Lucky Girl

First of all, let me just say that if you are a fan of Elisha Cuthbert, like I am, then "Lucky Girl" is a must-see movie. Although I have not seen a whole lot of her work ("Mail to the Chief" and "24") I cannot imagine it getting any better than this. However, even if this movie had not been blessed with her presence, it would still be a very fine piece of work. Because it is a Canadian made-for-tv movie, I did not expect anything special, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is very well put together and the acting is top-notch. Cuthbert won the 2001 Gemini (Canadian television awards) for best actress in a dramatic program or mini-series and Sherry Miller, who plays her mother, won the Gemini for best supporting actress. The movie premiered in Canada on 4/8/01 on CTV and 'lucky' for those of us in the US, it was picked up by Lifetime, who changed the title to "My Daughter's Secret Life." But whatever it is called, do yourself a favor and see this movie.

I happened to watch this TV movie when I surfed my cable TV and I saw Elisha Cuthbert starred the screen.As I recognized her from Popular Mechanics series,I decided to watch the movie.It was one of the righteous moves I had ever made in term of watching movies.The quality surpasses some of the dramas produced in Tinseltown.The plot is though simple,but the mood and feel will haunt you right into your mind.Being a girl who was addicted to gambling and gone spiraling downwards,Elisha has proved to me that she is a great actress and worth to be given credits.The supporting casts are just amazing and credible,it seems that they lived just next door of your home for some reason.The ending is just captivating in my opinion,it is just.Sadly,I have only seen it once and would like to have a copy of the movie.A haunting movie that was beautifully made.Being in my list of THE movie to watch before you die.Two words,brilliant,wonderful 10.5/10

Some aspects of this reminded me of the film "21", but this is very much its own story. Of course, I have to admit watching Elisha in this production was its own entertainment, but beyond that this was a reasonably realistic look at the dark side of gambling among highschool kids in the proverbial affluent neighborhood . . . an all too real dilemma that many have faced in real life.

For some, at least, gambling really is an addiction, just as powerful as any drug. I've never been afflicted with it myself, so for quite some time I had difficulty understanding or believing this. But then I saw this happening, witnessed first hand how compelling the grip of this addiction really can be.

Given that background, I could actually watch this production and had no trouble at all believing the story and characters portrayed. For an obscure made for TV Canadian film, this was surprisingly well done.

Other gambling themed films have mostly been over the top, absurdly over done portrayals of this life, but Lucky Girl was pretty much spot on, perhaps the best yet bringing this concept to life. Of course, I'm not going to hint at how this ends, but it's not what most viewers would probably expect, it's a bit closer to actual reality.

Sometimes the best dramas with a message get hidden away in obscurity, this may be just such an example. I can be good with 8 stars.

Katlin Palmerston (Elisha Cuthbert) is a math-whiz high school student from a middle class home. She starts gambling to save up for an European trip with best friend Cheryl. She takes money from the girls at poker and the boys with football. She even sets up her own betting pool. With a run of bad luck and bad bets, she is in deep trouble. Popular girl Janice's sketchy brother Ron Lunderman sets up a poker game. Katlin wins big and starts dating Ron. The computer gambling continues and everything spirals out of control. She borrows from the wrong couple and they have a creepy way to settle the debt. Her mother (Sherry Miller) rides to the rescue.

This is very much a lesson-filled movie of the week. It's basic and overtly dramatic. There is an inevitability to the plot. Elisha Cuthbert is what shines in this movie. She shows her beauty and her charisma. She's also young enough and pretty close to the 17 year old character. It helps to make it more real and visceral. The last act is quite creepy and unforgettable. It would help to have more original twists but this is strictly a "very special episode" of whatever teen soap.

This movie proves an old and wasted theory. A good cast promises a great movie. Hollywood always tries to do such thing like in Ocean's Eleven. Put every actor in it and you have a 100 million dollar movie. Lets put Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts (The Mexican) in a flick and its guaranteed. Well, both of those movies are not good, they are what I like to call COMMERCIAL MOVIES. The Lucky Girl was shot in Canada with low budget for T.V . It has an amazing cast that don't need to say cheasy lines to get a reaction. Their non - verbal communication, (faces and gestures they make) is breathtaking. You can sense the desperation Elisha Cutbeth feels, is is IS........SO GOOD! It truly was a wonderful experience that made me stay up till 4 in the morning.

It's good to see a T.V movie that has plot and great GREAT GREAT ACTING_!