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Poster for Lucky Break

Lucky Break

2001 · 1h 47m · PG-13 Comedy, Crime
Directed by Peter Cattaneo

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Overview

Half-way through his 12-year prison sentence for an incompetent armed robbery, Jimmy Hands gets a lucky break: he's transferred to a prison from which he can probably escape. He convinces the governor to stage a musical in an old chapel next to the prison's outer wall. He rounds up volunteer actors and puts his escape plan into production. Two other barriers, besides the wall, confront him: the arrival of a nasty inmate, John Toombes, who insists on joining the escape, and Jimmy's feelings of attraction for Anabel, a social worker who agrees to appear in the play. Opening night approaches: is this Jimmy's breakout performance?

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
48%
Tomatometer
Rotten

The end result is like cold porridge with only the odd enjoyably chewy lump.

John Patterson, L.A. Weekly
Rotten

The formulaic script, stocked with not one truly menacing inmate, echoes far too many sentimental post-Full Monty imports.

Loren King, Chicago Tribune
Rotten

A prison comedy that never really busts out of its comfy little cell.

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Fresh

It's what the Brits themselves might call fair to middling.

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Fresh

No worse a film than Breaking Out, and Breaking Out was utterly charming.

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

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