Lucky You

Eric Bana as Huck Cheever
Release Date: May 4th, 2007
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Written by: Eric Roth and Curtis Hanson
Genre: Drama

Other Cast:
… Drew Barrymore
… Robert Duvall
… Debra Messing

Billie Offer (Drew Barrymore) is a young singer from Bakersfield with more heart than talent. Huck Cheever (Eric Bana) is a poker player whose emotions at the table often undermine his exceptional skill, especially when he is heads up with his father, poker legend L.C. Cheever (Robert Duvall). The one aptitude Billie and Huck seem to share is a knack for reading people — the difference is what they do with that gift. While Huck’s instincts enable him to take advantage of his opponents at the poker table and expertly avoid both emotional connections and long-term commitments in his personal life, Billie uses her intuition to see the emotional truth of those around her and sympathize with their pain. When these two meet, the real game begins. If Huck is going to win Billie’s heart, he must learn to play cards the way he has been living life and live his life the way he has been playing cards.

From the Gallery:

Quotes from the Cast and Crew

Eric Bana on his character Huck Cheever
“I think Huck has competitive juices flying through his system so the world of poker really suits his personality and his lifestyle. He enjoys it; it gives him a sense of purpose, but he’s so immersed in that world that, really, nothing else exists for him. I think other people believe he could be one of the great poker players if he could keep his head together, but I’m not sure he knows himself what his true potential is. In a way, he was born to be a poker player, but he needs to sort out other elements in his life if he is going to take his game to the next level.”

Eric Bana on his character Huck Cheever’s love-life
“Huck sees something in Billie that he hasn’t seen before in other women. I think that’s why he ultimately lowers his guard with her, which allows him to experience the first true relationship he’s probably ever known.”

Eric Bana on spending time with poker pros
“It lifted our game because it’s impossible for it not to rub off. For instance, a scene that might only be a minute onscreen could take us days to shoot, so that’s hours and hours sitting around with these guys, and all you’re doing between takes is talking poker. It definitely elevated my ability to sell my character as someone who knows his way around a poker table.”

Eric Bana on learning how to play golf
“For me, the golf was the most daunting part of the making the film, because I’d played very, very little golf, and my game had usually been of great comedic value to my friends. You could have nicknamed me ‘The Slicer.’ But Curtis was very strict about it. He said, ‘You have to swing like you have a four handicap, so get to work.’ So I did, and it really paid off. I don’t know how many free golf lessons I had, but it was a lot.”

Director Curtis Hansen on casting Eric Bana
“Like Huck, Eric Bana is a blaster; he came at his part full out. During the rehearsal period, he not only worked on his scenes but immersed himself in learning the game of poker. He is a true chameleon. Unlike many actors who twist characters to fit their own personalities and characteristics, I think Eric looks at each part as an opportunity to truly become someone else.”

Director Curtis Hansen on making Eric Bana play golf
“Eric not only had to learn to play poker, he also had to train to hit a golf ball like a player with a four handicap. He did that very well, too. Every golf shot in the movie is his.”

External Links:

• Internet Movie Database
Additional credits, plot summary, facts, quotes and more.

• Official Site
The movie’s official site.