Rating: 3/5

Three Word Summary: Killer Wins Lottery

This movie has an amusing premise — wanna-be serial killer murders a woman who happens to have purchased a winning lottery ticket and uses his new found fame and fortune to woo his dream girl.

Lucky executed that interesting plotline well, but didn’t go quite as I would have expected. Even if I can’t find exactly what I didn’t like about it, it just felt a bit flat and emotionless. This is one of those forgettable films that is just interesting enough to keep you watching, but not remember much about it.

There was a little bit of a Norman Bates-vibe going on with Ben the serial killer (Colin Hanks) and his degenerate mother. But the multiple murders were almost overlooked at times when Ben is pursuing his childhood sweetheart, Lucy, who only falls for him because of the money.

No mention is made of why Ben kills, which I can accept. His timid charm and outward good nature are almost to be expected of an imaginary serial killer.

To me, it seemed as if he was too undermotivated to be a serial killer — like his heart wasn’t in it.  He was too easily distracted by money and a girl. He does continue killing after winning the lottery, but only when needed and not well enough to avoid detection. I guess he was still an amateaur.

Even more bizarre is Lucy’s reaction when she discovers his secret. She, too, is more concerned with the money than her own safety and even accidentally aids in covering up for his crimes. Although, however unlikely or inexplicable, this was one of the funniest scenes in the whole movie.

I thoroughly enjoy a good dark comedy and this film was only half way to good. There were enjoyable parts, and still others I considered a waste of my time.