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Pure Luck

Pure Luck is a directed by Nadia Tass, marking her only theatrical feature directed in the United States. The screenplay was written by and , adapting the 1981 French comedy by . Starring as the hapless accountant Eugene Proctor and as the seasoned detective Raymond Campanella, the film follows their chaotic quest in to locate Valerie Highsmith ( Kelley), the extremely unlucky daughter of a wealthy businessman (), whose penchant for misfortune rivals Eugene's own. Released by on August 9, (99 minutes, rated PG), Pure Luck blends humor with themes of and bad luck, grossing $22.6 million at the North American against a $17 million budget. The plot centers on Eugene, an cursed with perpetual misfortune—struck by lightning twice and prone to absurd accidents—who is reluctantly paired with the no-nonsense Campanella to Valerie after she vanishes during a vacation in . Their journey spirals into a series of comedic mishaps, from encounters with shady characters to perilous situations exacerbated by their combined bad luck, ultimately highlighting ironic twists of fate. Supporting roles include Scott Wilson as the criminal Frank Grimes and in a brief appearance, with the film shot primarily on location in and , , standing in for various settings. Produced by and Lance Hool under Silver Lion Films, Pure Luck features a score by , contributing to its lighthearted tone through whimsical orchestration. Upon release, the film received mixed to negative reviews, with critics like praising Short's but criticizing the script's lack of originality compared to the French source material. It holds a 21% approval rating on based on contemporary reviews, often noted for its cult appeal among fans of 1990s buddy comedies despite underwhelming commercial performance.

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

Valerie Highsmith, the daughter of wealthy businessman Highsmith, arrives in , , for a but immediately encounters a series of misfortunes due to her extreme klutziness. While on the phone with her father at the airport, she falls from a onto an below, only to be knocked unconscious by two thieves attempting to rob her room. She briefly loses her memory from the blow and is unwittingly abducted by a small-time crook named Frank Grimes, who takes her from the hotel amid her ongoing accidents. With standard search efforts failing to locate Valerie after six months, her father's , Raymond Campanella, a competent and tough detective, is assigned the case but yields no results. A consulting , Dr. Monosoff, proposes an unconventional approach based on Valerie's "coincident-misfortune syndrome," suggesting that pairing Campanella with someone equally unlucky will draw them to her through shared bad fortune. Enter Eugene Proctor, a mild-mannered plagued by perpetual mishaps—such as always selecting the broken or spilling salt at every meal—who is recruited for the mission despite his lack of investigative skills. Their mismatched dynamic, with Proctor's bumbling incompetence clashing against Campanella's no-nonsense efficiency, forms the comedic core as they embark on a pursuit through , where Proctor's bad luck repeatedly sabotages plans while inadvertently providing clues. The duo's journey begins with immediate setbacks: their luggage is damaged upon arrival, leading to a where Proctor accidentally starts a brawl by tripping into a group of locals. They track to a club, disguising themselves as , but a confrontation reveals he has handed Valerie off to a owner named to cover debts; however, is killed in a before providing more details. Arrested briefly on suspicion, they are released after Proctor's clumsiness causes a scene at the police station. Further pursuits involve near-misses with corrupt authorities, encounters with quirky locals who recount Valerie's trail of destruction, and escalating misfortunes like their breaking down in the , where Proctor disturbs a and swells dramatically from stings, or stumbling into while evading bandits. encounters, such as a snake in their vehicle and aggressive monkeys stealing supplies, heighten the chaos, with Proctor's perpetual bad luck—contrasting Campanella's attempts at control—driving humor through chases on foot, botched disguises as priests, and accidental demolitions of roadside stands. Clues eventually lead them to believe Valerie has perished in a small plane en route to , but a rural villager describes a clumsy blonde woman who accidentally set his village ablaze with a misplaced lantern, pointing to her survival. Chartering a rickety plane to the crash site, Proctor's allergies cause further swelling, forcing an . They finally discover Valerie in a remote , recovering from the crash with intact but alive and bandaged from head to toe. As the attempts to escape together—now bonded by their shared ordeals—pursuers close in, leading to a frantic getaway in a stolen boat that drifts them toward a massive . In a moment of serendipitous luck, they wash ashore safely downstream, where Valerie's memory returns, and the group reunites with Highsmith, underscoring themes of unlikely partnership triumphing over misfortune.

Cast

The principal cast of Pure Luck is led by as Eugene Proctor, a bumbling and notoriously unlucky accountant whose hapless nature drives much of the film's humor. stars opposite him as Raymond Campanella, a and highly experienced tasked with navigating the chaos. In supporting roles, Sheila Kelley portrays Valerie Highsmith, a klutzy heiress prone to mishaps; plays her concerned father, the wealthy Highsmith; and Scott Wilson appears as Frank Grimes, a opportunistic figure in the ensemble. Minor roles and cameos include as Dr. Julius Monosoff, the eccentric company psychiatrist whose insights add to the group's dynamic interactions.

