Review #26: Lucky Them

Release Date: April 21, 2014
Writer: Emily Wachtel
Director: Megan Griffiths

Logline: A rock journalist is assigned to track down her ex-boyfriend. (Source IMDb)
Bechdel Test: Failed. Only passed two of three tests.

Review

First things first: if you watch this movie (which you should), don’t IMDB it first.  There’s a great cameo near the end that would be best left as a surprise.

You know how sometimes you’re watching a movie and totally loving it and you pause to see where you are just hoping you’re not nearing the end? That was my experience with this film. I loved it.

Story wise, it’s pretty solid – a woman is sent to find and interview her ex-boyfriend in order to save her job at a music magazine.  Narratively, it’s not amazing – there are definitely places where it could be smoothed out and characters whose existence aren’t really justified.  In my opinion, these narrative flaws are completely smoothed over by the superb acting and engaging dialogue. 

I’m pretty sure Toni Collette is just the coolest person in the entire world.  Her character, Ellie Klug, is complex and interesting and has the best wardrobe of life.  Collette’s performance is great but Thomas Haden Church really steals the show.  He plays Charlie, an ex of Ellie’s, who decides to make a documentary of her journey to find the elusive Matthew Smith.  He manages to make a neurotic and socially awkward millionaire someone who we genuinely like and root for.  His delivery of each and every line is so perfect that I can’t imagine this role ever being played by someone else.

The beauty of this film is found in the details.  From the names of her goldfish being Kurt and Courtney to the star-shaped twinkle lights decorating her apartment, the little things are what made me want to stay in this world long after the credits rolled.

The dynamic between Collette and Church combined with the cool vibe of the Seattle background make this one of my favourite fempire movies so far.

Portrayal of Women: This film didn't pass the Bechdel. There are more than two named woman who speak to each other, but they don't talk about something besides a man. Although this is disappointing in a movie with both a female director and writer, the strength of Ellie's character helps make up for it.


Ellie is battling her past while trying to navigate her future - that ends up being messy a lot of the time. The typical 40 year old female character is married with a couple of kids and totally devoted to their relationship or trying to find a relationship. Ellie is the queen of casual dating and she has no plans of marriage or children in the foreseeable future.  She makes the mistakes that are usually reserved for male characters to make and that results in a captivating look at what else a woman's 40s can be besides caring for a family.


Sisterhood Moment: Ellie wore white to a wedding. Like what??!! How could you do that?! Anti-sisterhood.

Rating: 4 Belle and Sebastian records + a couple chunky scarves.

IMDb - Lucky Them (7.1)
Wikipedia - Lucky Them
Rotten Tomatoes - Lucky Them (92%)