Lucky You
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Movie Reviews of Lucky You
Movie Review: Flawed but Surprisingly Entertaining...
Summary: 4 Stars
If you aren't a fan of high-stakes poker, or the gambling lifestyle, in general, Curtis Hanson's "Lucky You" may seem a 'bad bet', particularly as a romantic vehicle for Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore; but if you enjoy the rush of the game, and the Vegas lifestyle, circa 2003, this one is a keeper!
While the film lacks the intensity of "The Cincinnati Kid", "The Gambler", or "The Rounders", or loopy reality of "California Split", I'd still rank it among the better films about gambling, simply because of Hanson's non-apologetic approach to the subject, and respect for the practitioners (with many real-life gamblers appearing in the various match-ups). As the estranged son of a poker legend (Robert Duvall, who is, as always, superb), Eric Bana is quite convincing as a gifted, if headstrong gambler, for whom money, anyone's money, is simply a tool to ply his trade. He has a code of ethics, but ultimately, being in the game is the most important thing in his life, which puts him into romantic jeopardy when he (unconvincingly) falls for innocent aspiring singer Drew Barrymore. Needless to say, he learns that life isn't only about the next pot, but his moments with her are the least believable aspect of the film.
On the plus side, poker, Vegas-style, is portrayed lovingly, with quirky characters, venues unique to themselves, and an adrenaline rush that never ends. It isn't the glamorous 'Never Never Land' of TV's "Vegas", but a continuing stage for fortunes to be won and lost, and won, again, where novice gamblers fuel the cashflow for seasoned pros. Hanson 'scores' here, and as a Vegas resident, I can honestly say he captures the city's spirit, perfectly!
The Special Features of the DVD are quite wonderful, with insights by professional poker players, and an understandable explanation of the vagaries of poker ("The best hand doesn't always win, it's how the hand is played").
All-in-all, "Lucky You" doesn't deliver a big jackpot, but is certainly a winning hand!
Movie Review: Not what you think
Summary: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this movie. Once I was aware that this film wasn't a 'chick flick' I went to see it with an open mind and found it quite fascinating. I'm not much of a card player, never mind do I know very much about gambling or poker, but, I really think if you think of the gambing or card playing as another character, the dark side of Bana's character, if you will, you could enjoy this movie for what it was meant. Simply, as a struggle for a man with his inner demons. I do agree with some of the other reviewers, that too much emphasis was placed on Huck's obsession with his father and gambling, some of this could very well have been edited out as redundance and would have made the movie move along faster and much less frustrating, which would have, I'm certain, made the reviews much improved. However, this being said, I did enjoy the movie and the acting was fabulous. If we try to learn something new every day, I learned about gambling and casino's, if nothing else. I'm so far away from anything of this sort that I couldn't even begin to imagine a life such as this. A new thing learned and a movie enjoyed, all because I watched it with an open mind. Others should do as well.Movie Review: Even Non-Poker Fans Might Like This
Summary: 4 Stars
As far as playing or watching poker on television, I can take it or leave it, but I enjoyed this moive.... so I'm sure poker fans will really LOVE this film. It gives justice to their "sport" with realistic hands, playing, situations and attitudes.
Often, I thought something hokey was going to happen, something predictable but rarely did that occur in this film. You really never knew what was going to happen and suspense builds for a number of gambling scenes. I hesitate to say more for fear of spoiling anything. Suffice to say, the gambling scenes in here were very realistic. I know what from the behind-the-scenes bonus features in which a number of real-life professional players commented on that fact.
The film follows a father-and-son team (Eric Bana and Robert Duvall playing "Huck" and "L.C. Cheever") with a small romance sub-plot involving Drew Barrymore. It isn't just all about poker, although that's most of it - culminating in the World Series of Poker - but about the mentality of people who make gambling their life.
This movie will mainly attract card players, I'm afraid, and that's too bad because it offers a lot more than that..
Movie Review: Unlucky Movie Sitting on My Shelf
Summary: 4 Stars
If you are immersed in the world of poker and find all of the sport to be interesting, including unpredictability, bad beats, disappointing sessions, and volatile swings in bankroll, you might like this movie. If you are not too much into poker, this movie is somewhat of a special interest title and I don't think you will enjoy it very much. Also, if you are interested in Las Vegas and its culture, you might like this movie. The soundtrack has the feel of the old Las Vegas when most wore boots and cowboy hats. The most entertaining poker movie is probably Rounders, but if you are a true fan of the game, this movie has a place in your DVD collection.Movie Review: CURTIS HANSON, OPUS 12
Summary: 4 Stars
***1/2 2007. Co-written and directed by Curtis Hanson. Eric Bana plays his father Robert Duvall in poker tournaments in Las Vegas. Good father/son relations movie.