LUCKY YOU

US, 2007, 124 minutes, Colour.
Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, Robert Duvall, Debra Messing, Jean Smart, Charles Martin Smith, Robert Downey Jr, Michael Shannon.
Directed by Curtis Hanson.

The first reason for wanting to see Lucky You is that it was directed by Curtis Hanson (whose LA Confidential is a classic but who also directed Bad Influence, The River Wild, 8 Mile and In Her Shoes). The next reason is wanting to see the versatile Eric Bana, as well as Drew Barrymore and Robert Duvall, who are always good value.

Now, whether they outweigh the subject of the film – Poker – is another matter. Probably avid poker players will not see Lucky You because they will be too busy and obsessively occupied with playing games or on line testing and training themselves. That leaves the rest of us who may or may not know anything about the rules of the game – except for keeping a poker face.

In fairness to the screenplay, there are a number of conversations, especially for the benefit of Drew Barrymore’s singer in Las Vegas, which offer some explanations of how it all works. And, if we are attentive to the many games we are shown, we do learn a few moves and acquire a knowledge of some of the terminology for play.

But, at 124 minutes, this is rather long, even for devotees.

However, the film is generally watchable. Eric Bana combines some niceness and a relentless, self-absorbed study of body language in opponents but has the opportunity to become a bit more human in his encounter with the sweet and somewhat naïve would-be singer from Bakersfield. Robert Duvall is Bana’s father and there is quite some tension between them.

We also see a lot of Las Vegas.

The screenplay speaks of skills and luck as well as mad bets, obsession and addiction. One of the main factors about this kind of gambling is the obscene amounts of money that so easily change hands, and frequently, which could do so much more good than support the extravagant life style of casino operators and the gamblers who are able to hold on to their money.

1.The audience for this film? Poker players? Poker fans? The emphasis on skills versus luck? Issues of gambling? The moral and social perspectives of gambling? Obsession and addiction?

2.The Las Vegas settings, the exteriors, the ordinary Las Vegas, the homes and streets, the golf course? The contrast with the lights, the fountains, the casinos? The interiors, the clubs, restaurants? The musical score, the lyrics about Huck? Bob Dylan and his song?

3.The title, applying to Huck (and his name of Huckleberry)? Luck and skills, risks?

4.The focus on Huck, Eric Bana’s presence and performance? The background story, learning poker from his father at the kitchen table with nickels and dimes? His mother, her leaving, her later forgiving his father? The ring, its history, being pawned, given back to Huck’s mother? His father giving it to him because it was his mother’s? Huck and his pawning it, wanting to redeem it later? His meetings with his father, unforgiving? His father calling him Kid? His father’s second marriage, in France? Huck in himself, his energy? His attempts to borrow money – especially from his friend, Telephone Jack and talking to the clients? Meeting Suzanne? Her understanding him? Meeting Billie? Borrowing, going to hear her sing, taking her to the meal, to the play, the night with her? The morning after and taking her money, the effect on her? The possibility of change or not?

5.The details of the poker games, the information through some of the dialogue, especially the discussions with Billie? The games themselves, the terminology, the various plays? The characters who played poker?

6.The technical advice, the range of actual poker players in the film, their advice? The way the games were filmed? Chico, Michelle, Jason, Ralph – the variety? Huck’s comment that poker was an equalising experience, everyone was equal at the table?

7.The popularity of poker worldwide, on-line, the tournaments, television programs and audiences able to see what cards the players had?

8.The introduction of the competition for the drama, the preparatory games, the tense game between Huck and the hostile player, the dealer and his shuffling and awkwardness, his mistake, Huck finally losing? His friendship with Roy Durucher? Durucher’s proposal that he play for him, the splitting of the profits? Huck’s refusal, having to go again to him, the bargain? Losing the money to his father, to the bet about the golf? The toughs coming and throwing him into the pool?

9.The bets, the man who didn’t want to touch the ground going across the floor, taking the bets? The month in the bathroom? The golf and the running to the course in three hours? Billie and the stopwatch? The issue of cheating – by two seconds?

10.Billie and Drew Barrymore: the Bakersfield background, her sister, coming to Las Vegas for the job, her ambition and dream, singing in the club, the celebration, watching Huck play, her attitude about winning and losing, that what was fair should happen? The night with Huck? The aftermath, his apology? Her throwing her cash on the ground to him? Change of heart, the breakfast, seeing father and son play at the breakfast? Helping him with the golf, not wanting to cheat, being hurt, walking away? Huck’s visit to Bakersfield to tell her the news? Her watching the finale? The final song, Huck coming to see her – a future together?

11.Suzanne, down-to-earth character, relationship with Billie, her advice, able to sum up Huck? Her pleasure that Billie had got through to Huck?

12.The portrait of Huck’s father, his life, relationship with his Isabel, his gambling career, leaving his first wife, his explaining that she had forgiven him, wanting forgiveness from his son? Winning two tournaments? His talk, explanation about risks? His wife’s ring, putting it on the table, wanting Huck to have it? The breakfast game, winning, the wise advice, the tournament, Huck letting him win, the aftermath, their final game? His going on the celebrity circuit?

13.Huck, his continued need for money, the humorous interchange with the pawnshop lady, her admiration and listening to him, his talented spiel? Going to Telephone Jack and trying to persuade him? The various games to win money, winning and losing? His reliance on skill? The audience seeing his cards, playing with him? The various bets, desperation, with Durucher? His listening to Billie, his confronting the antagonistic player to get a place in the game, the old dealer and his making the mistake? His greater caution, letting his father win, his father talking about his time coming? The irony of his father losing? His skill in body language and understanding?

14.Gambling, the issue of high stakes, the obscene amount of money? Gambling as a pastime, risk, recklessness, obsession, addiction?

15.Gambling with a light touch? The fascination of gambling and poker? The film acting the dimension of redemption and love?