Pure Luck

An heiress vanishes while traveling in Mexico, and the search by conventional methods proves fruitless. A psychologist reasons that bad luck is a magnet for trouble and maybe the right kind of misfortune can draw the missing woman out. He convinces the girl's father to dispatch his most unlucky employee, a cautious accountant, to track her down. The plan hinges on a twist of fate rather than charm, letting a string of misfires, near misses, and comic reversals become the detective tool. As the office drone navigates sun drenched border towns, luck, good or bad, begins to tilt the odds in unexpected ways. Its humor grows from mishaps and near misses rather than big stunts, giving the film a grounded, human texture.

Released in 1991 and directed by Nadia Tass, Pure Luck carries a screenplay by Timothy Harris, Herschel Weingrod and Francis Veber, marking a cross cultural collaboration that nods to Veber's comedy sensibilities and to the era's interest in worldwide humor.

On the money side Pure Luck posted a gross around 24.9 million against a 17 million budget, reflecting a modest commercial performance for a Martin Short led comedy of its era, and signaling a niche appeal beyond its core audience.

Pure Luck does not loom large in film history, but it sits among 90s comedies that pair witty performers with steady leads. The pairing of Martin Short's energy and Danny Glover's calm humor reflects a transitional moment in genre mixing, and it hints at how luck stories travel across borders.

Critical reception was mixed, praising the performances while noting uneven pacing and tonal shifts. The film's themes revolve around luck and competence, showing how a hero can alter a rescue mission through persistence and a blend of awkward charm and sincerity. Audiences varied, yet many appreciated charm amid screwball antics.