Production

Development

Pure Luck originated as an American remake of the 1981 French comedy , directed by , which centers on an unlucky executive paired with a to search for a similarly jinxed missing heiress. The core premise of the duo's mishap-filled quest was retained, drawing from Veber's exploration of misfortune as a comedic force. Key creative personnel included Australian director Nadia Tass, making her only Hollywood theatrical feature, with production led by Lance Hool of Silver Lion Films and Sean Daniel of the Sean Daniel Company. Hool and Daniel secured remake rights through a negative pick-up deal with Universal Pictures, enabling the project's advancement. The script, credited to Herschel Weingrod and Timothy Harris, adapted Veber's original by relocating the primary action to Mexico—shifting from La Chèvre's French and Mexican settings—to incorporate exotic locales suited for American audiences. This change amplified buddy-comedy elements, emphasizing the contrasting personalities of the leads in a fish-out-of-water adventure. Casting focused on pairing as the hapless accountant Eugene Proctor for his signature manic comic timing with as the stoic detective Raymond Campanella to provide grounded contrast. Budget planning allocated an initial $17 million, with emphasis on scouting international sites in for authentic backdrops while managing costs through deals like Vancouver's lower production rates compared to U.S. unions.

Filming

Principal photography for Pure Luck commenced on December 17, 1990, and wrapped on March 4, 1991, spanning approximately 11 weeks. The production filmed primarily on location in , including and extensive sequences in at sites such as Juan N. Alvarez International Airport, Hotel Caleta, Hotel Cantamar, Flamingos Hotel, Barra Vieja, Pie de la Cuesta, Playa Hornos, and Playa Copacabana. Additional locations encompassed , , , where two weeks of shooting occurred, notably at involving 300 background actors for an airport sequence, and Charlotte, , . Filming in presented several logistical challenges during the 44-day on-location shoot. Nadia Tass described the local crew as uncooperative and chauvinistic, complicating the production process. David Parker contracted three weeks into filming, which impacted his ability to operate the camera steadily during certain scenes, requiring additional crew support. Actor Martin Short's luggage was damaged upon arrival, adding to minor on-set disruptions, though Short maintained high spirits through his humor and enthusiasm. The film was shot on 35mm film in color with sound, emphasizing practical comedic elements in its action sequences. David Parker served as cinematographer, capturing the vibrant Mexican locales and stunt-driven chases to balance the film's comedic tone with tension. , drawing from her background, focused on harnessing the cast's energy to navigate these challenges while preserving the story's lighthearted mishaps. Key crew contributions included composer Jonathan Sheffer, who provided the original score to underscore the film's adventurous and moments. Editor handled the pacing of the comedic stunts and sequences, ensuring the narrative's rhythm aligned with the protagonists' unlucky escapades.

Release and Distribution

Theatrical Release

Pure Luck was theatrically released in the United States by on August 9, 1991. The film had its openings in and on the same date, marking its debut as part of the summer 1991 comedy slate. A limited international rollout followed in late 1991 and early 1992, including releases in on August 9, 1991; the on November 8, 1991; on December 12, 1991; and on December 27, 1991. The film received a across 1,561 theaters in the United States. It was rated by the MPAA for mild and action sequences. Universal's promotional campaign featured trailers that highlighted the film's comedy elements, focusing on the unlikely partnership between the unlucky protagonists played by and . Marketing materials, including theatrical posters, emphasized the comedic duo of Short and Glover to attract audiences. Press activities in the summer of 1991 included interviews with director Nadia Tass and the lead actors to build anticipation for the release. The film runs 96 minutes and was presented in the standard theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1.

Box Office Performance

Pure Luck earned $22,641,969 in the United States and against a of $17 million. The film opened on August 9, 1991, across 1,561 theaters, generating $5,010,810 in its debut weekend, which accounted for 22.1% of its domestic total. Worldwide, it accumulated $24,941,969, with international markets contributing approximately $2.3 million, or 9.2% of the global gross, primarily through limited releases in and . The film's financial performance was modest, recouping its production costs but facing challenges in achieving significant profitability after accounting for distribution and marketing expenses typical for mid-budget comedies of the era. Compared to other 1991 comedies, Pure Luck underperformed notably against hits like , which grossed $124 million domestically amid stronger audience appeal. Key factors included stiff competition from blockbuster action films such as , which dominated the summer with over $520 million worldwide, as well as the film's mixed , evidenced by a 21% approval rating on . Domestically, Pure Luck experienced a steady but unremarkable theatrical run, averaging 3.9 weeks per theater and maintaining presence on screens for several months with a gradual earnings decline following its opening. This long-tail performance helped bolster its total but highlighted limited word-of-mouth momentum relative to higher-grossing contemporaries.

