Lucy And Desi Review: Poehler Knocks Her Documentary Debut Out Of The Park

Amazon fully committed to telling the story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz with Aaron Sorkin’s Oscar-nominated Being the Ricardos. Despite its star power, the film wasn’t the year’s strongest portrayal of the iconic comedy duo — nor was it Amazon’s best effort on the subject. That distinction goes to Lucy and Desi, the powerful and revealing documentary directed by Amy Poehler in her directorial debut. Honest, uncompromising, and unexpectedly funny, Poehler’s film leaves audiences wondering why she wasn’t cast as Ball herself. While Lucy and Desi may not dazzle with its filmmaking style, its emotional depth takes viewers on a moving journey that fans of the legendary couple won’t soon forget.

Lucy and Desi traces the remarkable journey of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the legendary duo behind the groundbreaking sitcom I Love Lucy, as they navigate the highs and lows of Hollywood stardom. Unlike many aspiring stars of her time, Ball wasn’t driven by dreams of fame — she simply wanted to earn a living to support her family, which led her into modeling. After years of grinding through B-movies and slowly building her résumé, she reached a point where casting calls began asking for a “Lucille Ball type.” Her career had finally taken off — but her comedic brilliance remained untapped. That changed when she joined forces with Cuban bandleader and television pioneer Desi Arnaz. What followed was iconic — but the story doesn’t end with I Love Lucy. Together, Ball and Arnaz didn’t just redefine television comedy — they built what would become the largest independent film and TV studio of their time, reshaping the entertainment industry from behind the scenes.