The Luckiest Man in America whammies out

It's quite curious to me that a movie that would go to the trouble to meticulously recreate Press Your Luck's stunning set piece, that enormous board of slides and flashing lights — one of the best game show centerpieces ever — would then go so far afield with the story of Michael Larson. Always looking for the next scheme, Larson memorized the board's patterns and used that knowledge to break the bank. For all the small details captured, like the accurate rendering of the hidden score and spins readout that only the contestants are intended to see, there are incredible diversions in the story, such as network brass drinking champagne in the background after they decide to cash in on Larson's performance. The reality was quite the opposite. 

I'm not sure anyone coming to this movie with no knowledge of Larson or Press Your Luck would find the story particularly interesting; its scenes are largely confined to the show's studio. And I think many people could have written this better. For example, it seems malpractice not to have a scene of Larson sitting at home, eating cereal in his pajamas, watching the great game show block of The $25,000 Pyramid, Press Your Luck and The Price Is Right. One day, studying those lights bounce around the squares on Press Your Luck, he thinks he notices something and starts taking notes through the use of a VCR recording. The tagline at the bottom of the poster says, "What's behind his winning streak?" That's the meat of what is interesting about Larson, and it is largely unexplored here.

I also think Peter Tomarken, who did a fine job hosting the 1983-1986 game show and spent some of his time providing angel flights to sick individuals, would be insulted by the unfairly smarmy portrayal of him in this production. While the cast includes some fine performers like David Straithairn, and it's clear that Paul Walter Hauser studied Larson's in-the-zone technique, it's not enough to save this misguided script. For those intrigued by Larson's feat, Game Show Network's documentary Big Bucks: The Press Your Luck Scandal is excellent and remains the definitive telling of the Larson story.

Verdict: 2 out of 5

Also see // RIP Peter Tomarken