This is another movie that seems to have fallen between the cracks as it has never been on British terrestrial TV; it is, however, available on DVD. It's Christmas Eve 1976 and the draw for the winner of the first New York State lottery. Anthony LaPaglia is one of the finalists for the six million prize and since he was "born lucky", everyone know that he will win. Why then is he praying that his number doesn't win and why does he go beserk when it does? That's the tale that he tells at the police station when arrested. It's all very heartwarming in a sub-Capra kind of way if you can tolerate the X-rated language of his Italian family headed by Danny Aiello; the amount of cursing has more in common with "Goodfellas".
Just a quick word about LaPaglia -- I shall never forget the first time I saw him in "Betsy's Wedding"; I thought he was brilliant and foresaw a terrific career for him. He has indeed been noticeably excellent since in a variety of roles, but never as winning as on that first occasion. He's played so many American parts now that people just about forget that he is Australian.
To my few faithful readers, I am off to the States for a week or so, so there will be no new reviews until the end of the month. But do check back....
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