Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, says 'Being the Ricardos' is 'freakin' amazing'

Most of us will likely never see our parents' lives depicted on the big screen, but if they were beloved 1950s sitcom icons Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, it sort of comes with the territory. 

So what does Palm Springs resident Lucie Arnaz have to say about "Being the Ricardos," the latest film from Aaron Sorkin starring Academy Award-winners Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as her parents? 

"I finally saw it," she said in a recent video uploaded to her Instagram account. After a few seconds-long pause, Arnaz said, "It’s freakin' amazing." She is listed as an executive producer on the film, along with her brother, Desi Arnaz Jr.

The film, written and directed by Sorkin, depicts a troubling week in the production of the popular sitcom "I Love Lucy" — on which the real-life couple played Lucy and Ricky Ricardo — as Ball and Arnaz face a series of personal and professional crises that threaten their show, careers and marriage. "Being the Ricardos" also stars J.K. Simmons, Nina Arianda, Tony Hale, Alia Shawcat and Jake Lacy.

Read more: Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill find family in Palm Springs

Arnaz praised the way Sorkin "captured the essence of that time" in her video, posted on Oct. 15 for National "I Love Lucy" Day, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the sitcom's debut.

"He captured the heart of my mother, my father, their relationship," the actress said. "He captured the love between those players in the 'I Love Lucy' show, the tension that was brought on in this particular week when all hell broke lose."

Arnaz was pleased with Kidman's portrayal of Ball, saying she "became my mother's soul" and that she "crawled into her head." She was also happy Kidman wasn't an exact look alike, adding, "I couldn't have taken it."

Though Arnaz admitted that Bardem doesn't look much like her father — "They have a different profile and body shape and stuff" — he had everything else that her father had.

"He has his wit, his charm, his dimples, his musicality, he has his strength and tenacity," the Palm Springs resident said. "You can tell from the performance that he just loved him, and that’s what you needed."

Overall, Arnaz thought everyone was "perfectly cast" and understands why people have jumped at the opportunity to work with Sorkin in the past.

"I gave it a thumbs up, so there," Arnaz said.

“Being the Ricardos” will be released in limited theaters on Friday and available to stream on Amazon Prime Video on Dec. 21.

This is not the only upcoming project that will focus on the television stars. A documentary, directed by actress Amy Poehler and executive produced by Ron Howard, will be an "amazingly deep and heartfelt full story of Lucy and Desi," Arnaz said. 

Arnaz produced the 1994 documentary "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie."

'Being the Ricardos' showtimes

Friday and Saturday

• Camelot Theaters (2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs): 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Mary Pickford is D'Place (36-850 Pickfair St., Cathedral City): 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 4:25 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Century Theatres at The River (71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage): 12:35 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 7:05 p.m. and 10:20 p.m.
• Palm Desert 10 Cinemas (72-840 Highway 111, Palm Desert): 11 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Sunday

• Camelot Theaters: 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Mary Pickford is D'Place: 1:15 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
• Century Theatres at The River: 12:35 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 7:05 p.m.
• Palm Desert 10 Cinemas: 11 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 8:15 p.m.

Note: Showtimes are according to Fandango

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.