Is Jerry And Marge Go Large Based On A True Story? Jerry And Marge Go Large Ending Explained
by Maivizhi A | Updated Mar 06, 2023
Is Jerry and Marge Go Large based on a true story?
"Jerry & Marge Go Large" is mostly a true story, based on Jason Fagone's 2018 HuffPost article of the same name. In 2003, Jerry Selbee, who has a degree in mathematics, stumbled upon a leaflet for a state lottery game called Winfall while living with his wife, Marge, in Evart after retiring. Upon analyzing the game, Jerry realized that there was a mathematical loophole that could guarantee him winnings if he purchased enough tickets. Winfall's jackpot would "roll down" if there were no winners each week, which would increase the prize pool. This would continue until the pot reached $5 million (£4 million), and if no one matched all six numbers on their ticket, the prize would be divided among a few smaller winners who matched a majority of the winning digits.
Jerry and Marge Go Large Plot
In "Jerry & Marge Go Large," the main source of conflict arises from Tyler and Eric, two conceited students from Harvard University who discover the same lottery loophole as Jerry and decide to take advantage of it legally for their own financial benefit. With the assistance of other Harvard students and external investors, they establish their own business to ensure that all their actions are lawful. Uly Schlesinger from "Generation" plays Tyler, who is depicted as deceitful and shrewd in contrast to Jerry's composed and generous personality. As a part of the screenwriting process, it is common to incorporate fictional characters to add drama to a small film and maintain the storyline's pace. Nevertheless, in the case of Jerry & Marge Go Large, the characters of Tyler and Eric (portrayed by Cheech Manohar) are inspired by two real-life college students who actually performed most of the events depicted in the film. The characters' names have been altered, presumably for legal purposes, but they are intended to reflect James Harvey and Yuran Lu, who were students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, not Harvard.
Jerry and Marge Go Large ending explained
The ending of the documentary shows Jerry and Marge reflecting on their journey and the impact their actions had on their lives and the lives of others. They express their gratitude for the opportunities and experiences they had as a result of their winnings, but also acknowledge the negative consequences of their actions, such as the controversy they sparked and the potential harm caused to other lottery players who were affected by the changes in regulations.
Ultimately, the film ends with Jerry and Marge feeling a sense of closure and contentment with their decision to pursue their strategy for winning the lottery. They have retired comfortably and are living their lives in a peaceful and fulfilling way. The documentary also highlights the importance of ethical considerations and responsibility when it comes to making choices that impact others, even in the pursuit of personal gain.
Jerry and Marge Go Large Review
The film "Jerry & Marge Go Large" initially presents an endearing portrayal of an elderly couple who stumble into a surprising news story. Based on actual events, the story follows a married duo who exploit a fascinating flaw in a national lottery, but instead of using their winnings for personal gain, they reinvest the money back into their small Michigan community. At first, the film's charm and the sincere performances of the lead actors maintain the audience's interest. However, the movie's writer and director, Brad Copeland and David Frankel, introduce unnecessary obstacles to the protagonists in the form of a group of wealthy Harvard students who also exploit the loophole. As a result, the movie loses its appeal and becomes less engaging as it progresses towards a predictable ending. Ideally, the film should have focused on the endearing characters of Jerry and Marge and their post-lottery journey, before the story devolves into formulaic TV movie plotting.
Is Jerry and Marge Go Large based on a true story - FAQs
Yes, the film is mostly based on a true story, as it is inspired by Jason Fagone's 2018 article for HuffPost about the couple's experience winning millions in a lottery game.
Jerry discovered that there was a mathematical loophole in the Winfall lottery game that could guarantee him winnings if he purchased enough tickets. The jackpot would "roll down" if there were no winners each week, which would increase the prize pool. This would continue until the pot reached $5 million, and if no one matched all six numbers on their ticket, the prize would be divided among a few smaller winners who matched a majority of the winning digits.
Tyler and Eric are fictional characters added to the film to create additional conflict and drama. However, they are inspired by two real-life college students, James Harvey and Yuran Lu, who actually performed most of the events depicted in the film.
The film ends with Jerry and Marge reflecting on their journey and expressing their gratitude for the opportunities and experiences they had as a result of their winnings.
Instead of using their winnings for personal gain, Jerry and Marge reinvested the money back into their small Michigan community. They donated to local charities and organizations, funded scholarships, and helped establish a farmers' market to support local growers.