Lucky

Belgium is the Canada of France: the people are cooler, their sense of humor is better and the food--well, the people are cooler. Belgian comedies are a frequent favorite of mine as they eschew formula and avoid slapstick, choosing instead to celebrate the quirky and embrace the offbeat. The good news is Belgian written and directed _Lucky_ is neither slapstick nor formulaic. Sadly, though, it's also not quirky, offbeat or...funny. Counting on the audience to root for unpalatable characters, yet without offering a reason to do so, and not including any real jokes means the only thing the audience is left with is the endearing performance of ubiquitous actor Alban Ivanov and that of consistently underrated Sarah Suco. Along with funny man Michaël Youn, their screen time helps pass the time, but does little too cushion the letdown.