Perhaps the greatest challenge to appreciate a film such as Lucy lies in the ability to comprehend what it is trying to convey. Before progressing any further, let us get one thing clear, and that is the premise that the film is based upon, one that the average human uses 10 percent of the brain, has now been proven to be fallacious. However, overlooking this fallacy and believing that 90 percent of the human mind isn’t being used, would certainly be a good starting point for understanding this directorial venture by Luc Besson much better.
Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) is caught in a drug smuggling operation and is forced to carry a synthetic substance concealed within her body. However, accidentally, the substance leaks into her blood stream causing psychological changes to occur. It enhances Lucy’s ability to use more and more of her mind, progressing slowly to 100 percent. The film looks at how this changes Lucy’s behavior and capabilities. As she starts developing extraordinary powers, Lucy thinks it appropriate to get in touch with neuroscientist Professor Norman (Morgan Freeman). His research deals with the study of the human mind and dwells into the ramifications in a scenario wherein a human being utilizes more of the mind than is currently used.
The film progresses at a brisk pace and you need to pay full attention to make any sense of it whatsoever. Having said that, even if you watch the film with rapt attention, it still isn’t a surety that you will be able to grasp all of it. Lucy will instantly appeal to you if merely watching the sci-fi shenanigans on-screen suffice for you to endorse a film. However, if you are inclined to go beyond the surface to understand the subtle message that the film is trying to convey then you have a lot to look forward to. Indeed there are a lot of scientific and philosophical discussions that the audience can partake in once the film is over. If possible, you should try to explore the endless possibilities that Lucy presents as it indulges in a topic that is so often talked about in scientific and philosophical circles.
Scarlett Johansson is thoroughly believable as Lucy and successfully carries off scenes that require a great deal of acting finesse to look convincing. Morgan Freeman and the rest of the supporting cast play their roles with authority. It is very easy to mock a film like Lucy, primarily because of the fact that it just seems too far-fetched. However, as filmmakers, it is a challenge to go beyond the obvious and bring to screen ideas that may not necessarily be ideal to portray. Kudos to Luc Besson for having attempted to tread on that path.
What do you think?