Lucy and the Lake Monster
| Lucy and the Lake Monster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Richard Rossi |
| Written by | Richard Rossi Kelly Tabor |
| Starring | Emma Pearson Richard Rossi Kelly Tabor |
| Cinematography | Daniel Burke |
| Edited by | Colin Tracy Richard Rossi |
| Music by | Joe Rossi Richard Rossi |
| Distributed by | Amazon[1] Plex[2] Freevee Roku Apple TV |
Release date |
|
Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
Lucy and the Lake Monster is a 2024 American family drama film written and directed by Richard Rossi, and co-written by Kelly Tabor. Emma Pearson stars as nine-year-old orphan Lucy Lago, Richard Rossi as her grandfather Papa Jerry, and Kelly Tabor as Lucy's teacher, Miss Marino.
Background
[edit]
In 2022, media reported that the feature film, Lucy and the Lake Monster, was in the works about a young orphan girl and her grandfather looking for the lake monster Champ, the film being based on a children's novel with the same title, loosely inspired by co-writer Kelly Tabor's childhood memories exploring Lake Champlain. WCAX-TV reported the book and film are the first in a series.[3][4][5][6][7]
Plot
[edit]Lucy and the Lake Monster follows the journey of a young girl named Lucy and her grandfather, Papa Jerry, as they search for the creature known as Champ, rumored to inhabit Lake Champlain. After the loss of her mother, Lucy grapples with her grief and the skepticism of her peers, particularly a bully named Butch who makes fun of her belief in Champ.
Papa Jerry, who is supportive of Lucy, often shares comforting words about faith, love, and the importance of believing in the unseen, drawing parallels between their search for Champ and their personal journey through loss. He instills in Lucy the notion that evidence of belief isn't always tangible, and this sense of trust not only brings them closer but also helps Lucy honor her mother's memory.
The story combines elements of adventure and fantasy, showcasing Lucy's determination to locate Champ, using her imagination and her and Papa's musical talent as a means to attract the creature. Throughout her adventure, Lucy faces bullying and skepticism from her peers, and opposition from an evil couple, Beezel Beemish and Mercenary Mike, but she finds strength in the love of her Papa and the guidance of her school teacher, Miss Marino.
As the narrative unfolds, Lucy and her grandfather undertake quests on the lake. Their shared experiences come full circle during a climactic moment when they finally spot Champ, leading to revelations about belief, love, and connection.
The film culminates in a mayoral ceremony where Lucy receives recognition for her efforts and the unique bond she shares with her grandfather, as well as a validation of her hope and dreams.
Cast
[edit]- Emma Pearson as Lucy[8]
- Richard Rossi as Papa Jerry[9]
- Kelly Tabor as Miss Marino[10]
- D.G. Peltan as Mercenary Mike
- Lori Francisco-McVicar as Beezel Beemish
Production and Reception
[edit]The production filmed in Port Henry, New York[11] and in various locations around Lake Champlain's Bulwagga Bay in July and August, 2022.[12][13] Newspapers in the Lake Champlain region reported the film finished in 2024, and premiered in the Lake Champlain region in September, 2024.[14] As of 2025, the film has garnered multiple awards on the film festival circuit and is streaming on Amazon and Plex.[15][16][17]
Alleged Evidence for Champ Legend
[edit]
During post-production of the film, the filmmakers reviewed their drone footage from production on August 2, 2024, and noticed what appeared to be a large creature swimming just below the surface of the water in Bulwagga Bay. The alleged creature is visible in the bottom right portion of the screen, swimming behind a boat on which the two lead actors of the film were aboard.[18] The boat was 142 inches from the tip of the bow to the stern and 50.5 inches at the widest point, and the alleged creature appears to be larger than the boat.
One of the co-writers, Kelly Tabor, believes it to be a foundational piece of evidence for Champ. The second co-writer and director of the film, Richard Rossi, said that he shared the footage with scientists.[19] A ten-second clip from the longer five minute footage was shared publicly on YouTube.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ ""Lucy and the Lake Monster" now livestreaming on Amazon Prime". Denton Publications. Sun Community News. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ McKinstry, Lohr (2 May 2025). "Port Henry based Champ movie hits Amazon Prime Video". Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. Press Republican. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ O'Brien, Kelly (April 16, 2022). "Champ gets new movie and book series". CBS. WCAX. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ "Champ to get top billing in 'Lucy and the Lake Monster' film". Adirondack Almanack. March 7, 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ Jones, Tammy (May 26, 2023). "Meet the Authors of Lucy and the Lake Monster". WSPA "Your Carolina". CBS. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ O'Brien, Kelly (April 16, 2022). "Champ to star in new book and film series". WCAX-TV. CBS. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ Limon, Janice (June 12, 2023). "Former South Carolina teacher's book to become movie". NBC. WYFF-TV, Channel 4. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ Riddle, Lyn (April 27, 2025). "SC teacher's book becoming a movie that will be on Netflix. Here are the details". The McClatchy Company. The State. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Savage, Leigh (October 23, 2023). "Two new books by Upstate writers". Community Journals, LLC. Greenville Journal. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ McKinstry, Lohr (2 May 2025). "Port Henry based Champ movie hits Amazon Prime Video". No. Front Page. Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. Press Republican. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ "Virtual showing of the film, Lucy & the Lake Monster, through December". Adirondack Almanack. December 19–26, 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ McKinstry, Lohr (July 14, 2022). ""Lucy and the Lake Monster" films in Port Henry". Yahoo News. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ O'Brien, Kelly (July 19, 2022). "'Champ' movie starts filming in Port Henry's Bulwagga Bay". CBS. WCAX. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ Bartlett Yaw, Shaundra (September 9, 2024). "Highlights from Lucy & the Lake Monster's world premiere". Denton Publications, Inc. Sun Community News. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ ""Lucy and the Lake Monster" now livestreaming on Amazon Prime: Watch the locally produced film for free on Prime and Plex". Denton Publications, Inc. Sun Community News. April 29, 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Hyde, Paul (March 20, 2025). "Reedy Reels Film Festival celebrates 10th anniversary with 60 films". Community Journals Media Group. Greenville Journal newspaper. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Burnquist, Margaret (March 27, 2025). "Lucy and the Lake Monster to screen at Reedy Reels". FOX Carolina. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ McKinstry, Lohr (December 18, 2024). "Champ film streaming premiere surfaces". Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. Press-Republican. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Riddle, Lyn (14 August 2024). "SC filmmaker surprised by lake footage where a sea monster is alleged to live". McClatchy Company. The State. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ Bartlett Yaw, Shaundra (12 August 2024). "Champ movie to hold world premiere: Potential footage of plesiosaur surfaced in post-production". Sun Community News. Retrieved 12 August 2024.