Lucky Bastard (2013 film)

Lucky Bastard is a 2013 found footage horror film and the directorial debut of American producer Robert Nathan. The film had its world premiere in May 2013 at the Monaco Film Festival and was given a limited theatrical release on February 14, 2014 in the United States.[1] It stars Don McManus as a porn site owner that finds more than he anticipated when he hires a seemingly docile young man (Jay Paulson) to have sex on camera.[2]

Lucky Bastard
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRobert Nathan
Written byLukas Kendall
Robert Nathan
StarringDon McManus
Jay Paulson
Betsy Rue
CinematographyClay Westervelt
Edited byTony Randel
Production
company
Vineyard Haven
Distributed byCavu Pictures
Revolver Entertainment
Release date
  • May 2013 (2013-05) (Monaco Film Festival)
  • February 14, 2014 (2014-02-14) (United States)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film's portrayals of sex and violence resulted in the movie gaining a NC-17 rating.[3] The film staff was given recommendations on how to change this to an R rating, but they declined because "if we recut it there won’t be any movie left".[3]

Cast

Production

Of the film, Nathan stated that he was inspired to create the movie after his writing and producing partner showed him a porn website that would invite its members to have sex on camera.[3] Nathan found it difficult to believe that the participants, who were portrayed as ordinary, were as normal as they appeared and wondered what it would be like if the "wrong guy" was hired.[3]

In keeping with the "found footage" conceit of the film, the closing credits list the fictional character Ashley Saint as one of the producers.

Reception

Critical reception for Lucky Bastard has been mixed and the film currently holds a rating of 55% on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 22 reviews) and 36 on Metacritic (based on 9 reviews).[4][5] Common elements of praise centered around the film's actors and Fangoria stated that the performances by Rue and Paulson "are a large part of what makes the main section of LUCKY BASTARD work".[6][7] Criticism for the film stemmed from what reviewers saw as a lack of tension,[8] and JoBlo.com noted that the film was largely watchable but that much of it was due to the movie's acting.[9][10] Variety panned the film, praising its technical aspects while writing that the movie was overall tedious.[11] In contrast, the Los Angeles Times gave a favorable review for Lucky Bastards and called it a "clever thriller", praising the movie's script and stating that "Although sexual activity and nudity are abundant, they rarely feel gratuitous."[12]

Awards
  • Special Jury Prize at the Monaco Film Festival (2013)[1]
  • Best Screenplay Award at the Monaco Film Festival (2013)[1]
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References
  1. "Monaco Charity Film Festival Awards 2013". Monaco Charity Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
  2. Zimmerman, Samuel. "EXCL Clip: Mike and Ashley Choose Their "LUCKY BASTARD"". Fangoria. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  3. Coleman, Jason. "Interview: 'Lucky Bastard' Helmer Robert Nathan On Bending Genres, Visual Style and Getting An NC-17". Star Pulse. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  4. "Lucky Bastard (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  5. "Lucky Bastard". Metacritic. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  6. Gingold, Michael. ""LUCKY BASTARD" (Movie Review)". Fangoria. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  7. CATSOULIS, JEANNETTE. "Fantasy Girl at Your Service". NYT. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  8. Hunt, Drew. "FILM REVIEW: Lucky Bastard". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  9. Dee, Jake. "Review: Lucky Bastard (directed by Robert Nathan)". JoBlo. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  10. DeFore, John. "Lucky Bastard: Film Review". THR. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  11. Labuza, Peter. "Film Review: 'Lucky Bastard'". Variety. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  12. Goldstein, Gary. "Review: 'Lucky Bastard' is a clever thriller set in the world of porn". LAT. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
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