Good Luck (1997)

Good Luck--which played the 1997 film festival circuit under the unwieldy title The Ox and the Eye--is a casebook example of good intentions getting in the way of good filmmaking. This is one of those eager-to-please movies that works well on the surface while perpetuating a stereotypical (and therefore condescending) perception of the disabled. The story is strictly movie-of-the-week fodder, involving the odd-couple pairing of a former football star (Vincent D'Onofrio) who was blinded in a freak tackling accident, and a paraplegic (Gregory Hines) who dreams of entering a popular white-water rafting competition on Oregon's Rogue River.

Hines convinces the bull-headed D'Onofrio to join him in the competition, defying all those bumpkin nonbelievers who doubt that two "cripples" can pilot a river raft, and Good Luck settles into its predictable feel-good plotting. The movie is most enjoyable when Hines and D'Onofrio simply play off of each other's considerable talents, and humorous dialogue enables them to give engaging performances (although we could do without the gratuitous profanity and D'Onofrio's gleeful description of a prodigious bowel movement). The problem with this movie is that it avoids depth at every turn, favoring triumph-over-adversity clichés and offering nothing new (or particularly authentic) in its handling of the physical and emotional issues of blindness and paralysis. The direction varies from adequate to amateurish, and by the time the movie indulges an obligatory ending that's pregnant with saccharine uplift, only the most gullible viewer will be suckered into feeling good. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Enjoyable feel-good flick

I think I can safely say this movie is one of the best purchases I have made all year. After waiting for over three months for Amazon to finally tell me they could not obtain stock, and thinking I had missed out (trying to get hold of Vincent D'Onofrio films in Australia is next to impossible), I found a seller in the Amazon Marketplace selling a used copy for $5. I snapped it up, and I wasn't disappointed.

I won't go into the details of the film, as that has already been outlined. But this movie was immensely enjoyable. It wasn't a 'we will conquer all' film in the typical sense of the word (think any Hollywood sporting flick where the underdog makes a comeback and wins against all odds). It was, however, a feel-good flick in the sense that the two main characters attain achievements that no one else thought they could manage.

There's plenty of humour through the movie, and it has its crude moments, but they can be overlooked in the grand scheme of the entire movie. The entire film was simple, but fantastic, and much less of a cliche than I expected it to be. December 21, 2005

Great performances are not enough to save it

I rented this movie because I really adore the two lead actors. However, although they do the best they can, there is no saving this banal, movie of the week-esque movie. There are a couple of nice moments, most notably when D'Onofrio's character talks about his father and about his love of football. Other than that, the story seems to be cobbled together from many other "uplifting" movies. At times, you can not only guess what will happen next, but can guess what the exact line will be.

Football hero becomes self-pitying after an accident leaves him blind (and unable to satisfy his cheap girlfriend in the sack--which she exposes in a tell-all book). His tutor from school shows up, himself in a wheelchair, and pops this crazy idea to enter a whitewater rafting race. Even though he professes to have it all together and is all rah-rah, he still feels his own sadness that his dreams of being a dentist were dashed by a drunk driver. But first--you knew it!--they have to learn to trust each other. This involves whacky stunts. The two drive to the race, having adventures, learning about themselves and each other, suprising locals with can-do spirit. Each scene seems to end with the two sharing a warm laugh in the fuzzy sunset. Each person they run into is nutty. And even though I said I liked this, the lines from the scene where Olee talks about his dad seem to practically be directly from "The Breakfast Club" where the jock talks emotionally about his dad. Only the commitment of Hines and D'Onofrio keep this one from getting no stars at all.

So to recap: Person who's cocky and beloved for his physical prowess loses it and feels sorry for himself? Check. That person has one last chance to hear the chanting of the crowd and relive the glory? Check. Another person who's been down that same road of self-pity and redemption comes along to save him? Check. Two men bond on the road and endure colorful locals? Yup. Student becomes teacher? Yes. Locals try to keep them down? Check. Other dreamers lend a hand? Drunk driving? Boy stunted emotionally by father? Bathroom humor? Improbable competition set up to prove worth of the outsiders, and won to stirring music and cheers? All those who've been touched by the quest and who we've met along the way show up at the end? Suprise ending that is supposed to warm your heart and teach you what's really important? Yes, yes, yes. November 6, 2004

Amazing!

I really enjoyed this movie! Good Luck or The Ox and the Eye (which is a better title) is about two men, who are disabled, entering a white water race. It was heartwarming (when Lem and Tony try to enter the race, they are rejected because of their disabilities) and hilarious!!! There is some vulgar language, so this movie is not for children! The best part is it's rewatchable!!!! D'Onofrio and Hines at their best!!! August 1, 2004

Heart Warmer

I bought this because when Gregory Hines recently died I wanted to see those movies he did that I had missed. Perhaps a poor reason, but better late than never. He was an accomplished actor and dancer. This DVD has a great price on it as well for the entertainment you will get out of it. I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of those feel good sleepers you run across now and then.

When Hines, playing a paraplegic, decides to enlist the aid of a blinded football star, played by D' Onofrio, to win a white water race, anything can happen. The friendship that develops is earned through hard work and the realization that no matter what, we can move forward with our lives.

Fans of movies like "Brian's Song", "Field of Dreams", "Cool Runnings", and "Amazing Grace" should enjoy it. Other than some ocassional bad language the movie is suitable for most the family. October 1, 2003

Totally Underrated!!

This is a fabulous "feel good" movie. I've watched it a dozen times and it's still a favorite to pop in the VCR when company comes calling. This movie never got the publicity it deserved so it's pretty much a surprise when I play it for guests. Then, everyone wants a copy. I probably would never have heard of it myself if my mom hadn't been an extra in it. It was filmed in Winchester Bay, Oregon where my mom had a gift shop. September 5, 2003

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