I'm Lucky Day!

A likeable character drama from the talented director, Curtis Hanson, this is all about gambling, so if you hate card games, then don't even bother with this movie.

Eric Bana is Huck Cheever, a Las Vegas professional card player & the son of legendary card shark, L.C. Cheever (Robert Duvall, in one of his best roles in years; he is awesome). Huck is getting together enough cash to buy a seat at the impending world series - but his inability to resist the lure of the cards means it's taking longer than he'd like. Then into his life walks the good natured Billie Offer (the ever-luminous Drew Barrymore), in Vegas to pursue her dream of becoming a singer.

In normal Hollywood fashion, you'd expect either; a) a romantic comedy to ensue, or b) a predictable schmaltzy redemption play. This is neither... and perhaps a bit of both! It's primarily a slow-burning character study (reminding me of fare seen in the 70's & 80's, like Atlantic City), which isn't flashy, just solidly entertaining and engaging.

With a brilliant script by Eric Roth (& Hanson), that is briskly directed, this is entertainment of the kind rarely seen these days.

An excellent movie that you should give a chance.