Gambling addiction can be compelling on the big screen if it’s presented with sensitivity and insight. A classic in this regard was the 2003 thriller Owning Mahony, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman in the title role. And it had a Canadian connection because it was based on the true story of former Toronto bank employee Brian Malony.
On May 15, another sensitive film about gambling with a Canadian connection will be screened at TIFF Lightbox. Edmonton-born actor Terry Chen (House of Cards, Falling) plays the title role in Lucky Star. Lucky is a Calgary family man who’s trying to hide his compulsion from his wife Noel, played by Olivia Cheng (Marco Polo, The Rape of Nanking).
Not only is Lucky gambling again, but he’s also covering up being scammed. After he maxxes out on his credit card, he finds it difficult to maintain the ruse.
Chen and Cheng share the executive producer credit with producer Sidney Chiu. Unlike many other Canadian films revolving around families of Chinese ancestry, Lucky Star does not play up the characters’ racial or ethnic identities. Instead, director and screenwriter Gillian McKercher focuses on the central issue—family secrets. Various characters must navigate through a morass of lies and deceit.
Shot in the Calgary Region, the dark lighting and cold landscape create a chilling mood. This serves as a metaphor for the emptiness of Lucky’s existence.
Meanwhile, his wife Noel engages in secretive games of her own. As seasoned actors, Chen and Cheng deliver authentic and believable performances as a married couple struggling to keep their entire world intact.
Lucky’s gambling problem affects others
Conni Mui (Priscilla, The Boys) also shines as their elder daughter Grace. She’s a student on the verge of everything adulthood has to offer with her boyfriend Colt (Austyn Van de Kamp). But Grace, too, must cope with growing tension within her family.
Another pleasant surprise is Andrew Phung (Run the Burbs, Kim’s Convenience). He plays Lucky’s occasionally irritated accountant Darren, who has to cope with the fallout from his client’s addiction.
Lucky Star is fast-paced, gripping, and insightful. Many Canadian-born Chinese may identify with the younger daughter, Jenny (Summer Ly), who dislikes going to Chinese school. Others will take comfort in seeing an intense family drama with characters of Asian ancestry that’s not loaded with racial references, anti-Asian hatred, and othering.
Of course, we’re a long way from living in a post-racial society. But it may still come as a relief to some that it can be presented so adroitly on-screen in urban Canada.
Lucky Star will screen in Cinema 4 at TIFF Lightbox at 6:45 p.m. on May 15. For tickets and information, visit the TIFF website. Follow the Toronto Spark on X @TOSparkOfficial. Follow Charlie Smith on Bluesky @charliesmithvcr.bsky.social.
