The Luckiest Man in America

"The Luckiest Man In America" is the true 1984 tale of Michael Larson (Paul Walter Hauser - strong again) who blagged his way onto the tv game-show 'Press Your Luck' (hosted by Walton Goggins) to rack up monster winnings - and make the show's staff (inc David Strathairn, Maisie Williams, & Shamier Anderson) suspect that something was amiss. It's fascinating fare, well made (by second-time director Samir Oliveros who co-wrote this his first screenplay with second-time writer Maggie Briggs) with the likes of Johnny Knoxville & Haley Bennett in minor support - tho it'll leave most asking Google to complete Larson's story for them. It's a good movie... just a little thin.

The list of things that didn't happen is way longer than the list of things that actually happened, and the stuff that actually happened is far more interesting.

Yes, Michael did go on the show and win big by memorizing the patterns on the board. But that's where the true part ends. Everything else that happened, him wandering on to another talk show, breaking into his truck and watching tapes, calling his wife and putting her on the show, the list goes on.

The movie is well cast, but not well written. If you want to watch a more interesting telling of the story, go watch "Big Bucks: The Press Your Luck Scandal"

Film: "The Luckiest Man in America" 🐷🐷🐷🐷🐷🐷 had its moments piglets!

(6/10 me) (6/10 Marilee)

Another one that looked really good. I have to admit, I did not know the true story and the events that surrounded it. Great idea for a movie. Groggins and Hauser were fantastic. I am a huge fan of both of those actors.

It's one of those movies where the audience, at times, cannot tell what is being presented as reality or what is a fantasy in some characters head. It makes it all the more confusing.

We rented it. I suggest you wait till it comes to a streaming outlet to watch it for free.

Just average.

Saw this at a TIFF screening last night, theatre completely sold out. The film itself is a pretty nice 90-minute film mostly sitting on one set. While the film does have a really strong premise, it most definetly loses its steam in the latter acts due to its lack of understanding of where to go. I really adored Paul Walter Hauser in this, but his character felt severly underwritten- it sorta seemed like he was many things for a long time and yet, he just turned out to be a normal pretty intelligent man. They kept alluding to something big was going to happen at the end with a twist, but it never comes, leaving an odd sour taste in my mouth as the credits rolled. But its still a very enjoyable casual wednesday night watch.

Luckiest Man in America is a textbook case of wasted potential. You've got a talented cast firing on all cylinders-delivering nuanced, emotionally sharp performances that deserved way better material. But the story? It drags like a flat tire on a cross-country road trip.

The pacing is glacial, the plot feels like it's searching for meaning in all the wrong places, and by the halfway mark, you're not wondering what happens next-you're wondering how much longer you have to sit through it. It's less "luckiest man in America" and more "audience stuck in narrative limbo."

To be fair, the performances alone kept this from dropping into total disaster territory. But great acting can only do so much when the story they're trapped in is meandering, repetitive, and about as gripping as a lukewarm cup of decaf.

Verdict: Strong cast, weak script. If you're watching for the actors, sure-just don't expect them to save the movie from itself.