Starring: Toni Collette, Thomas Haden Church, Oliver Platt, Ryan Eggold
Distributor: Other
Runtime: 96 mins. Reviewed in Mar 2015
| 
| 
Though the story at times struggles to support them, a talented and entertaining cast accompanied by a great soundtrack lifts ‘Lucky Them’ out of its lesser moments.
The plot follows Ellie (Toni Collette), an older music critic writing for STAX Magazine who can’t seem to let go of her youth. She chases younger men (primarily musicians who she picks up at the gigs she frequents), drinks whiskey neat, barely makes the rent and has little to no drive to aim for anything more in life. She thinks she’s happy, but in reality she’s driven to self-sabotaging her potential.
When Ellie’s boss delivers her an ultimatum to write a brilliant story or be let go, she sets out on the trail of her ex-boyfriend, rock prodigy Matthew Smith, widely believed to have committed suicide ten years previously. She follows internet clues and potential sightings, turning to her mega-millionaire former boyfriend Charlie (Thomas Haden-Church) for funding when a source demands compensation. His condition? That he be allowed to tag along and film her search to test out his skills picked up from a documentary filmmaking class. She agrees, and the pair work their way around the American northwest on the trail of a ghost.
To eke out further plot details would verge on spoiling a film which flirts with whodunnit elements. Sadly, the film gets bogged down in actively trying to be quirky and earn its ‘indie’ credentials, and the more interesting parts of the film subsequently get less attention. Though the ending is satisfying, the lead-up could be so much more, and it’s a shame that screenwriters Huck Botko and Emily Wachtel miss this mark. That said, they employ a nice line of acerbic humour which is delivered consistently well by the assembled cast.
As Ellie, Toni Collette is her usual fantastic self – her character’s substantial emotional baggage is clearly portrayed, and despite her cringe-worthy cycle of bad decisions, the audience is allowed to easily connect with her. A scene towards the climax of their hunt is played particularly exquisitely by our Toni, and she could break hearts with her broken sobs. Thomas Haden-Church plays a character we’ve seen similarly from him before, but when he does it so wonderfully how can we complain? His Christopher is a slack jawed oddball laden with charm, and though he is the film’s primary source of laughs, he is also its primary reason for straying off into distracting side issues. Finally, Ryan Eggold plays a gifted musician who’s romantically interested in Ellie, and does so very likably, also demonstrating some impressive musical talent along the way.
Also worth mentioning is the great soundtrack, put together by Craig Wedren. Its mix of classic and alternative rock adds a nice touch to the story of an aging rock fan. It’s a shame that this wasn’t more the focus in its loose narrative, because a cast of this calibre deserves a little more.
12 Random Films…
