Lucy in the Sky Dvd

Lucy in the Sky is a 2019 American drama film co-written and directed by Noah Hawley (in his feature directorial debut) and starring Natalie Portman, Jon Hamm, Zazie Beetz, Dan Stevens, Colman Domingo, and Ellen Burstyn. It is loosely based on astronaut Lisa Nowak’s criminal activities around her romantic involvement with fellow astronaut William Oefelein.

The film was produced by Fox Searchlight Pictures and had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2019 and was theatrically released on October 4, 2019, by Fox Searchlight. It received negative reviews from critics and was a box office bomb, grossing under $1 million against its $21 million budget.

Plot

Astronaut Lucy Cola is left awestruck from her first mission in outer space. Upon returning to Earth, she immediately feels disconnected from her normal life with her husband and niece. Although required to undergo NASA therapy and recommended to rest, Lucy begins pushing herself physically and mentally in order to return to space on the next available mission. During training, Lucy encounters a younger female astronaut named Erin. Bored by and frustrated with her supportive husband, Lucy begins spending time with other astronauts who have been to space, eventually beginning an affair with one named Mark.

Determined to beat a record recently set by Erin, Lucy nearly drowns during an underwater test, but remains completely calm with her heartbeat actually growing calmer. Later it is discovered that Mark is also having an affair with Erin, leaving Lucy feeling increasingly isolated from her husband. Refusing to be beaten, Lucy pushes to escalate her affair and demands that Mark cease his relationship with Erin. Lucy’s beloved grandmother dies of a stroke, an event that leaves Lucy deeply distressed and causing her husband to be increasingly concerned by her erratic behavior. Breaking down after the funeral, Lucy walks out on her husband, with her teenage niece in tow. She cries in a public restroom at a bowling alley and says, “Is this as good as it gets?”

NASA administration confronts Lucy with her near drowning (as well as evidence that she has been blowing off therapy) and tells her she is being passed over for the role in the upcoming mission. Despite promises that she can qualify for the following mission in three years time, Lucy becomes furious and paranoid that she has been passed over for ulterior reasons. Breaking into Mark’s computer, Lucy finds emails showing both that he has continued his affair with Erin, as well as correspondence from Mark urging NASA that Lucy be passed over. Her paranoia is confirmed when Lucy finds that Erin has been selected for the mission.

With her grip on reality now completely unraveling, Lucy decides to take revenge on Mark and Erin. Lucy and her niece embark on a cross country trip. Along the way, she experiences hallucinations of her grandmother and leaves emotionally erratic messages for NASA. Wearing a fake wig, Lucy storms into an airport where Mark and Erin are located. Stalking Mark to his car, Lucy tearfully confronts him but is stopped when Erin appears. Mark is blinded by fly spray and drives off. Lucy completely breaks down and is apprehended by the police while attempting to flee. An assortment of weapons and tools are discovered in her car.

Three years later, Lucy’s niece is giving a presentation in class, with Lucy’s husband in attendance. Lucy is working as a beekeeper; she closes one of the hives, then opens the hood of her protective suit, smiling momentarily at the bees and one butterfly flying around her.

Cast

Natalie Portman as Lucy Cola
Jon Hamm as Mark Goodwin
Zazie Beetz as Erin Eccles
Dan Stevens as Drew Cola
Colman Domingo as Frank Paxton
Ellen Burstyn as Nana Holbrook
Pearl Amanda Dickson as Blue Iris
Jeremiah Birkett as Hank Lynch
Joe Williamson as Mayer Hines
Nick Offerman as Dr. Will Plimpton
Tig Notaro as Kate Mounier
Jeffrey Donovan as Jim Hunt