If you look beyond Bullock’s charisma, who is Lucy? Nice, helpful, sensitive. Is she observant? She notices that Peter gives up his seat on the train, but she also fails to notice that Peter is a schmuck. She has few friends — a work colleague only — yet she can immediately connect with Peter’s family and be liked by them. She’s very lonely.
I’m pointing toward Heart Type. Feelings drive her, even to rescuing a stranger on the train tracks and following him to the emergency room to make sure he’s okay. Anyone can be lonely, but a Head Type would’ve probably extricated herself before the confusion went too far. A Heart Type is, frankly, more careful about hurting others’ feelings, which is how Lucy ends up in a pickle. It’s really a great gimmick and a very fun, rewatchable movie.
Sentimental objects (the golden world lamp, the Florence snow globe) and bottled-up dreams . . . Two. Their giving impulse keeps them from treating themselves sometimes. Lucy is so very kind — working the Christmas shift, allowing Joe Junior in her closet, partnering up with Saul — even seeing good in Peter after getting to know how shallow he is. Her generosity is basically the movie’s antagonist: all the conflict comes from her behavior. They’re good instincts, though, which makes this a lovely Christmas film.