New HBO drama confuses viewers | The Cavalier Daily

Sports, money and revenge come together with mixed results in HBO?s newest drama, Luck, created by Michael Mann and David Milch. Milch?s lifelong obsession with horse racing inspires the show?s portrayal of the industry both as a recreational activity and a high-stakes business.

The pilot episode opens with the release of Chester ?Ace? Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) from a three-year sentence in a federal prison in California. We quickly learn Ace plans to seek revenge against the people who put him in jail. As we watch Ace integrate back into society and the horse racing industry, the show introduces us to a host of habitual track gamblers who scheme their way into making thousands and maybe even millions of dollars on the race while they evade the ever-watchful eye of the IRS. As these central stories of suspense and intrigue play out, the show also follows the off-the-track experiences of the trainer, jockey and horse in preparation for his races.

With all of the different stories happening simultaneously, and my decided lack of horse racing knowledge, I found the show confusing.? Whenever the plot grew too difficult to follow, however, I focused instead on the stunning visuals the show provides. The setting showcases Los Angeles? truly gorgeous Santa Anita racetrack, as well as the beautiful horses used in the filming. Luck moves more quickly than the pacesetter at the Kentucky Derby, keeping you on the edge of your seat. This could be seen as either an incentive or a deterrent, depending on your interest in the sport of horse racing and your attention span. You must watch and listen closely, or you?re likely to miss something big.

Although reviews have been generally positive for the series, ratings have been lower. Luck?s problem with audiences is its shining glory to critics ? its complexity.? As a society, we expect to watch shows which spoon-feed us plot, laughs, tears, excitement and suspense.? Even good television shows do these things, attempting to appeal to the largest audience possible.

Luck works better as an art-house program than an outlet for pure entertainment. We feel the suspense during the scenes of the races on the track as we root for the horse we hope will win, but at other times the show just seems too complicated and convoluted to encourage any sort of deep emotional investment.

A new viewer may very well become completely overwhelmed by the pilot episode of Luck, as Mann and Milch introduce dozens of characters at once, further increasing the difficulty of comprehending exactly what is going on. But if you?re willing to follow closely, Luck is far from ?a bad show.? Just be sure to brace yourself before approaching the track.

Source: http://www.cavalierdaily.com/2012/02/24/new-hbo-drama-confuses-viewers/

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