“Lucky You” A Preview of the New Film About Poker

When the collective population embraces a trend, it is usually only a matter of time before it ends up in movie theatres across the country. The poker boom has certainly cleared the way for such a barrage of films on the subject to be released in the next two or three years. Most of these will inevitably be cheap attempts to cash in on the craze but, on the other hand, there are sure to be a few gems out there too. Poker and show business have come together over the past few years to form a very powerful and lucrative team, which will no doubt be reflected on the big screen. Already several notable stars have made clear their infatuation with the game, and with their endorsement, the game is sure to enter even more households in the coming years.

To the chagrin of many poker enthusiasts and film buffs, the release of this year’s highly-anticipated film about the world of competitive high-stakes poker, Lucky You, has been again pushed back to March of 2007. The main reason for all the hype is that it is expected to be the most realistic film about the subject ever filmed. It will feature several cameos by some of poker’s best-known faces, and with film director and self-professed poker nut Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential, 8 Mile, Wonder Boys) calling the shots, it is sure to be a thought-provoking look at the game and its seductive appeal. Also helping to turn a few heads is the fact that starring in Lucky You is a list of big-name actors, including Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, and Robert Duvall. It takes place at the 2003 World Series of Poker. This is significant because it also signifies the beginning of the poker boom, and the point at which the world’s best poker players started to become minor celebrities.

Until then, the names and faces of poker’s best were virtually unknown to the masses. So, the film is set to explore this massive transformation of the game’s major forces from unknown card sharks to iconic celebrities. The main focus of the story, however, is the life of hotshot poker player, Chuck Weaver (played by Eric Bana). He’s basically a shoot-from-the-hip blaster who goes all-in, all the time. While he’s doing what he can to win the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event, he falls for a beautiful singer named Billy Offer (Barrymore). This proves to be a major challenge, for unlike the fearless risk-taking he shows at the poker table, he can’t seem to cope with the emotional demands of a relationship.

Adding to the mounting pressure is the destructive relationship he has with his father, who is an aging poker legend in his own right (Duvall). Similar to other Curtis Hanson films, a talented man must overcome his personal problems in order to be successful with his public ambitions. The online pokeraction is expected to be the most realistic to date in a Hollywood film. Several prominent consultants (including Doyle Brunson and Howard Lederer) were taken on board to give the film a degree of authenticity. There will also be some notable cameos by professional players such as Daniel Negreanu, John Juanda, Barry Greenstein, and Sammy Farha. All of this makes for a highly-touted poker film and another thing to look forward to in 2007.