Press Your Luck (2001)

Plot: Unemployed engineer Michael Larsen notices a pattern in the TV gameshow Press Your Luck that would allow a contestant to win really big. Armed with this knowledge he sets out to become the perfect contestant so he can go on the show an win.

News:

14 November, 2000

The fine folks over at MovieHeadlines got a hold of the script and gave it a thumbs up.

I thought it took a little too long in the beginning, to get to the point where he first discovers he may be able to beat the game. We understand he lost his job, and needs money, but in my opinion, the whole subplot of how his wife's parents look down on him, was a little overdone. Maybe, they should have just been mentioned, and not have a scene in the movie. It's a little too overkill.

The script does a very good job, of explaining what he does to remember the patterns, and an excellent job of showing what types of people get onto game shows. Remember, no matter what he can do, he still has to make it on the game. It's pretty funny how Michael practices to be the perfect game show contestant, so they will pick him to be on the show.

You can read the entire review here.

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17 October, 2000

Bill Murray has agreed to star in Press Your Luck. The movie is based on the true events on the 80s game show of the same name. A man named Michael Larsen discovered a pattern to the game's big board while watching at home. Knowing this he borrowed money to travel to LA and get on the show. He got his chance and wracked up $110,000 before the game ended. The producers responded by greatly increasing the complexity of the game board's patterns and showing the episode in two parts.