite redhead, and we love her for eternity.

This was a well put together documentary on both Lucy and Desi. I've seen lots of things about Lucille Ball so I was familiar with some of what was shared in this but I didn't know much about Desi and his life in Cuba or his start in the entertainment industry. I think it was great that their children were involved in the making of this. There were some surprises about them and great home footage. Anyone who wants to learn more about the both of them and have a look at what went on behind the scenes of "I love Lucy" then this is the documentary to watch.

Greetings again from the darkness. Since it is arriving on the heels of Aaron Sorkin's dramatized BEING THE RICARDOS (2021), it's tempting to view this documentary as if a professor is grading his work ... or at least fact-checking. However, Sorkin's film, which resulted in Oscar nominations for Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, and JK Simmons, was based on a snapshot in time (and even took some liberties with that), while this first documentary from Amy Poehler takes a much wider lens to the life and career of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. An elite comedian herself, Ms. Poehler's obvious admiration and respect for Lucy is understandable, and her film plays much like a tribute to her hero. She includes brief interviews with such legends as Carol Burnett, Norman Lear, Bette Midler, and Charo ... each who have had enormous success in the comedy field. These folks all tip their cap to Lucy and Desi and their remarkable groundbreaking achievements with "I Love Lucy" - the most important, the most beloved, and the most long-lived sitcom in TV history. Ms. Poehler also interviews Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucy and Desi. We learn a long-forgotten box of audio tapes was discovered, and that allows us to hear much of their history directly from Lucy and Desi. Lucie adds to the loving and respectful nature of the presentation, although we can't help but notice her brother, Desi Jr, only shows up in one brief clip of a previous interview. Poehler complements the audio tapes with some excellent archival footage, including home movies that add to the personal feel. The necessary background is provided so that we may better appreciate just what these two accomplished. Lucy's grandfather took her to vaudeville shows, and she worked as a model prior to becoming "Queen of the B's". Desi's family was affiliated with the Bacardi rum empire and lost everything in the 1933 Cuban revolution when he was 14. He worked in Xavier Cugat's band and refined the "Conga line" that is still a party favorite these days. Lucy and Desi met on the set of the RKO movie TOO MANY GIRLS (1940) and after a whirlwind romance, the two were married shortly thereafter. The marriage difficulties are soft-pedaled, and while it's clear they loved each other very much, we learn that due to Desi's stint in the Army and near-constant touring with his band, that the newlyweds saw very little of each other those first few years. In fact, that's what inspired Lucy to demand that Desi play her husband in the new TV show. We then learn about the extraordinary business decisions that were made - not just for the show, but also in founding their own studio, Desilu, which allowed them to own their show and produce others. It was the selling of all 179 episodes of "I Love Lucy" that kicked off the whole idea of reruns, a staple of today's television programming. We see some classic clips from the sitcom, as well as footage of Desi performing his signature "Babaloo". Lucy and Desi met, fell in love, worked together in the most popular sitcom of all-time, had kids together, built a revolutionary studio business together, divorced, and loved each other forever. Lucie recalls her mother visiting Desi as he lay in bed, slowly dying from lung cancer. She could hear their laughter as they watched "I Love Lucy" reruns. Is the story truth or legend? Does it matter? The two had a lasting and historic impact on the entertainment world, both from what was on screen and from the business side of running a studio. And even today, everyone still loves Lucy. Exclusively on Amazon Prime beginning March 4, 2022.

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.

I grew up watching I Love Lucy! Best show on television, then and now. This documentary shows the love two people can have for each other and realize they just can't be married. Such respect for each other. Lucille Ball was the best.

Every time I watch a documentary on artists I love who passed away breaks me down to tears. Every. Single. Time. Considering how much I love Lucy and Desi and their show I should have seen it coming a mile away. Even the latest motion picture, Being the Ricardos, has done that to me as well. That says something. Something that has to be said: that Lucy and Desi's story still resonates even after 60+ years after their divorce and 30+ years since their deaths - it's something that will always be in the memory of everyone who knew them, their work and their relationship. A love that never dies, even when the marriage falls apart - a true love will never end. And that's the point of life. No one will live forever but the love of two people will continue on living in the children and many many millions of other people whose lives were touched by those two. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz is a story for all ages and what they have created is immeasurable in terms of greatness. I loved Lucy and Desi, the documentary, and I will love them for as long as I live.

This documentary had little new information. It is a bit white washed and skips over the dark side of their relationship. Not surprising given Lucy Luckinbill's participation. Better have Kleenex available for the ending.

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.

Desi and Lucy jumped into this crazy new medium called television as a means of being able to be together -- work, family, life, success -- and to experience creating something together. They were pioneers of early television, of course, but they were well ahead of studio executives who didn't think a redheaded American and a charming Cuban could interest audiences. Desi and Lucy trusted their guts and gave us one of the greatest TV shows...ever! Amy Poehler has done a brilliant job of giving us a chance to see Desi and Lucy as more than just icons; she's shown us the flesh and blood humans who changed the world of television, as well as what it cost the couple to succeed as wildly as they did. What a truly moving documentary! I smiled, I laughed, I cried, and I came away with greater appreciation for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz -- the performers and the people. I also came away with even greater respect for Poehler, who's given us a beautiful documentary about show business and a fascinating love story about people so many of us thought we already knew. 102 minutes of awe-inspiring storytelling.

Let me start by saying I'm a huge Lucy fan. I'm talking memorabilia, a memorized Vitameatavegamin sketch, and a trip to Jamestown, NY. I know all there is to (publicly) know about Lucy and Desi. I had such high hopes for this documentary, but it fell so short. It missed a lot of important facts about the two of them, and glossed over others in a sentence, leaving viewers lost and confused.