Lucky (III) (2011)

A wannabe serial killer wins the lottery and pursues his lifelong crush.

Director:

Gil Cates Jr.

Writer:

Kent Sublette (screenplay)

Stars:

Colin Hanks, Ann-Margret, Jeffrey Tambor

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Hanks	...	Ben Keller
Ann-Margret	...	Pauline Keller
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Detective Harold Waylon
Adam Harrington	...	Steve Mason (as Adam J. Harrington)
Mimi Rogers	...	Ms. Brand
Allison Mackie	...	Grace
Tom Amandes	...	Jonathan
Michelle Davidson	...	Leslie Singer
Olivia Sather	...	Shannon
Eric Kirchberger	...	Sunny Mart Clerk
Heather Marie Marsden	...	Allison
Bryan McClure	...	Sandwich Guy
Bennett Wright	...	8 year old Ben
Lena Noel Krussel	...	8 year old Lucy (as Lena Krussel)
Thom Sibbitt	...	Mechanic

Storyline

A wannabe serial killer wins the lottery and pursues his lifelong crush.

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Plot Keywords:

one word title

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Taglines:

Even a serial killer can win the lottery

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some violence and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tetemes összeg

Filming Locations:

Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ten/Four Pictures, Tax Credit Finance, Mirabelle Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Hawaii restaurant and jungle in the movie is Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo's indoor Lied Jungle exhibit.

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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.26 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Crazy"
Written by Scott Russo
Performed by Aimee Allen
Executive Producer Beth Hohlier
Courtesy of Side Tracked Records

User Reviews

Skillful and Innovative Independent Film

I'm stunned by the reviews this film received. It makes me wonder what audiences are looking for. Giant robot cars, maybe? Stereo-typical heroes and bad guys (with capes!)? This is an independent film and the reviews read like they were written by a church group. This film is innovative and clever and extraordinarily well written. Sublette and Cates' work here deserves better reviews than these. I feel bad that they have to be subjected to this type of unenlightened ridicule for such a wonderful film. I suspect that the film just didn't get a chance to find its audience (which is not the Bridesmaids/Hangover crowd). Lucky is a different type of romantic comedy that successfully takes brave risks and they all pay off. On to specifics:

The screenplay was an extraordinary piece of writing. I won't give anything away, because if you like quirky independent film, you should see this movie. But, some of the scenes were beautifully nuanced. In particular, the final scene, which was an extremely difficult scene to pull off. Sublette manages to make it work. The pacing, editing, and direction are all as good as it gets. And the way the screenplay subtly builds these characters so that we believe their relationship (as bizarre as it may be) is masterful.

The acting is superlative. Hanks and Ari Graynor are ideally cast as nebbish serial killer and quirky love interest, and their performances are exquisite. I was amazed at their work in this film. The emotionality of the scenes required refined acting chops and they delivered.

I'd kill to work with any one of these creative talents and think they should be lauded for this film.