It’s hard to believe that it has been almost two years since the release of ‘Lucy in the Sky,’ the science fiction film directed by Noah Hawley and starring Natalie Portman, Jon Hamm, Zazie Beetz, and Dan Stevens. The movie was met with mixed reviews, but it’s still worth watching and discussing today.
Lucy in the Sky is a story about a female astronaut, Lucy Cola, who returns to Earth after a lengthy mission in space and struggles to readjust to life on the ground. She soon finds herself in a passionate affair with a fellow astronaut, Mark Goodwin, and is overcome with an overwhelming sense of jealousy and paranoia. As her mental health deteriorates, she begins to question her reality and her sanity, leading her down a dangerous path.
The movie’s most obvious strength is its cast. Natalie Portman delivers an Emmy-worthy performance as Lucy and is ably supported by Jon Hamm, Zazie Beetz, and Dan Stevens. Portman’s character is complex and fragile, and her portrayal of Lucy’s mental fragility is both believable and heartbreaking. The supporting cast all deliver strong performances, particularly Stevens, who conveys Mark’s smoldering intensity with ease.
The film is also visually stunning, with its vibrant colors and sweeping shots of space and the Earth’s surface. Hawley’s use of visual effects only serves to enhance the surreal atmosphere of the film, and the score, composed by Clint Mansell, is suitably grand and mysterious.
The screenplay is also of high quality, with Hawley managing to inject a sense of psychological tension into the story. The film is as much about Lucy’s psychological descent as it is about her time in space, and there are moments of real insight into the dangers of feeling disconnected and isolated from the world.
The main criticism of the movie is that it lacks a satisfying conclusion. The film ends with Lucy in a psychiatric hospital, and while it’s meant to be a poignant moment, it feels a little too abrupt and unresolved. It leaves the viewer wanting more, and Hawley could have used the final moments of the film to better explore Lucy’s mental state and her relationship with her family.
Despite its flaws, Lucy in the Sky is still worth watching. It’s a thought-provoking and beautifully shot film with a strong cast and an intriguing story. While it may not be the most satisfying of endings, it still leaves the viewer with plenty to think about, particularly in regard to mental health and the struggles of adjusting to life on Earth after an extended mission in space.
If you’re looking for a movie that will make you think, then Lucy in the Sky is definitely worth watching. It’s a beautiful and thought-provoking film that explores the dangers of feeling disconnected and isolated, and it’s sure to leave you with plenty to ponder. Don’t expect a neat and tidy ending, but do expect an intriguing and rewarding experience.
