Click to read the article
Lucky Numbers (1999)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:93
Fresh:21
Rotten:72
Average Rating:4/10
Consensus: Nora Ephron's attempt at dark comedy is an uneven product, both in terms of the direction and the acting. The characters are unlikable to the point where you don't care what happens to them, and Ephron condescends to the material.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] language, sexuality, some drug use and brief violence
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Oct 27, 2000 Wide
Box Office: $9,534,013
Synopsis: Russ Richards (John Travolta) seems to have it all. A popular local television weatherman from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he has a reserved parking space and table at his favorite restaurant, a... Russ Richards (John Travolta) seems to have it all. A popular local television weatherman from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he has a reserved parking space and table at his favorite restaurant, a beautiful Jaguar convertible, and a rambling house. Unfortunately, he's also squandered most of his money, and the snowmobile dealership that he owns is going under because of a warm winter that shows no signs of snow. Desperate for a financial break, Russ seeks guidance from his friend Gig (Tim Roth), a sleazy Brit who owns a strip club and has connections with various undesirables. Initially, Gig's suggestion that Russ should rig the state lottery makes Russ cringe, but out of desperation he enlists the help of the Lotto lady, Crystal (Lisa Kudrow), and they fix the numbers of a six-million-dollar drawing. Of course, the plan goes terribly wrong in this clever dark comedy from director Nora Ephron (YOU'VE GOT MAIL, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE). The all-star cast includes Michael Rapaport as psychotic Dale the Thug, Bill Pullman as lackadaisical Detective Lakewood, Ed O'Neill as Crystal and Russ's boss, and Michael Moore as Crystal's seemingly straitlaced cousin. [More]
Starring: John Travolta, Lisa Kudrow, Ed O'Neill, Tim Roth
Starring: John Travolta, Lisa Kudrow, Ed O'Neill, Tim Roth, Michael Weston, Michael Rapaport, Michael Moore, Daryl Mitchell, Bill Pullman, Nick Loren
Director: Nora Ephron
Director: Nora Ephron
Producer: Nora Ephron, Andrew Lazar, Jonathan D. Krane, Sean Daniel
Screenwriter: Adam Resnick
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Get This Movie
Reviews for Lucky Numbers
It's the easiest kind of comedy, comedy of derision. No joke about the rubes is left alone. And no obvious plot twist is, either.
Ephron ... delivers characters and situations that are lame and oddly condescending.
There is so much backstabbing and double-crossing, it's hard to tell up from down.
Gags hit with sledgehammer heaviness and most of them mock the movie's own characters so relentlessly -- and mirthlessly -- that one winces rather than laughs.
A landfill made up of remnants from other movies, cobbled together by writer Adam Resnick.
Looks like your basic formulaic undertaking, but it's got a lovely subversive edge to it.
Adam Resnick's script is flat, failing to provide a sense of escalating tension or much humor, and relying primarily on endless profanity for cheap laughs.
Kudrow is the film's true manic engine, and her ability to carry off perky amorality propels the preposterous plot forward.
A dark comedy in the muckraking mode that starts out murderously well but then begins to unravel -- just like Russ' misbegotten schemes.
Taking a chance on Lucky Number is a lot like playing the actual lottery. You might enjoy it, but the odds are against you.
Travolta and Kudrow make a winning combination, and the result is mindless, instantly forgettable comic fluff that will engage you, given half a chance.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 24% 24% | G-Force |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 90% 90% | District 9 |
| 86% 86% | 500 Days of Summer |
| 63% 63% | Extract |
| 06% 06% | All About Steve |
| 78% 78% | It Might Get Loud |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Lucky Numbers at Rotten Tomatoes
- Lucky Numbers at IGN
- Lucky Numbers at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

Here's a list of the 50 best movies of 2009, according to the good people over at Moviefone.

Hollywood.com takes a stab at determining who in movies will be on Santa's naughty list in 2009.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



