What is there left to say about HBO productions? That they're gorgeously shot, impeccably acted and ingeniously scripted? That they've got more star power than a $35,800−per−plate Obama fundraiser? At this point, all of this is a given, and HBO's new series, "Luck," certainly adheres to the network's golden standard. How is it cosmically possible, then, for such a perfectly crafted show to be so outrageously boring?
Sure, the cinematography is astonishing — director and executive producer Michael Mann ("Last of the Mohicans" (1992) and "Public Enemies" (2009)), has seen to that. Plus, "Luck" boasts arguably HBO's single greatest writer of all time in David Milch, creator of "Deadwood" (2004−2006). As for the acting? Only one name is necessary to draw in audiences: Dustin Hoffman.
The show centers on Hoffman's mobster hijinks at a California racetrack after his release from a three−year prison sentence, though it takes four episodes for viewers to discern that small amount of plot information. "Luck" also highlights other goings−on in the racing world: racism among trainers, hardships among gamblers and old people talking about horses as if they are people.
So where exactly does "Luck" go wrong? For starters, horse racing is a pretty niche subject. Most Americans only pay attention to racing three times out of the year — during the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and … what was that last one? Still, this was an opportunity for Milch, a thoroughbred owner himself, to bring the exciting world of the racetrack to the forefront of popular culture. Instead, he created yet another slow cooker about seedy gangsters, a subject that has definitely never been breached by HBO before, especially not on programs like "Boardwalk Empire" and "The Sopranos" (1999−2007).
Here's the real problem: Hoffman is old. His co−star, Nick Nolte, is old. Dennis Farina, in a dramatic career shift that finds him playing yet another mobster (this time Greek!), is also old. The youngest lead actor on "Luck" is in his 40s, and you've probably never heard of him (John Ortiz, anyone?). Clearly, HBO knows its adrenaline−seeking demographic of upper middle−class, New York−based subscribers very well.
This is not to say that there aren't moments of pure blood−pumping excitement — every race is exhilaratingly portrayed, and every win feels like a Triple Crown victory. Still, for each episode's two minutes of elation, there are 10 minutes of Nolte talking to a horse. No, that can't be right; "talking" implies that Nolte says more than three words per minute. And just when you thought the show couldn't move any more slowly, they add a scene of trainers euthanizing a horse to an entire SigurRós song. However artistically the scene may have been shot, it didn't do too much to imject some much−needed life into the show.
That said, "Luck" still may be worth following to the bitter end. After all, this is David Milch we're talking about! He likes to take his time to get things moving and, truth be told, his products almost always end up worth the wait ... Except for "John from Cincinnati" (2007). Ouch! And who knows, the show might introduce a seductive woman or two. Plus, Michael Gambon just joined the cast and, though he is also incredibly old, at least he was Dumbledore.
Either way, it's a better way to stave off the cold until "Game of Thrones" returns than watching "Pan Am" or whatever garbage the major networks are pushing these days.
"Luck" airs every Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO, and every episode so far is available online at HBO GO for those who have parents who are subscribers or pay for the service themselves.
