Lucky

Harry Dean Stanton's (1926-2017) cinematic swan song is a small film with a big heart, a fitting valedictory vehicle for the veteran character actor. The elderly Lucky (Stanton) lives a fiercely independent life in a small desert town in the Southwest, following the same routine scrupulously every day—getting up and moseying down to the diner and the grocery before winding up at a bar to share drinks with his best friend Howard (David Lynch), who is currently mourning the escape of his pet, an ancient tortoise that has ambled off into the wild. Lucky is a kindred free spirit, an atheist who offers dour opinions about existence while also reacting belligerently to talk of an afterlife. But the issue of mortality arises when Lucky gets dizzy and takes a tumble at home—an incident that leads to a visit with a down-to-earth doctor (Ed Begley Jr.). Further alterations to Lucky's routine arise when concerned, well-meaning friends come by, and Lucky accepts an invitation to a boy's birthday party. Loosely directed by John Carroll Lynch, the film meanders much like its title character, but also offers reflections on major questions about life and death. The key to its success is Stanton, who skirts pomposity with his wry delivery and impish grin. An engaging portrait of a sometimes irascible old man determined to live life on his own terms, and a fine capstone to Stanton's multifaceted career, this is recommended. [Note: DVD extras include interviews with writers/producers Logan Sparks and Drago Sumonja (28 min.) and director John Carroll Lynch (14 min.), “Harry Dean Stanton's Final Film Take” (2 min.), and a brief interview with Stanton (2 min.). Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning character study.] (F. Swietek)