Director Curtis Hansen who helmed the legendary L.A. Confidential (as well as 8-Mile and In Her Shoes among others) has attempted the impossible with Lucky You: A romantic comedy revolving around Poker. The verdict: Infinitely disastrous.

LUCKY YOU
Directed By: Curtis Hanson
Starring: Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, Debra Messing, Robert Duvall, Robert Downey, Jr.
Releasing: May 4, 2007
Rating: PG-13
Running time: 124 minutes

Huck (Eric Bana) has two tremendous abilities that help shape his meaningless living day by day existence residing in none other than Sin City itself. He is great at reading people when it comes to Poker playing and is ever better at letting his compulsive behavior get the best of him. Therefore, he wins a lot and loses even more. But kudos to the guy for his persistence and consistency because when it comes to obtaining money when he’s frequently dead broke, he does just about anything including swindling young ladies for their cash, stealing from his own friends, and running silly impossible bet marathons when sunk rock bottom of the gomer pile. To top off the unfortunate situation, Huck lives under the shadow of his father L.C. (Robert Duvall) whom he resents due to his disagreeable upbringing and the fact L.C. is a two time Poker World Champion. But then he meets Billie (Drew Barrymore), a carefree young lady new to town with the ambition to be a singer in combination with possessing very little relevance to the rest of this film. “And that’s all I got to say about that.” –Forrest Gump-

This movie succeeded on one level, the card playing aspect. Anyone with a keen interest in the dynamics including people reading will most likely enjoy this film. All others, sit this one out. There are better card movies (Rounders among my many favorites) available but this one would rank as safely decent. It failed on the other level however, the romantic aspect. It was almost as if Drew Barrymore was cast here just to sell the movie better by appealing to the female audience. If that’s the case I have no idea why the studio kept this one in the works for two years only to release it along side of Spidey 3! Simply astounding.

That leads next to the chemistry, an important feature to any romantic comedy, but the chemistry between Barrymore and Bana is virtually non-existent. The fact that Huck is a full-time professional liar who cheats and steals from anyone polite enough to offer him a dime, and Billie knows all this yet still comes roaming about interested in second chances, then third then forth, etc; is just plain silly to the infinite degree. Anyone going to see this movie merely based on a Drew Barrymore fanbase or to enjoy the “romantic comedy aspect” deceivingly shown in the trailer will be thoroughly disappointed. Add anyone who could care less or doesn’t know anything about the game of Texas Hold’Em or even cards for that matter to the disappointed list. This movie would have been a lot better had Hansen scrapped the lovey dovey nonsense and focused more on the core of Poker playing while also improving the weak character development.

Two noteworthy aspects to mention would be Robert Downey Jr.’s cameo, which was rather humorous, and the insanely cool first ten minute intro scene in a pawn shop set in motion by Bana’s witty dialogue. Unfortunately the consistency of coolness declines after the opening credit sequence.

A flop is inevitable, and I’m not referring to the first three cards dealt in Texas Hold’Em.

2 / 5 for poker aspect alone!

Official Movie Site: luckymovie.warnerbros.com