I was going to postpone watching this and I’m glad I didn’t. This is one of those movies that wears the premise on its sleeve. Something is off right from the beginning. At that point, that movie kinda had me going from that point onward. There’s something going on but you can’t quite figure how the rules work. I know I am being vague as hell, but I’m giving you a chance to watch the movie first.
Lucky was directed by Natasha Kermani and written by Brea Grant who’s also the lead actress (and also writer-director of this year’s 12 Hour Shift). Cinematography was done by Julia Swain. May Ryer (Brea Grant) writes self-help business books and is married to Ted (Dhruv Uday Singh). One night, a window breaks and an intruder with a mask attacks them. They manage to scare him off, but Ted’s nonchalant attitude about the break-in puzzles May. What’s worse is how the same careless attitude is shared by the police. After Ted becomes annoyed and simply leaves, May is left alone in the house which starts receiving a visit from the same masked man every night.
Okey, I have to try really hard not to give this away. This is really a great film premise to start with where you know there’s something going on but not what. Or actually, you think there’s something strange going on. The entire scenario is not exactly alien, it’s just heightened for you to feel that way. It works as both a thriller and a social commentary on women’s lives. There are cues here and there and once May witnesses the bigger picture it’s rather hard to accept. The finale might frustrate some audiences but it’s fitting.
I’ve decided to add this note here with an additional commentary. This falls a little into the spoiler territory, so please stop now if you’d rather not hear it. As the movie sets it up, there’s two types of antagonists: the man who attacks and the people (mostly men, but there’s women here too) that minimize or disregard those attacks. There’s only one man attacking the protagonist. There’s a lot of people in the second group. The attacker is allowed to exists because of what the second group does, or rather, doesn’t do. That is one of the most powerful statements the movie makes.
Highly recommended with reservations. This movie does present an scenario that real women face in their lives. The finale and the overall premise might not please some audiences who expect straight storytelling. Think of those films that are shot from the biased narrator and you’re halfway there. I found it works as a thriller which is darkly funny and at the same time full of meta-commentary. The finale will either work or not for you. I can’t really say more than that. This is just the way things are.
That will do for now.
Never Think Impossible 