Director-writer-producer Laura Longsworth's documentary feature "LUCKEY" 2008 is an inspiring piece affirming the vitality of family sustenance and not giving up one's creative dreams, against all odds. It was most generous of the Luckey family to let the camera capture their daily lives, ups and downs notwithstanding. Tom Luckey the principal of the family and Luckey Climbers projects (accident rendered quadriplegic at 65), Ettie Luckey the backbone & nurturing support to Tom, with Kit and Walker (their daughter and son respectively), Spencer Luckey (architect by trade at 35) the 'detached' son from Tom's first marriage and hopeful to reconnect with father through collaboration opportunities.
Towards the beginning of the film, it's refreshingly encouraging to have glimpses of the children climber in progress for the Boston Children Museum's expansion refresh project - it's Tom Luckey's creative idea at work, with the assistance of Spencer, since Tom's in a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic condition. We hear from each of the three featured Luckey family members: Tom, Ettie and Spencer, with privy insights to historical family video excerpts. Longsworth provides no bias viewpoint but let the camera roll and naturally capture the various family situations at hand. What father and son would not have arguments or differences in opinions? What wife would not prefer marriage partner bliss vs. a constant caretaker role? What couple would not relish and enjoy vacationing merriment on a cruise (however 'banal' that idea might seem)? What son would not reminisce boyhood days and yearn for fatherly reconnection after a long-absence?
We are led by the cinematographers and editor, having segments of watching and listening to the Luckey family members talk about their feelings, reactions to course of events within the span of a year. It is heartening, heartwarming, at times heart-wrenching, sprinkled with humor, smiles, laughter and chokes. Most exhilarating, of course, is being able to experience with Tom, and Spencer, the opening of the Boston Children Museum's new three-story-tall climbable sculpture to the public: the exciting joyous reaction of little kids going directly to the climber and dauntlessly going higher and higher up with amazement, while parents looking up from ground level. The expression of awe on Tom's face (marveling from his wheelchair) and the connecting moments father and son shared was indescribable joy, indeed. Strife and struggles happen in all families. Keeping faith and dreams alive may not be easy tasks. Hope and creativity prevail and may Luckey and Luckey Climbers continues strong.
Thank you to Laura Longsworth & Green Room Productions, Sundance Channel (repeat airing), for the opportunity of the LUCKEY experience. May more viewers and screenings appreciate this Luckey endeavor. Official site is available at "luckeythefilm.com" where more background interviews with the filmmakers and press articles are accessible in the News & Information section.
