Description

Live screening 7 30 pm EDT

Lucky Star (2025) Drama. (Prairies) Social Issues include: gambling addiction, and the problems this brings for families. Also issues faced by ethnic communities.

Gambling addict Lucky tries to cover up his losses from his family after being scammed. Like him, Lucky’s family also experiences personal struggles that may equally easily swing their future toward stability or collapse.
Review: In the gripping drama LUCKY STAR, we meet Lucky (Terry Chen), whose days of high-stakes gambling contrast with his current life, filled with family duties and a struggling business. This film, crafted with finesse by Gillian McKercher, captures the deep dynamics of a family on the brink, threading through the intricacies of financial and personal crises with cinematic elegance. McKercher does an exceptional job of portraying Lucky’s psychological back and forths, capturing the tension of a man torn between his past and the pressing needs of his present. Lucky’s secretive struggle to manage his financial instability adds layers to the film, showcasing a man on the edge, making decisions that could lead to either salvation or ruin.
The film also examines the intricacies of Lucky’s family, mainly focusing on his wife, Noel, played by Olivia Cheng, and their daughter, Grace, brought to life by Conni Miu. Noel’s suspicion of Lucky and more and Grace’s everyday challenges offer a reflective look at the ripple effects of Lucky’s actions on his family, enriching the story with complex character studies and moral dilemmas.
Visually, LUCKY STAR uses the Calgary winter to reflect the chilling isolation that pervades Lucky’s interactions with his family. The cinematography highlights the growing distances within his household, enhancing the tension and drawing the audience deeper into the unfolding drama.

Themes of deception and sacrifice are central to the plot, with McKercher sprinkling these elements throughout the story to explore the lengths individuals go to protect their loved ones. This exploration is tied to the visible consequences of Lucky’s increasingly desperate choices, underscoring the dramatic stakes of his secretive gambles.

( https://mailnewsgroup.com/ohmr/high-stakes-a-gamblers-fight-for-family ).

Partners: Sheridan College, Film.ca Cinemas