Film Review

‘The Luckiest Man in America’: Small-Time Conman Wins Big

“The Luckiest Man in America” gets you thinking about how gaming systems are rigged and whether that automatically makes cheating acceptable.
‘The Luckiest Man in America’: Small-Time Conman Wins Big
(L–R) Brian Geraghty, Paul Walter Hauser, and Patti Garrison play contestants on "Press Your Luck," in "The Luckiest Man in America." IFC Films
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
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R | 1h 30m | Dramedy | 2025

“The Luckiest Man in America” is based on a slightly-embellished true story that occurred in the 1980s. Paul Walter Hauser is terrific as Michael Larson, a down-on-his-luck, sheepish sad-sack of an ice-cream truck driver. Hailing from Lebanon, Ohio, he’s driven his little truck all the way to Hollywood to audition for his favorite television game show, “Press Your Luck.”

Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
Mark Jackson is the senior film critic for The Epoch Times and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. Mark earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by classical theater conservatory training, and has 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is featured in the book "How to Be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to films, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, rock-climbing, qigong, martial arts, and human rights activism.
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