george-43710
I don't know why this movie has such a low rating. It wasn't the best thing i ever seen but there were worse ones for sure. The game of hot potato made me chuckle a bit but that's about all i can say about this "comedy". I din't laugh for the most part but the intention was there. I never wondered how much is left so i guess that's a good thing. A bit silly, a bit funny and a lot average.
6/10
SnoopyStyle
It's 1988 Harrisburg PA. Russ Richards (John Travolta) is a local TV celebrity weatherman and he's broke after opening a snowmobile dealership. His shady friend Gig (Tim Roth) suggests an insurance scam but it goes wrong and Russ gets further in trouble with hit-man Dale (Michael Rapaport). Gig's next scheme is to rig the state lottery with the help of his amoral girlfriend Crystal Latroy (Lisa Kudrow) who pulls the numbers on TV. They actually succeed at winning the jackpot and station manager Dick Simmons (Ed O'Neill) tries to blackmail them. Mayhem ensues and detectives Lakewood (Bill Pullman) and Chambers (Daryl Mitchell) are forced to investigate.This isn't funny even as a black comedy. Nora Ephron just doesn't have the feel for this comedy sub-genre. She is better off sticking with her usual brand of humor. The plot is a rambling mess. The characters are more annoying than actually funny. It is simply not funny and very tiresome.
Wizard-8
Watching "Lucky Numbers" was one of the most confusing cinema experiences I have had in some time. The problem becomes clear not long into watching the movie - it can't decide what kind of movie it is. A comedy? A hard drama? It seems to be trying to be BOTH of those movies, with a number of yuk yuk moments, but also some seriously harsh moments (which include some violent deaths).Had the movie tried to be a 100% comedy OR a 100% drama, I think it would have worked a lot better than it does now. But there would still be some problems with the movie. The Leonard Maltin movie guide got it right when it said the movie had "unpleasant characters". I don't blame the actors for this (even newbie actor Michael Moore), but how they were pushed in their performances by the direction and the script. But you have to wonder what they saw in the script to make them sign up.
bostonlatin
Nora Ephron, between Bewitched and this movie should be mandated by law from making any more movies. Unrealistic, a complete lack of empathy with every day human being reality with the working or middle class. People just don't talk or act this way. Get out of Hollywoo and Beverly Hills.The one major exception - TIM ROTH, funny, bright, somewhat believable.Please don't waste your money on this movie or rental.I don't understand how Ms. Ephron has become this iconoclastic, Hollywood, revered individual. Give me a hint, please!Have I reached 10 lines yet?
