Eric Bana stands out in this mediocre-to-good film about a compulsive gambler with a father complex. The film works best during the poker sequences (to non-aficionados of the game), when Bana's eye for detail and the psychology of other players is nicely portrayed. The film falls flat with Drew Barrymore's character - far too sugary-sweet, way too much of a contrast with the thieving, manipulative gambler. Plus, the big sister is hotter, he should be with her. I couldn't take Barymore's redeeming angel role seriously. Robert Duvall turns up in a cringe- inducing wig, but at least they make a joke out of the wig to get that moment out the way and let him put in a convincing performance. And the resolution of the father-son conflict is nicely done if a tad formulaic. All in all not a bad way to kill some time but looks pretty tame if you have seen the Matt Damon Ed Norton film Rounders, on a similar theme.
Review of Lucky You
