“The Luckiest Man in America” is a stranger-than-fiction drama about one of the more fascinating events in television game show history, when an unemployed ice cream truck driver became a contestant on “Press Your Luck” and won a record-breaking amount of money and prizes. Director Samir Oliveros resurrects a pivotal Eighties moment with a blend of humor, drama, and a touch of entertaining absurdity.
Michael Larson (Paul Walter Hauser) is down on his luck. His wife and young daughter have left him for another man, and his career options are dwindling. His life is about to change when he makes the drive from Ohio to Los Angeles to try out for one of the hottest game shows. While on the program, Michael is super lucky. He keeps winning and winning and never loses, much to the chagrin of the man in charge (David Strathairn) and the show’s host (Walton Goggins). But when the executives discover he has a few tricks up his sleeve, they jump in to put a stop to Michael’s key to endless money.
The film recounts Larson’s ingenious, albeit ethically ambiguous, strategy for beating the game show’s system. By memorizing one of only five possible patterns on the game board, Larson exploits a loophole to secure a massive jackpot. His technical prowess is impressive, and the film does a good job of highlighting how Larson’s method wasn’t exactly cheating but rather an exploitation of a game’s inherent flaws. It’s a classic David vs. Goliath story, infused with the allure of the American Dream gone awry.
Hauser, a consistently underrated character actor, takes center stage as this unlikely hero with an unconventional plan. His portrayal captures Larson’s desperation, fully embodying the character’s underdog spirit and obsession with winning. This makes Larson’s journey both compelling and sympathetic, but it’s also satisfying to see the little guy stick it to the man.
The screenplay focuses solely on this one memorable episode of the game show. It’s incredibly detailed, but the film’s narrow emphasis is both engaging and frustrating. On one hand, it maintains a tight narrative by zeroing in on the excitement of Larson’s game show experience. On the other hand, it leaves out the broader context of the man’s life and the repercussions of his actions, leaving you asking “what happened next?”
Despite a few small stumbles, “The Luckiest Man in America” is a fun celebration of an eccentric figure who momentarily captured the nation’s adoration (and had many wondering why they didn’t figure out this ingenious hack for beating the game show themselves). This forgotten moment in television history is an offbeat story of chasing the American Dream, and it’s one worth telling.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 