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6.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Lucky Devils remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a thing for black-and-white pre-Code Hollywood and don't mind a story that basically just moves from one stunt set-piece to the next, sure. Go for it. But if you need character arcs that go deeper than 'I don't want to get married' and 'I really love jumping out of windows,' you’re going to be bored in about ten minutes.
Lucky Devils is loud. It’s scrappy. It feels like the cast and crew were just trying to see how many bones they could rattle before the sun went down. 💥
The movie is mostly just a series of excuses to drop people off buildings. You have Skipper Clark and his buddies who seem to treat gravity as more of a suggestion than a law. The chemistry between the guys is alright, even if it feels a little forced in the quieter scenes.
There is this one moment where they drop into a convertible that felt like it took forever to set up. You can tell they were really proud of that shot. It’s charming in a way, even if the acting between the falls is pretty stiff.
I found myself wondering if these guys actually liked each other or if they just liked the danger. There’s a frantic energy here that reminds me a bit of the chaos in Rain or Shine. It’s not a masterpiece, but it doesn't try to be one either.
It’s funny how they talk about avoiding love like it’s a physical injury. They treat marriage like it's a stunt that leads to a broken neck. Maybe they aren't wrong? Who knows. 🤷♂️
The whole thing wraps up pretty fast. It doesn't overstay its welcome. If you want something that feels like a rough sketch of a life in the movies, this fits the bill. Just don't look for anything resembling high art.