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The Lucky One (2012)

Director: Scott Hicks

Time Out rating

Average user rating

5 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

It was only a matter of time before Zac Efron was enlisted for an adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks romantic novel. Here, he’s Logan, a marine who dodged death in Iraq in a chain of events involving a photo of a stranger, Beth (Taylor Schilling). Tracking her down, Logan gets a job at Beth’s family-run kennels. As they grow close, he feels unable to reveal the story behind the photo – he doesn’t want to be taken for a superstitious stalker, after all.

While frustrating, this deception lends tension to an otherwise routine melodrama: Schilling and Efron lack chemistry and the dialogue is perfunctory. Efron is fine (arguably more interesting in the wartime flashbacks) and Blythe Danner is likeable as Beth’s mother. There’s also a cute kid and an abusive ex to hate. But even taken as simple schmaltz, ‘The Lucky One’ lacks the romantic impact of the adaptation of Sparks’s ‘The Notebook’ or even the Channing Tatum-starrer ‘Dear John’.

Author: Anna Smith

Time Out London Issue 2176 May 3-9 2012

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User reviews of this film

scrumpyjack said...

Posted on May 24 2012 02:08 oh the horrors of BORE! Some nice photography saves it from being my first choice film of the year turd.....ewll done Radcliffe! 3/10

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Aimee said...

Posted on May 16 2012 19:29 This film is pure escapism with a surprisingly and mature acting performance by Zac Efron and believeably touching performance from Taylor Schilling who has an uncanny resemblence to Katy Perry. Okay its cheesy and predictable, Boy meets girl and falls in love a bit of trouble from a mean Ex, but it ends with w reunion into the sunset type ending. However what I loved about this movie was the sadness and realness of the story which touch on big issues, such as war, death,grief and loss and destiny. Yes its romantic and I suspect like Sex in the City there will be a gender divide with this one a bit like marmite you'll either love it for the romance and the obvious eye candy appeal of Mr Efron, all buffed up and looking older or you will simply hate it because your girlfriend dragged you along to see it as I'm guessing why whenever a male reviews this film its universially slatted. This is a chick flick which will warm the romantics and get up the noses of the cynics. On balance it was entertaining and a nice bit of cheesy entertainment which in these recessionary times isn't so harmful.

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USMAN LATIF KHAWAJA said...

Posted on May 07 2012 12:03 terrible trash -will put even insomniacs to sleep

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Ian said...

Posted on May 06 2012 17:00 Another painting by numbers clicheathon where the first cliche is hit in the opening voice over. From then an hour and three quarters of schmaltz follows where every possible cliche in sickly rom coms is hit with all the subtly of a baseball bat over the head.
Just when you think the cliches can't become any more blunt the director pours on another layer of sugar coated rubbish.
I must stop going to see Sparkes adaptions because it only encourages them.
One to miss for all men unless forced by a very insistent partner.
A little better than 1 stars but not quite a full 2 stars.

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ARCHGATE said...

Posted on May 02 2012 23:09 This film is, without a shadow of a doubting thomas, one of the worst films of the last 20 years to hit the big screen. The script is woeful - wafer thin and lacking in quality. There is zero chemistry between the Zack and the gal. However, it was the intrusive music which drove me out of the cinema after less than an hour. I look forward to the reviews of younger reviewers.

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