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Season 1 – Luck

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Luck 2012 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 50 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
A three-year stay in federal prison has given Chester "Ace" Bernstein plenty of time to think, and what he devises upon his release is a revenge plot against the colleagues who betrayed him. With the help of his trusted bodyguard and driver, Gus, who acts as a front for his race horse investment, Ace seeks to reverse the sad-sack fortunes of a famous racetrack. A key to the plan is held by Turo Escalante, a talented self-made trainer with a questionable character, who takes on the job of training Ace's colt. The series, from "Deadwood" creator David Milch and director Michael Mann, stars Dustin Hoffman as Ace, Dennis Farina as Gus and Nick Nolte as veteran trainer-turned-owner Walter Smith. The cast also includes Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, who plays a grizzled rider with a love for Jack Daniels.
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Luck — Season 1

Luck — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

With its outstanding ensemble cast, immersive atmosphere, and terrific cinematography, Luck is a well-pedigreed series that takes its time but is ultimately absorbing.

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Critics Reviews

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Hugh Montgomery Independent (UK) Perhaps this preponderance of heavyweight talent is part of the problem. Certainly, the opener seemed hobbled by an unchecked self-regard that rendered it both overemphatic and unintelligible. Jun 13, 2018 Full Review Terry Curtis Fox IndieWire Luck has massive amounts of verisimilitude but only occasionally comes to life. Jun 13, 2018 Full Review Stuart Jeffries Guardian For the moment it feels as though we viewers are mostly investing in loss, gambling that all the bafflement will be redeemed before the finale. Jun 13, 2018 Full Review Chris Swanson What Culture I'm still more than a little lost at sea, but I've never been so entertained while being so very uncertain as to what I'm seeing. Rated: 4/5 Jun 13, 2018 Full Review Adam Newland TV Equals It seems that Luck may be an acquired taste, but it's one worth acquiring. Jun 13, 2018 Full Review Sandrine Sahakians TV Equals I guess I can't resist a character study after all even if I don't understand most of what's going on. Jun 13, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member I love this worked at many big and small racetracks , I did the real work of food and beverage , also fun stories . Horses die everyday at race tracks , when they break a leg they are humanely put down immediately , why is PETA upset that a legal profession is unjust , as accidents happen . I hate only one season , great stories actors action Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Luck? Not for the horses murdered on set. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Brilliant. HBO cancelled this masterwork because the hypocrites over at PETA complained about three horses dying while on set. Does HBO and PETA both know how many animals have to die to make film for most of these shows to be shot on? So by this loony logic, should HBO stop shooting TV shows and PETA protest every single television show and movie that is shot on film? Come on HBO, Milch gave us so many tremendous characters only for you to cancel the show over mystifying reasons? "Luck" should be seen, regardless, for its intricate and dense storytelling and characters, a good roster of directors, excellent soundtrack, a cast that had not one weak link, and plenty of the usual Milch trademarks spanning philosophy to history to a vile and intelligent worldview and so on. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member It was awesome until it lasted Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Luck — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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David Milch

Creator

Dustin Hoffman

Chester "Ace" Bernstein

Dennis Farina

Gus Demitriou

John Ortiz

Turo Escalante

Kevin Dunn

Marcus

Richard Kind

Joey Rathburn

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 29, 2012 Pilot Ace Bernstein is released from prison after three years; four racetrack junkies make a bet that could be worth millions. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 5, 2012 Ace meets with a potential investor; Renzo makes a claim on a horse; Lonnie spends time with two unscrupulous women; Walter Smith finds a jockey for his thoroughbred. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 12, 2012 Ace meets with a talented whiz kid; Walter loses Ronnie as a rider; Marcus, Renzo and Lonnie send Jerry to buy a horse. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 19, 2012 Jerry's partners try to keep him from his poker nemesis; Ace meets with a colleague; Leon deals with weight issues. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 26, 2012 Ace forces Escalante to swap jockeys; Marcus fears for his future; Kagle looks for a handout; Ace gives Claire a lucky check. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 4, 2012 Ace pitches a deal to buy a piece of the racetrack; Israel becomes an informant; Joey's depression turns lethal. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 11, 2012 Ace and Claire tour a horse farm; Jerry tries to get into a poker tournament; Lonnie claims another Escalante horse; Rosie asks Joey to be her advocate; Ronnie tries to get his life back on track. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 18, 2012 Ace counters Smythe's move with his own; Walter's horse heads for a showdown with Ace and Gus' horse; Rosie benefits from Leon's loss. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 25, 2012 Gus tries to protect his boss; Renzo's mother comes to town; two prized colts go head-to-head in an epic showdown. Details

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Luck — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Michael Mann
Creator
David Milch
Executive Producer
David Milch, Michael Mann, Carolyn Strauss
Screenwriter
David Milch
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 29, 2012