Lucky Numbers

A point-for-point hybrid of A Simple Plan and the excruciating Very Bad Things, the new comedy Lucky Numbers has plenty of the latter's mean spirit, with none of the former's potent morality play. Russ Richards (John Travolta, continuing his systematic professional self-destruction) is a small-town bigshot television celebrity mired in debt. At the suggestion of a local strip club manager (Tim Roth, in a useless role), Richards hatches a half-brained scheme to rig the state lottery with the assistance of the station's Lotto girl and resident slut (ditzy Lisa Kudrow, bitchy and mean this time). The plot congeals rather than thickens, and various other characters meet violent ends as mediocre small-town satire sours into a bad attempt at black comedy.

None of the characters are particularly likable, and the script fails to deliver sharp dialogue or even an exciting climax. Travolta's intelligent, charismatic presence is wasted, and promising talent like Kudrow and Roth still can't get a real chance. Director Nora Ephron (You've Got Mail, Sleepless In Seattle) should stick to doe-eyed blondes in mid-life romantic crises.