#TIFF19: “LUCY IN THE SKY”

Review by Mr. Will Wong

Lucy in the Sky centers on an astronaut’s successful journey into space and the aftermath of this when she re-evaluates her life.  We witness Lucy‘s (Natalie Portman) unravelling as she loses her perspective on the world after she accomplishes the mission. She becomes unhinged, losing her inhibitions and what ensues is a downward spiral from which we can’t keep our eyes off.

The Drama-Thriller is Noah Hawley‘s directorial debut. While it is an ambitious task telling this story, which starts on solid footing in its First Act, before turning tonally into the unpredictable, he manages to maintain our interest as we witness Lucy‘s fall from grace.

Portman cannot be faulted as she is fully committed to making us see the world through Lucy’s eyes and she does it in a compelling way. However, even she – a master of her craft – is unable to resuscitate the Film’s implausabilities and unevenness, where we never see developed fully, Jon Hamm‘s Mark nor Lucy‘s husband Drew (Dan Stevens). And this was better needed to pave the way for her eventual path.

Lucy in the Sky screens at TIFF:

Wed, Sep 11
Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
9:00pm

Thu, Sep 12
Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
2:30pm

Fri, Sep 13
Elgin Theatre
1:00pm

Sun, Sep 15
Scotiabank Theatre
5:45pm