Lucy Schulman [Tribeca Festival Review]

by Mike McGranaghan

If you don’t find Lucy Schulman charming, you might be incapable of being charmed. Writer/director Ellie Sachs’ rom-com, which screened in the U.S. Narrative Competition section of the 2026 Tribeca Festival, is funny because it’s so relatable. Anyone who struggled to figure out their identity in their early twenties will identify with the protagonist’s plight.

Bookstore employee Lucy (played by Sachs) goes through a painful breakup after discovering her boyfriend Nikhil (Hasan Minhaj) has been sexting with another woman. Distraught, she moves in with her single father Peter (David Cross), with whom she has a codependent relationship. Much to the dismay of best friend Eden (Annabelle Attanasio), Lucy immediately begins another relationship with James (Thomas Mann). He’s a nice enough guy but she begins making bad choices for herself in an effort to be devoted to him.

At one point, Eden compares Lucy to a barnacle due to how she clings onto men. Through sharp observational humor, Lucy Schulman shows us how the title character explores that idea within herself. Sachs’ screenplay sets up an interesting conundrum, namely that James is a good, healthy man but her way of pursuing their relationship may not be as good or as healthy. Sweet chemistry between Sachs and Mann allows that to develop meaningfully.

Running parallel is the bond between Lucy and Peter – a bond that absolutely impacts her expectations for a romantic partner. Cross is hilarious as the doting dad who wants to solve all his daughter’s problems and therefore sets up unrealistic standards for her. The Lucy/James and Lucy/Peter relationships reflect upon one another, allowing for insight into how our bonds with our parents shape who/what we look for in a soul mate.

You can easily guess the arc Lucy Schulman takes, although that in no way detracts from its pleasures. In fact, it adds to them. This young woman, confused though she may be, is irresistibly likeable and you root for her to figure out how to find happiness on her own terms. Ellie Sachs has made a wonderful movie about the personal journey so many need to take as single adults.

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