Red Head

Author(s): Connor Campbell (TX)
Red Head

Directed by Stephen Daldry
Written by David Hare
Original Score by Phillip Glass
Edited by Claire Simpson
Cinematography by Seamus McGarvey
Costume Design by Ann Roth
Art Direction by Nick Palmer and Phillipa Hart

Main Cast:

Olivia Thirlby- Lucille Ball, 20’s
Debra Messing- Lucille Ball, 40’s
Debbie Reynolds- Lucille Ball, 70’s
Kristen Bell- Ginger Rogers
Parker Posey- Katherine Hepburn
John C. Reilly- Gregory La Cava
Javier Bardem- Desi Arnaz
Brooke Smith- Vivian Vance
Philip Baker Hall- William Frawley
Burt Reynolds- Gary Morton

Tagline: “A Woman’s life in 3 days”

Synopsis:

February 23, 1937-
We’re filming Stage Door. This could possibly be the film that will rocket me to stardom. This is my big break. I am unsure though. I’ve been told I’ll never make it as an actress. But here I am, signed with MGM. I’m very lucky that Mr. La Cava has given me the chance to work with a talented director such as himself. Plus, I get to work with my best friend Ginger. She’s such an amazing actress and a great friend. But I am most excited to be working with Katherine Hepburn. I expected her to be very rude and stuck up but she’s actually quite kind. This is the experience of a life time, sitting in this studio, shooting a movie with Kat Hepburn. I couldn’t possibly imagine anything better. By this time next year, everyone will know Lucille Ball.

I was wrong about Stage Door. I am still an unknown actress.

March 2, 1960-
We’re filming the last episode of The Lucy-Desi comedy hour. Desi and I haven’t spoken a word to each other except while on stage. It’s one thing to have Viv and William always fighting each other but when your two leads aren’t speaking, you should be glad it’s the last episode. I have suffered too much with him. I got at least 20 phone calls after our last episode asking if I had been crying. Desi is so stubborn and arrogant. I can’t stand him any longer. 20 years is long enough. All things must come to an end. We will file for divorce tomorrow and Desi will be out of my life forever. I will be a new Lucille Ball.

I was wrong about Desi. We would continue to be friends until he died.

April 25, 1989-
I’m at the Cedars-Sinai Hospital. I have what they call a dissecting aortic aneurysm. I could have died. I’m so lucky to be alive, here with my husband Gary on this beautiful day. I’m much better now. My surgery was a success. I want to leave here as soon as possible and live the rest of my life happy with my family. This is the life, living life to the fullest after a brush with death. I will live a long and happy life. This is not the end of Lucille Ball.

I was wrong about everything. I died the next day after my aorta ruptured. But I am happy. Dying has let me become the Lucy I always wanted to be, and for that I am grateful.

What the press would say:

Stephen Daldry’s latest film Red Head studies 3 days in the life of Lucille Ball. We first see a young, naïve aspiring actress Lucille Ball as played by Olivia Thirlby. Second we see a sad, depressed Lucy in Debra Messing and finally we see a happy, dying Lucy is Debbie Reynolds. The film illustrates a portrait of everything Lucy was in a 3 day period.

Olivia Thirlby starts us off in 1937 with Lucy shooting the film Stage Door. She is young and full of hope for her career. Thirlby, who you may remember from Juno, shines as a young Ball. Her segment of the film sets the tone of a promising future, the start of something amazing. Her Lucy is full of promise and anticipation of her future in acting. Her supporting cast ties the segment together, especially on the part of Parker Posey who brilliantly portrays Katherine Hepburn.

Debra Messing takes us to 1960 and the collapse of her marriage to Desi Arnaz. This Lucy has past the prime of her career and she can sense it. This is also the end of Lucy Ricardo, whom Messing captures brilliantly. But when the episode stops filming she changes into a mess facing the end of her marriage. Javier Bardem is sensational as Desi Arnaz. The chemistry the two share as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo is uncanny and the cold silence they share off the screen is intense and real.

Finally, Debbie Reynolds takes us to 1989 and the end of Lucille Ball. This whole segment takes place in a hospital room with Reynolds and her husband portrayed by Burt Reynolds. These two bounce off of each other perfectly. This Lucy is once again full of promise for her second chance at life she thinks she will receive.

Overall, Daldry has captured the essence of Lucille Ball using unique camera angles and using his surroundings to add depth to his characters. David Hare’s screenplay couldn’t be any better. The crew, the cast, and everyone involved in Red Head have accomplished something great. They have captured the essence of one of the greatest women in the world. ****/****

FYC:
Best Picture
Best Director- Stephen Daldry
Best Actress- Debra Messing
Best Supporting Actress- Olivia Thirlby
Best Supporting Actress- Debbie Reynolds
Best Supporting Actor- Javier Bardem
Best Supporting Actor- Burt Reynolds
Best Original Screenplay- David Hare