Lucky (starring Harry Dean Stanton) ~ September 29, 2017

[Hoke Moseley]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YurR...ature=youtu.be

The spiritual journey of a ninety-year-old atheist.

directed by John Carroll Lynch... also starring David Lynch and Ron Livingston.

[evilive]

This is amazing. I want it now!

[Cremildo]

Living legend.

[P-Rock]

Looks interesting. Harry Dean Stanton always is a joy to watch. Mostly known for his supporting roles, it's nice to see him get in the spotlight. I only know JCL from his acting and he's one of the greats too.

[Scottie]

I wonder if John Carroll Lynch and David Lynch are related.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I wonder if John Carroll Lynch and David Lynch are related.

I think it's just an odd coincidence -- there's no evidence that I can find that they are.

Anyways, this film looks spectacular.

[Chaotic]

Logan
Lucky Logan
Lucky
Lucky Logan

[stvn1974]

Hoping for something along the lines of David Lynch's The Straight Story which Stanton was also in.

[Hoke Moseley]

Sad bump.

Glad we'll be able to see one last lead role for the great Harry Dean Stanton.

[Mrdamron]

HDS going out on top, what a legend!

[Arch Stanton]

A posthumous oscar nomination for HDS?

[jonmayo15]

Saw this tonight as part of an Art House Theater Day special preview. Harry Dean Stanton is excellent, as is the film, would love to see him get a nomination.

[willtopower]

I just got back from this and it is easily the best film I have seen this year. It's quiet, reflective, and beautiful.

I would encourage everyone to see this if able.

[Hoke Moseley]

This never expanded to my location and I guess it never will now. Very disappointing.

[Ssnake]

Looks like this is finally being released for home viewing in a few days, but only via streaming or dvd. WTF happened to a blu ray release???

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by Ssnake

Looks like this is finally being released for home viewing in a few days, but only via streaming or dvd. WTF happened to a blu ray release???

Thanks for the heads up. At this point, I'll be happy just to watch it regardless of the format.

[Ssnake]

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

Thanks for the heads up. At this point, I'll be happy just to watch it regardless of the format.

I've already ordered a copy myself. Had a chance to watch it in the theater and thought it a great movie - one of the best I saw this past year. Just wish it got the treatment from Magnolia that I think it deserves. Should be on blu ray with some special features devoted to the legacy of Stanton's work in film.

[Bumblefeet]

Saw this at the theatre earlier today and while I don't consider it a masterpiece nor the pinnacle of Stanton's career as some reviews make it out to be, it is a nice send off for the actor. It has a good mix of dramatic, funny and tragic themes, often all in the same scene and the portrait of "Lucky" is well done and acted.

Perhaps unsurprisingly the one performance which didn't work for me was David Lynch, he stood out as a sore thumb amongst a cast of class rate supporting actors. Funny to mention, when looking over the rest of the theatre audience, this is a movie about old people for old people. I think I could count the younger audience members on one hand (myself included). But even so, everyone laughed when it was called for and there were the appropriate pin drop moments.

Again it's not a masterpiece, but I had a great sunday afternoon and if you are an Alien fan, there is a nice reunion of sorts in the movie as well!

[Hoke Moseley]

Added a poll.

3 stars from me... excellent Harry Dean Stanton performance..... solid overall, but it didn't do much for me unfortunately.

[Splatterpunk]

Bittersweet, existential, and bravely performed, fan favorite character actor John Carroll Lynch’s directorial debut LUCKY serves as a tribute to cinematic icon Harry Dean Stanton and as a meditation on mortality. Unassuming, yet competent, Lynch, Stanton, and company present a succinct examination of a spry old man’s final days.

The 90 year-old Stanton plays the titular Lucky, a man whose bad habits would’ve killed him by now, if they were going to. Following a simple routine, Lucky still lives on his own and makes his way around the small desert town where he lives on his accord. He has friends, and he enjoys game shows and Liberace, but there’s a quiet melancholy about him. He’s not afraid to mix it up, though, throwing out barbs and grumbling about being forced to smoke outside. The story is simple enough, though it is stylized to the extent that the repetition of Lucky’s days is emphasized. The film borders on being a sort of video essay, however, as much of the dialog is structured as monologued parables. Everyone has a story or philosophy to present and be examined as Lucky comes to grips with the end of his long life. A compliment of friendly faces (David Lynch, Ron Livingston, Ed Begley, Jr, Tom Skerrit, James Darren, Beth Grant) show up to escort Lucky, and Stanton if we’re being honest, to the other side.

Stanton is great in his final role (he died not too long after the film was completed). Looking every bit of 90 years-old, his craggy face and withered limbs belie a certain soulfulness and spark. Stanton embraces every minute of this search for meaning, ostensibly delivering a sort of eulogy for his own life. It’s powerful stuff, my friends. All of the other performances are great, too, but David Lynch stands out as a man who has lost his best friend, a tortoise named President Roosevelt. It is just that type of absurdist, yet emotionally resonant, element that makes sure we understand this is a celebration and not a funeral. Deep, without being pretentious or overly serious, the picture accomplishes everything it wants to in a brief 88 minutes. Logan Sparks and Drago Sumonja’s screenplay mostly gets out of the way for its performers. Shot on location in Piru, California, the tiny town provides the perfect friendly backdrop for this everyman to accept the fate that all of us will eventually face. Hopefully, we’ll be able to confront it as Stanton does, with a knowing smile.

Tender, engaging, funny, and concise, even as it grapples with heavy subjects, John Carroll Lynch’s LUCKY provides a loving farewell to the beloved Harry Dean Stanton. The elderly actor delivers an understated but defiant effort for what he knew would be his swansong. The tone and structure place this one directly in the art house milieu, but it is still easily accessible and fairly straightforward. I have a feeling that the older I get, the more I’ll identify with LUCKY’s point of view. Highly recommended for fans of PARIS, TEXAS, THE STRAIGHT STORY, and WAKING LIFE.