Lucy In The Sky Review

Writer/director Noah Hawley’s film Lucy In The Sky is a strange and confounding character study that becomes more intriguing as it slowly, and sometimes chaotically, unravels. Although there are moments where Hawley and co-writers Brian C. Brown and Elliot DiGuiseppi try too hard to incorporate artistic symbolism within the character arcs and narrative, the story they have ultimately conjured becomes an enthralling odyssey about the self-destruction and rediscovery of an overachiever. Reinforced with Hawley’s incredibly stylistic approach to directing that’s constantly shifting speeds and aspect ratios, the result is a creative and enchanting journey that may divide its viewers.

Lucy In The Sky follows Lucy, an astronaut that will be the first to admit here searing competitiveness and hunger for victory. After returning from her first mission in space, Lucy is deeply moved by the transcendent experience of being up in the cosmos. A feeling that lingers and slowly becomes something that shifts Lucy’s philosophical, spiritual, and psychological feelings into something that begins to shape her as someone completely different than she once was. A metamorphosis that Lucy must choose to abandon or embrace.

The direction and production design has been handled with a level of care and focus to detail needed to accomplish the ever-transforming visuals and narrative that is done throughout the film, but where Lucy In The Sky shines brightest is in its titular woman. Blending between protagonist and antagonist, Natalie Portman as Lucy owns the constant shifts in philosophical and emotional tone, leading the character confidently into scenes that depend on her unpredictability.

However, the film doesn’t find success in everything, parts in the film seem distractingly overdramatic to bring more focus to the symbolisms that arise too often and unnaturally. While some of Hawley’s more visually ambitious transitions or edits can come off more pretentious than innovative. These moments are not overly distracting or damaging but can still break the tone and immersion that the film can sometimes work so hard to build.

Overall, the inconsistent tone and rigid arcs that characters take in Lucy In The Sky may create a story that struggles to find it’s footing for some, but Hawley proves more often than not that he’s capable of keeping everything on course. Besides some scattered moments that visually and emotionally miss, Lucy In The Sky ultimately results in a gripping story that thrives most when it’s focused on its themes of change and undiscovered feelings.

Visually and stylistically unique and an interesting character-driven story keeps Lucy In The Sky an exciting film.

Produced By: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Runtime: 124 minutes
Rating: R