Lucky

Love her, love her dog

A happy-go-lucky youth, Lucky, with A Upendra’s dressing and style sense, is madly in love with, what else? Love TV anchor Gowri. Pursuing her with gusto, he leaves other mundane matters like food and clothes to his friends - one, a perpetually unemployed Anand and the other, a youth in pursuit of his dreams but loyal to friends.

Gowri on the other hand wants nothing more than seeing Lucky’s back, even if he is literally hounded out-of-bounds by her ZooZoo. Soon, his friend leaves in search of greener shores and Lucky has to fend for himself and Anand.

He zeroes in on a dream job, only to find his ladylove also works there. Does Lucky’s luck hold? Will he get both the job and his love? More important, will ZooZoo allow him anywhere near Gowri?

The director has made ample use of the resources at his disposal. Yash’s presentation is way too over-the-top, gobbling up much of screentime. It is to the actor’s credit that his good looks and dancer’s legs carry off the day when his hamming becomes unbearable.
Ramya clicks all the way - anchor, manager and the reserved girl who’s slightly disillusioned with the world, once the bedazzled viewer returns to his senses.

The first half almost sucks dry the viewer’s reservoir of patience. Most of the scenes are predictable-Ghouse Peer’s dialogues offering nothing new. But the pace gradually picks up, with two speedbreaker songs. Arjun Janya though is on an extended roll, giving some rollicking tunes. Complimenting his work are the costume designers and the art design departments. Cinematographer Krishna’s work is tidy. Peer’s dialogues take effect in the second half, unobtrusive, yet appropriate. Sharan, Sadhu Kokila and Umesh (part of a ‘farce’) are okay.

The real star of Lucky is the pug, joining the likes of Uggie of The Artist fame. Made famous by the Hutch/Vodafone commercials, the dimunitive breed renders itself to all kinds of manipulations and Lucky is no better. Dr Suri treads the danger line in the firecracker scene, sure to raise the hackles of animal lovers, but just. The dog holds it own before seasoned performers, giving much of the required expressions.
Lucky may have just extended the lead pair’s winning streak, is packaged well, but ultimately lacks a story. A pity, that.