Lucky Girl

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.

i watched this programme from start to finish i think its good acting but the plot line is quite scary actually at the end it was scary when katlin couldn't pay the money . what they did to katlin was scary and it's not like other movies/programmes.

the acting was good so i give it a 10

Title says it all. Watching gambling films for inspiration. Not bad movie. Recommend Mississippi Grind and Cincinnati Kid but this does show the compulsive nature of gamblers and casting oddly makes the story more believable. Worth the watch.

I just saw this movie yesterday and I've been wanting to see it for a long time now. I didn't have any high expectations since lots of made-for-tv movies are lame, but this movie was really good. The story line was great and extremely dark. The most brilliant part is the acting. Elisha Cuthbert is simply amazing in this movie. I haven't seen her on anything else than '24' where she also does a great job, but she is so fantastic in this movie. Also the other actors and actresses are doing a really excellent job. I've never heard anything about teenagers gambling and this movie left me thinking if this really exist and how horrible it is. The scene in the end with Blair, his wife and Katlin is so dark and deep and it's so well performed by Elisha. If one of your tv-channels are showing this movie then it's a must see. I'll give it a 9,5 out of 10...