Hard Luck (Video 2006)

Two converging story lines involving corrupt cops ripping off drug dealers and serial killers are followed as former drug dealer Lucky, trying to go straight after doing a prison stint, ... See full summary »

Director:

Mario Van Peebles

Writers:

Larry Brand (screenplay), Mario Van Peebles (screenplay),

Stars:

Wesley Snipes, Jackie Quinones, Cybill Shepherd

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Wesley Snipes	...	Lucky
Jackie Quinones	...	Angela (as Jacquelyn Quinones)
Cybill Shepherd	...	Cass
James Hiroyuki Liao	...	Chang (as James Liao)
Aubrey Dollar	...	Rainn
Kevin Thoms	...	Roland
Adrian Washington	...	Lucky
Noah Fleiss	...	Sol Rosenbaum
Bill Cobbs	...	Cobb
Kevin Chapman	...	Franklin
Tom Kemp	...	Gino Gambetta
Mike Messier	...	Eugene
Mario Van Peebles	...	Captain Davis
Tony Hua	...	Detective Lee
Luis Guzmán	...	Million Dollar Mendez

Storyline

Two converging story lines involving corrupt cops ripping off drug dealers and serial killers are followed as former drug dealer Lucky, trying to go straight after doing a prison stint, gets entangled within by a series of bad breaks. Shepherd plays a sadistic and vindictive mother of a handicapped son who along with her young kung-fu kicking boyfriend, abducts and tortures people who she feels scorn her son. Lucky, caught up in a shootout between dealers and cops, grabs two briefcases with $500,000 and goes on the run and has the hard luck of happening upon the serial killer's cabin.

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Plot Keywords:

serial killer | shootout | pistol | gunfight | tough guy | 

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Taglines:

If it wasn't for bad luck, there would be no luck...

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence including some aberrant situations, sexual content/nudity and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

El intermediario

Filming Locations:

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

References Dr. Phil (2002)

User Reviews

"Hard Luck" has a "Pulp Fiction" narrative

This Mario Van Peebles and Larry Brand penned movie is a unique blend of two genre films, the "gangsta" and "psycho-on-the-loose."

There is also a wink that the director (Peebles) takes at the old 'screwball comedies' where a couple usually gets involved in a situation that neither wanted to be in from the beginning. And of course part of that scenario has a 'Bonnie and Clyde' overtone as the couple (Snipes and Jackie Quinones) try and stay one step ahead of both the law and gangsters that were 'short changed' by Snipes in the beginning of the film.

There is a little bit of 'political statement' at the very beginning of the movie that doesn't take away from the crux of 'Hard Luck.' For some reason Peebles wanted a 'current event' added to a film that did not warrant it. Over time the scene in question will only date the film.

Not wanting to spoil it for anybody, but lets just say Peebles has assembled a great cast -- some known faces and some relatively new ones -- and puts them to good use. While the material is sort of a 'walk in the park' for Snipes, you will be surprised by some of Peebles' unique choices at casting. Hint: be prepared to see Cybil Shepard in a new light! ;-D