Lucy in the sky with her 10%

Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) is in the sky with no diamonds

I usually never read into the hype of any film before viewing it to avoid potential spoilers, however now that I have watched Lucy I feel I can sufficiently contribute my two cents.  Walking into the theater I kept in mind only enough chatter to keep me aware of its problematic racial connotations.  Though I am from the Asian continent I am not of Asian lineage, and cannot – with full confidence – speak on behalf of anyone that identifies as Asian.  So this review is not so much about the construction and deconstruction of racism within the film of Lucy, but rather my minute perspective on what was evoked by what I saw. 

To have female leads in popular films – films that get wide distributions – can be marred by the lack of true female representation.  Often times with popular films that have female leads the whiteness of the skin becomes embodied in the women who morph into vehicles – plot devices – for white male filmmakers.  It is done so – in my opinion, to solicit excitement, to be edgy without trying too hard.   Action films like these always carry pellucid images of villains and heroes, which can run the risk of creating a flat story that perpetuates stereotypes. 

The loss of humanity in Lucy makes her a one dimensional character with very little complexities.  The lack of emotions makes the film rather boring despite Scarlett Johansson doing the best with what she was given.  The only time the film tried to have a heart was during a phone call Lucy makes to her mother while she’s having surgery to remove the punctured bag containing the drugs.  Even that scene was emotionally empty.  I was unable to connect to the plight of Lucy if even her mother sounded disinterested.  The film tries to do too much at once; posing numerous existential questions that in the end never get answered.  By the films conclusion I left the theater wondering, “So what was the point?”  and how accurate is the science of Lucy? 

In my own minor research of other critiques of Lucy I found one consistent phrase: white feminism – a kind of feminism that excludes women of color to focus on issues that pertain to white women.  The controversy surrounding this phrase is valid, and those critiquing the film have the merit to point it out.  However, the problem with this notion is that despite the groups of white feminists applauding a film with a “strong female protagonist” while ignoring the films racist undertones, it was not white feminists that wrote and directed the film.  Luc Besson – the director and writer – is a white Parisian man in his 50’s.   It is his vision we are seeing on screen, and he writes what he knows, and what he knows to be a “strong female character” is not inclusive to any people of color.  White feminists who are excited over a female lead in Lucy have their elation marred by a skewed vision of themselves through the lens of male – often times white – writers.  I don’t consider the film Lucy to be a feminist film or a progressive film in the right direction. 

Besson and other white, male writers will never be able to accurately portray any minority groups, and while I definitely encourage fellow critics to continue the discussion on racism within films, I want to remind myself and you of a quote from Toni Morrison, “If there is a book you want to read, but hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”  In the case of filmmaking the same principle can be applied.  We cannot, as different groups of minorities and nationalities, expect to have our experiences be represented in film when the final products are written and created by the dominant group whose experiences are of the more privileged nature.  The best way to counter these xenophobic films is to use the same art form to make movies that represent you.  Write books, comic books, paint art that gives a voice to your experiences because unfortunately racism, sexism, homophobia and all other repressive structures will continue to exist no matter how hard you argue or point your fingers.  Lucy is only one example of many problematic things in pop culture.  You can still go see it and enjoy it as a film patron, but always remember that movies are not just pure entertainment; they are a reflection of society.