Blackhawk’s account of Native Americans over the past five centuries is among five nominees for the Mark Lynton History Prize, a $10,000 award given for work which “combines intellectual distinction with felicity of expression.”

During Tuesday’s ceremony, Ekhtiari said the celebration belongs to everyone and is a symbol of “felicity, respect to humanity and nature as well as human beings .”

Through whatever felicities of matching actor to well-written role, the cast is shown off to particularly good advantage.

I wish his telescopes and mathematical instruments, however, may secure his felicity.

In other words, “Luck” takes things that are intangible — in this case, random felicity and affliction — and imagines them as palpable.