With Jim Sabatini

Lucky You

Rated: PG-13  for some language and sexual humor
Reviewed by: Chris
Release date: May 4, 2007	Released by: Warner Brothers

A drama starring Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore and Robert Duvall is strictly for die-hard poker fans. To enjoy it requires one to know what it means to draw to an inside straight, or what a river card is.

There is a story aside from the card playing, but poker, all of its lingo, odd characters and surrounding tables are the focus.

Bana is Huck Cheaver, a Las Vegas gambler with a perpetually knitted brow. He's the son of L.C. (Duvall), a legend in the poker arena. The two have a rough relationship, but their alienation never quite rings true.

Into the mix comes Billie (Barrymore) a would-be singer, who falls for Huck. She's intrigued, but is in turmoil over his refusal to know when it's time to quit.

Writer-director Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential and In Her Shoes) usually tells a better story. Here, we have a script that will most likely appeal to a narrow audience. If your eyes glaze over when you pass the World Series of Poker on TV, then perhaps you'll want to fold your hand and stay home.