raykonig

I began watching this movie with low expectations, only to learn that this is a surprisingly good movie. To offer a spoiler-free summary: an obnoxious customer scans a lottery ticket and learns that he is holding a winning ticket worth $156 million. Another customer attempts to steal the ticket, triggering an unexpected series of events with a decent amount of suspense, action, and violence. The script is loaded with surprises and the ending, within the context established by this script, is plausible and rewarding. Great writing by Daniel Brown (director, writer, producer). Solid acting from the cast, perhaps especially from Jessica Garza and Mousa Hussein Kraish.

Many of the most negative reviews that have been posted here have the same keywords, the same key phrases, and criticize the same talking points, as if a single person wrote multiple reviews as a personal vendetta, for whatever reason. This movie is actually pretty enjoyable. It's an intentionally mindless farce comedy with some original ideas, great character actors, and novel plot twists. Peter Dinklage and Josh Brolin have natural chemistry and great dialogue to work with. Perhaps they were allowed to improvise some of their exchanges. Brendan Fraser plays his character perfectly, note for note, and seems to be having a great time. M. Emmet Walsh appears in a few scenes, just long enough to remind people that he is a king of character actors. It's a mindless comedy that is intentionally ridiculous, and it works.