‘The Luckiest Man in America’: Small-Time Conman Wins Big

“The Luckiest Man in America” gets you thinking about how gaming systems are rigged and whether that automatically makes cheating acceptable.

(L–R) Brian Geraghty, Paul Walter Hauser, and Patti Garrison play contestants on "Press Your Luck," in "The Luckiest Man in America." IFC Films

R | 1h 30m | Dramedy | 2025

“The Luckiest Man in America” is based on a slightly-embellished true story that occurred in the 1980s. Paul Walter Hauser is terrific as Michael Larson, a down-on-his-luck, sheepish sad-sack of an ice-cream truck driver. Hailing from Lebanon, Ohio, he’s driven his little truck all the way to Hollywood to audition for his favorite television game show, “Press Your Luck.”