‘The Luckiest Man In America’ Review – Luck Is With The Cast, Not Much With The Film

America loves an underdog, and it indeed loves the underdog who takes on the big dog in spectacular, humiliating fashion. This was the case in 1984 on the game show Press Your Luck when a downtrodden huckster attempted to game the system. The Luckiest Man in America tells how Michael Larson scammed his way onto a game show to win endless money. There is enough drama in this tight film that orchestrates itself like a white-knuckle thriller. The cast is charming, particularly in the lead of Paul Walter Hauser. Still, the movie sometimes seems to be pressing its luck with the audience and time. While compelling, it never rises to the level of intrigue and curiosity.

For the uninitiated, Press Your Luck was a long-running daytime American TV game show that ran from 1983 to 1986. In this particular affair, contestants answer trivia questions to earn chances to spin on a game board. The goal, of course, is to win prizes, including plenty of cash. It is a show filled with zip, zany punches and quips, including a snappy host in Peter Tomarken (played in the film by Walter Goggins). The game, by design, never allowed for them to be big-ticket wins until Michael Larson charmed his way onto the show.

The film introduces Michael Larson, an unemployed Ohio ice cream driver. After charming show producer Bill Carruthers (David Strathairn), Larson earns a spot in the next episode. Unbeknownst to the showrunners or suits, Larson knows a secret. He has found a way to game the system and walk away with endless money. Larson’s winnings keep mounting as he becomes a folk hero throughout the episodes. This turn of events leads to panic in the executive in the control room, who believes Larson is cheating. As Larson clocks in on $110,000, the uptight executives work to uncover the mystery behind Larson’s luck and his real motivations.  

On the face of it, The Luckiest Man in America has an impeccable cast. Hauser anchors the film, creating something of a charming con man and world-weary loser. In real life, Larson was known for his desperate get-rich-quick schemes. To many, he was a swindler and huckster; to others, he was a folk hero and someone to be celebrated after finding a way to game the system and figuring out how to Press his luck. Larson memorized the game’s methods and, through practice, cracked the code.

Much of the film avoids profiling Larson’s life outside the game show event. This story centers on the behind-the-scenes high-stakes drama as Larson keeps racking up win after win. Hauser is indomitable here. He crafts a zany charm and whim, transforming himself into the proverbial underdog who became a one-time legend. He owns the film, even outshining his equally talented co-stars. The film dramatizes the events of the game show, imbuing a latent element of tragedy that only endears us to Hauser’s Larson.

In supporting roles, Goggins and Strathairn are their respective forces of nature. Goggins brings to life a highly concentrated, punchy, and over-the-top caricature of Peter Tomarken. Strathairn’s take on TV executive Bill Carruthers is also an enjoyable side character who serves as the lynchpin for much of the film’s action. Working in just ninety minutes, the film compresses much of the drama into a quasi-edge-of-your-seat thriller. However, the film does lose its zip, particularly as the executives and suits begin to think Larson is cheating.

The film never elaborates on the aftermath of this episode. In reality, Larson was awarded his winnings despite the studio refusing to hand them over to him. Despite their insistence, they could never prove Larson cheated his way to a fortune. The film is a condensed account of what happened on the day Larson took home the big prize and became a folk hero.

We, the audience, find ourselves endeared to Larson as a character, which is a testament to Hauser’s performance. The supporting cast adds charm and vigor to the narrative, but the story itself tends to plod more than accelerate. This may be a story more of legend than actuality. While highly documented, it does feel overtly farcical in ways that lose our attention span. There is a feeling that the movie is aiming for a prime-time spot, but yet ultimately feels relegated to an afternoon TV slot. Given the cast’s talent, we deserve better, and more importantly, they deserve a story to shine and hold up on the hot studio lights.

The Luckiest Man in America is never as bold as its eyebrow-raising title suggests. We are merely along for the ride, which, while entertaining, could have gone more liberal with the dramatization. It is a triumph of at least acting but nothing of substance. Ultimately, we feel a tad cheated, like any winner on a game show. After taxes, we have little to show for our winnings.

The Luckiest Man In America is currently playing in theaters courtesy of IFC Films.