LOTTO LAND
A film review by Christopher Null
Copyright 1995 Christopher Null
There's a whole lotto lovin' goin' on in LOTTO LAND, an odd little feature from writer/director John Rubino, which explores relationships among young and old folks in Brooklyn, particularly Lotto players.
Hank (Larry Gilliard, Jr.) and Joy (Barbara Gonzalez) are about to embark on prom night. Hank's father Milt (blues legend Wendell Holmes) rediscovers long-extinguished passion with Joy's guardian Nini (Suzanne Costallos). Oh, and Joy's drunken, roller-skating, drug-dealing father just may have won $27 million in the New York Lottery. Trust me, it's not as complicated as it sounds...or as interesting.
Basically just a talky drama, LOTTO LAND has a heart of gold but is as lifeless as overcooked spaghetti. Yawns were much more common than any laughs at the screening. The acting is workmanlike, and the plot is predictable, but the movie's intentions--to tell a story of purity, romance, redemption, and modern-day chivalry--are so noble you can't help but smile and say, "How cute...."
Cute--that's the sum of it. The film never gets off the ground at all, and it seems Rubino is more intent on getting playing time for the blues musicians (including Holmes) on his soundtrack. (To be fair, the tunes are pretty good.) As a result, the movie just meanders in the undeveloped storyline and finishes up with an appropriate yet totally unfulfilling conclusion. Ho hum, no jackpot this time.
RATING: **1/2
\-------------------------------\ |* Unquestionably awful | |** Sub-par on many levels | |*** Average, hits and misses | |**** Good, memorable film | |***** Perfection | \-------------------------------\
-Christopher Null / null@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu -E-mail request to join the movie review mailing list
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