Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		2.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Pure Luck Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 6, 2022

1991’s “Pure Luck” is a remake of 1981’s “Le Chevre,” a French production directed by Francis Verber. The popular French filmmaker proved to be an object of fascination for Hollywood, with studios trying to bring his sense of humor to American audiences. Star Martin Short previously Verber-ed in 1989’s “Three Fugitives,” and he returns for “Pure Luck,” trying to find some funny business with co-star Danny Glover. Instead of luring Verber to handle directorial duties, Universal Pictures turns to Nadia Tass, an Australian helmer who isn’t quite up for the challenge of mastering the slapstick comedy. Instead of winding up the leads and arranging plenty of tomfoolery, Tass is caught up with uneven material, constructing a farce about clueless people that’s also a detective story, often stopping the feature to highlight weirdly DOA sequences that lack jokes. There’s Short, who’s always a welcome screen presence, but he’s working hard for no reward in this tedious misfire.

Valerie (Sheila Kelley) is a woman with bad luck, and she’s currently lost in Mexico, dealing with amnesia and predatory men after an accident. Her father is desperate to find her, and after a month of searching, he’s open to a crazy plan involving the use of accountant Eugene (Martin Short). Also a person with terrible luck, Eugene is sent to Mexico with partner Raymond (Danny Glover), unknowingly using his accident-prone ways to help find Valerie. Along the way, the pair get into all sorts of trouble, with skeptic Raymond starting to believe in Eugene’s curse, trying to work with the dangerous man without getting killed.

Viewers are asked to do a lot of heavy lifting with the plot of “Pure Luck,” which is absolute ridiculousness, but the comedic potential of it all is meant to distract from the idea that Eugene’s crooked magic is meant to identify Valerie’s location. What the material needs is a breakneck pace and multiple opportunities for shenanigans involving Eugene’s cluelessness, but Tass isn’t entirely committed to the endeavor, stepping carefully with scenes of slapstick, which find Eugene dealing with glass doors, luggage carts, and broken chairs.

Something of a buddy comedy is supposed to break out in “Pure Luck,” but Glover seems like he’s making an entirely different picture than Short, going small with his straight man part, trying to support the writing’s investigative interests, which has Raymond occasionally pulling a gun on suspects. Chemistry is off between the leads, with Short endeavoring to amplify the wackiness of it all, offering an excitable performance that doesn’t have sharp writing to support it. Instead, there’s physical humor, which Short excels at, including the sight of Eugene inflating after being stung by a bee inside a plane – a visual that inspired the creation of the actor’s Jiminy Glick character. So, at least one good thing came out of this painfully flat movie.

Pure Luck Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Pure Luck" is sourced from an older scan of the feature. The viewing experience is very soft with some mild filtering, losing needed facial textures and decorative additions for this Mexican adventure. Dimension is also lacking. Colors are aged but still appreciable, working with vibrant locations and loud costuming, which deliver some sense of primary power. Skintones are adequate. Delineation struggles with solidification at times. Source is in good condition.

Pure Luck Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers comfortable dialogue exchanges, managing Short's broadness and Glover's raspiness. Scoring cues support as intended, adding a cartoonish sense of orchestral mischief to the endeavor, balanced with performances. Atmospherics are basic, handling community bustle and some travel activity.

Pure Luck Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this release.

Pure Luck Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Pure Luck" works through head injuries, a quicksand bit, and a tired Jeep-teetering-on-the-edge-of-a-cliff situation. There's also a lengthy detour into a Mexican prison, and an extended game of trust between Eugene and Raymond as they argue about a bar patron, who may or may not be a prostitute. A lot of "Pure Luck" plays like filler, and it's a shame Tass isn't more determined to make the endeavor connect as an anarchic comedy.