‘The Luckiest Man in America’ Review: Paul Walter Hauser Stars in a Game Show Drama With More Style Than Substance

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‘The Luckiest Man in America’ Review: Paul Walter Hauser Stars in a Game Show Drama With More Style Than Substance

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming experiences under my belt, I can say that “The Luckiest Man in America” is a cinematic journey that takes you back to the golden age of game shows and leaves you questioning the true meaning of luck. The film’s unique blend of dreaminess and dread creates an atmosphere reminiscent of stepping into a classic arcade cabinet, only to find yourself in a twisted version of the game.

“It’s not by accident that anyone finds themselves in my seat.” This is what the game show host, portrayed by Johnny Knoxville, tells contestant Michael Larson (Paul Walter Hauser), towards the end of The Luckiest Man in America, when he interrupts his taping.

The statement may seem accurate, but in actuality, Michael accidentally entered this room unintentionally. However, the film seems to be trying to derive a broader message from Larson’s true story. It aims to extract some profound insights about his character or ours, transforming this unusual event into a symbol of wisdom rather than just an odd occurrence once in a while.

The issue lies in the fact that it’s not always apparent what Michael is up to, nor is it clear what any of us are doing, in this film titled “The Luckiest Man in America,” directed by Samir Oliveros. While the movie captures an atmospheric, nostalgia-laced feel with undertones of fear or whimsy, it falls short as a character study or storytelling piece because it’s too tied to its specific setting for its impact to reach beyond that.

The screenplay penned by Oliveros and Maggie Briggs narrates incidents that might resonate with viewers born in the Gen X era or earlier, but not as much with younger ones. In 1984, the hybrid trivia-luck game show Press Your Luck was America’s most popular television program – at least, that’s what its charismatic host (Walton Goggins), one of many well-known celebrities seemingly underutilized in their supporting roles, referred to it as. One ordinary casting call day, a man named Michael, an ice cream truck driver from Ohio, walked in reminiscing about his fond memories of tuning into the show every morning with his family while they ate bacon and eggs.

In his portrayal by Hauser, Michael appears strikingly similar to typical characters played by Paul Walter Hauser. He’s instantly uncomfortable, which can sometimes seem pitiable, subtly menacing, or endearingly innocent, depending on the context. However, it’s worth noting that the real Michael seems to be more polished, as suggested by a brief clip of archival footage shown during the end credits. Despite not being a traditional leading man, with his worn clothing and battered vehicle, he radiates a charm that convinces the show creator Bill Carruthers (David Strathairn) to cast him for the next episode, disregarding early concerns about Michael’s Midwestern innocence potentially being a disguise.

Moreover, things at CBS’ Television City are not always as they appear. When Michael arrives for his recording session, PA Sylvia (Maisie Williams) leads the contestants past sets that resemble a jail or a Hong Kong alleyway. The scene is both enchanting and slightly confusing, as if she could be guiding them into an imaginary world. By the time they reach their destination, the Press Your Luck set seems to exist within reality but also apart from it. It’s not so much that reality matters here, but rather it is filtered through various layers of artificiality and shaped by its own peculiar guidelines.

Initially, Michael appears to be quite ordinary, stumbling over trivial questions, struggling with casual conversation among his peers, and losing some money early in a game of chance. However, this is soon followed by an unprecedented winning streak that transitions from thrilling to unexpected to utterly implausible. In the control room, Bill and his team progress from being delighted to enraged to petrified, fearing that Michael’s escalating winnings might deplete their entire budget. The audience, on the other hand, perceives Michael in a very different light. To them, he is not merely a lucky or cunning individual but “the underdog who triumphs over the powerful.”

As a dedicated admirer, I can’t help but feel fortunate to have been captivated by “The Luckiest Man in America.” This extraordinary production bears the distinguished touch of its executive producer, Maria, and director Pablo Larraín, whose signature style is evident in its departure from traditional biopic tropes towards a more dreamlike, personal journey.

In this captivating setting, despite no direct indications of the surreal, I find myself drawn to a sense of purgatorial atmosphere. As Michael shatters records with his winnings, he’s confronted by an unspoken reckoning. The staff, anxious about their own futures, rummage through his truck for hints about his past or true intentions. They dig up old adversaries and long-held grudges in a bid to undermine his confidence, or tempt him with offers of fame and fortune to control him. Michael’s flaws become strikingly apparent, such as his pride and careless disregard for rules. Yet, so do his virtues, like the brilliance that allowed him to decipher the game in a manner unprecedented by others. Hauser immerses himself deeply into every subtle emotion stirring within Michael, from smug triumphs to paralyzing anxieties.

As I sat down in that talk show chair, I couldn’t help but confess that my true purpose for appearing on “Press Your Luck” was to rekindle my relationship with my estranged wife (Haley Bennett) and daughter: “All I yearn for is a family breakfast, yet the only way I can have it is if I’m on their television set.” Being visible through the airwaves isn’t the same as establishing a genuine emotional bond. In “The Luckiest Man in America,” Michael remains undecided, neither providing straightforward inspiration nor stern admonishment. Instead, we’re left to form our own opinions. Yet, the film’s stylish ambiguity leaves us with little to truly ponder on. Once Michael is off our screens, he might as well fade into obscurity.

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2024-09-06 05:55