Home Media

The home video release of Pure Luck began with its edition, distributed by /Universal Home Video on February 13, 1992, following the film's underwhelming theatrical performance that underscored the importance of ancillary markets. A version followed shortly after on February 20, 1992, also from /Universal, catering to early adopters of high-definition analog formats. The film received its first DVD release from on January 12, 2010, presented in widescreen format without notable special features beyond standard trailers. It was later included in budget collections, such as the 2012 4-Movie Marathon: Family Comedy Collection DVD set, which bundled Pure Luck with other Universal comedies. A Blu-ray edition arrived on June 7, 2022, as part of Mill Creek Entertainment's Martin Short Double Feature set paired with Cross My Heart (1987), featuring a 1080p transfer but criticized for mediocre video quality derived from an older master. Digitally, Pure Luck became available for purchase and rental starting in the mid-2010s on platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV (formerly iTunes), and Fandango at Home, with HD downloads offered in 1080p. No significant remastering or restoration efforts have been documented for the 2020s releases. Internationally, the film saw PAL-format releases in , such as the edition from in the early 1990s, adapted for regional playback standards. Similar PAL variants appeared in and , often through local distributors handling Universal titles. No dedicated collector's editions with added commentaries or extras have been issued as of 2025.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Upon its release in 1991, Pure Luck received predominantly negative reviews from critics, earning a 21% approval rating on based on 14 reviews. Among the more positive assessments, of praised Martin Short's performance for its adept , noting that "against the odds, he makes 'Pure Luck' always painless and sometimes genuinely amusing" through his ability to elevate the material. James also highlighted Danny Glover's role as an "appropriately exasperated ," providing a solid counterpoint to Short's antics. In contrast, prominent negative critiques focused on the film's structural weaknesses. awarded it 1.5 out of 4 stars, lambasting the "predictable" plot that allowed him to anticipate developments well in advance, and describing the screenplay as disorganized with "leaden timing" and unengaging stretches. Similarly, of gave it a D−, dismissing it as a "numbingly repetitive " reliant on formulaic gags like Short's character repeatedly tripping and spilling items. Across reviews, common themes emerged in the criticism of Pure Luck's over-reliance on slapstick humor, which many found exhausting and underdeveloped, alongside uneven pacing that failed to sustain momentum. Critics frequently compared it unfavorably to the 1981 French original La Chèvre, viewing the remake as an inferior Hollywood adaptation that diluted the source material's charm with mismatched casting and sloppy execution. On a brighter note, several reviewers commended the on-screen chemistry between Short and Glover, which provided occasional sparks amid the film's broader shortcomings.

Accolades

Pure Luck received no nominations for the , despite being eligible for the 64th ceremony honoring 1991 films. The film also earned no recognition at the . It lacked nominations from major guilds, such as the or , for its performances or direction. The movie did not secure entries or honors at prominent comedy festivals, including the 1991 event. No individual cast members, including leads and , received awards tied specifically to their roles in Pure Luck.

Cultural Impact

Pure Luck has been recognized as a significant entry in the comedy genre, blending elements of mismatched partners and comedic mishaps in a way that echoes earlier films while adding its unique focus on misfortune and . This placement underscores its role as a precursor to later comedies emphasizing odd-couple dynamics, though it draws inspiration from the 1981 French film , which similarly explored themes of luck and partnership. Over the and into the , Pure Luck gained status among fans of Martin Short's manic comedic style, often cited in retrospectives as an underappreciated showcase of his talents amid a string of leads that didn't always succeed commercially. Articles and fan discussions, such as a 2017 piece framing it as a "comedic stew" of tropes and odd-couple humor, have helped elevate its profile, with viewers appreciating overlooked elements like Short's in scenes involving mishaps and chases. It appears on curated deserving cult followings, reflecting a reappraisal that values its lighthearted beyond contemporary critiques. Director Nadia has reflected on Pure Luck in later interviews as a pivotal but bittersweet project in her career, noting its strong financial performance in the U.S. market, where it generated significant revenue that she channeled into establishing the Film Studio in . Despite creative compromises—such as broadening the for audiences at the expense of deeper , which Tass felt could have enhanced the film's emotional layers—the success provided lasting residuals and opened doors for her return to projects. described it as "successful in a financial sense but not in a satisfying sense," yet acknowledged how the earnings from the 1991 production continue to support her work decades later. The film's availability on streaming platforms in the , including Prime Video, has contributed to renewed interest, allowing newer audiences to discover its nostalgic humor through accessible home viewing options. This resurgence has particularly appealed to viewers seeking retro comedies, reinforcing its place in pop culture discussions around overlooked gems from the era.

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