The Luckiest Man in America

The Luckiest Man in America was a fascinating watch for me, especially because it's based on a true story I hadn't heard before. It follows a man who managed to con his way onto a game show and ended up getting incredibly lucky while on it. I was completely unfamiliar with the real-life event or the man at the center of it, which made the film all the more intriguing.

What really grabbed my attention was how quickly the story pulled me in. It's one of those movies where, as soon as it ends, you immediately want to Google the real events to find out what actually happened. And in this case, there's a surprising amount of additional bizarre and fascinating information about the guy that didn't make it into the film.

As for the movie itself, I'd call it a solid one-time watch. It presents an unusual slice of 1980s history in an entertaining way. It's not necessarily a film you'd revisit, but it succeeds in shining a light on a quirky, forgotten moment in pop culture. You watch it, think "Well, that was interesting," and move on-now I'm a little more informed about one of the oddest stories to come out of the game show world.

"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 Luckiest Man In America is apparently based on a true person although I never heard of him. The movie is categorized as a thriller but it isn't, it's basically a drama which is normally not my favourite genre but this one was actually a good movie. The cast was very well chosen. Paul Walter Hauser has one of those faces to play a weirdo, like he did before in the excellent movie Richard Jewell and the great series Black Bird. This time he plays the contestant in a game show, again a character that can be qualified as weird. Good acting from the entire cast and an easy and pleasant story to follow.

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.