'Lucky You' is Short on Luck

Has anyone already seen Drew Barrymore's just recently released poker flick “Lucky You”? 'Cuz I haven't, but sure am curious. The plot sounds pretty romantic to me. She (Barrymore) is an innocent young woman coming to the big city to pursue a singing career and he is a hotshot player seeking to play some killer poker. Although the two characters are portrayed as sharing nothing in common, the film makers somehow make them fall in love.

My friends went to see the movie and, to be sincere, were not that impressed. They told me that the love story was completely unconvincing. Since the two protagonists lead such different lives the chances of somebody like them falling in love are really modest (to say the least). Ok, so both Drew Barrymore and Eric Banna are gorgeous, but beyond the initial physical attraction could there be anything else? Somehow I real doubt that...

Also, I was told that 'Lucky You's subplot is really shallow. My friends said that the didn't buy all this father-son conflict. So, Banna is not in touch with his feelings. So, what does it have to do with his poker playing daddio? According to the movie, Banna is first supposed to resolve his personal issues and only then can he become successful in poker. Maybe an encounter with a seasoned psychiatrist is in place. After all, psychiatrists make it their goal to help others get in touch with their inner emotions.

The bottom line? I consider both Banna and Barrymore fairly talented actors. The movie also features other esteemed actors, including four-time Golden Globe winning actor Rubert Duval and 'Will & Grace' actress Debra Messing in supporting roles. The director is Curtis Hanson, the man behind the successful "L.A. Confidential” film. The script was written by Eric Roth, another celebrated figure in the movie industry. So many right people invested so much effort in something that turned out somehow wrong...

One thing I'm happy about is the accent on poker made throughout the film. I am a true poker fan. So, the more poker play I see, the merrier...