After Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) loses his job and is presented with the news that his ex Bobbie Jo (Katie Holmes) plans on moving his daughter Sadie (Farrah MacKenzie) across state lines to Virginia, Logan Lucky takes us on Jimmy’s quest to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway along with his Iraq War veteran brother Clyde (Adam Driver), his sister Mellie (Riley Keough), and prison inmate Joe Bang (David Craig).
Logan Lucky is a fun heist film that also features a good amount of heart. Watching the robbery plot unfold and slowly come together bit by bit was immensely entertaining, cleverly written, and helped the film maintain a great pace. The multi-layered plan within the plot also allowed for the development of some entertaining subplots, most notably a prison break where developments within the prison eventually lead to a hilarious debate about the status of George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones book release schedule. The inclusion of the various moving parts of the robbery plan including the previously mentioned prison break, distraction of authorities, and downing of electronic transaction infrastructure could have turned unwieldy and led to a jumbled mess for the plot, but writer Rebecca Blunt’s efforts ensured that it flowed together well, was clear and concise for viewers, and remained both entertaining and relevant to the story.
Logan Lucky’s West Virginia setting led to some specific locale aspects of the film that added a nice touch as we get to see the portrayal of a region and demographic that are rarely shown on the big screen and mostly in stereotypes when they do appear. Through Jimmy Logan, we see the struggle of a West Virginian man who once thought he had a pathway out but must now deal with low-paying, unstable menial work with such little access to healthcare that he has to visit mobile health clinics. The nuanced, sympathetic portrayal of lower class Appalachia interwoven into the heist film adds a bit of complementary levity to the thrills and laughs.
Logan Lucky is a thoroughly entertaining heist film with a lot of heart that keeps you completely enthralled and invested in the characters, even rooting for them despite the feat they’re trying to pull off. In addition to its great story, the film adds a glimpse into the humanity of the people and location it portrays providing an alternate look into the lives of an oft-lampooned demographic. In the end, we’re presented with a very good film that provides a very satisfying watch that many viewers will feel compelled to revisit many times over.
Image: Bleeker Street
