Movie Review: The Lucky One

As the big romantic drama film opening this weekend, The Lucky One puts the ever-so-hunky Zac Efron in a leading role once again. Though this time, it’s behind a Nicholas Sparks’s book, so already hopes are high that it’ll be a teak (and heart)-jerker. Persuaded by a couple friends for an adventure out to see it, the theater was packed and the lights had finally dimmed…

Summary: Having never read the book and only partially paying attention to the trailer when it played on TV, the movie is basically about: “U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Zac Efron) returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alive–a photograph he found of a woman he doesn’t even know. Learning her name is Beth (Taylor Schilling) and where she lives, he shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Despite her initial mistrust and the complications in her life, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.” Thank you Warner Bros. but it’s pretty much on point to that, though it’s pretty straightforward to follow the movie even without knowing the plot beforehand.

Lovey enough to hit your desires for a romantic movie, though with how the plot played out in the movie, I had hoped that it would leave me a touch more satisfied. Though with intel from my friend that read the book, they ended up leaving out a lot of little details that might have been the thing to give it more depth. But on its own, it’s pretty great. Zac’s muscle-y and shirtless scenes helped a lot too. Especially to…pay attention. Not to mention all the cute ovary-hurting scenes that Zac’s character, Logan, had with Ben (Beth’s kid). And all of his lolzy quips that brought a nice comic relief moment for all the angsty moments and frustrating waiting for Logan and Beth to get together. The grandma too! But hers were mostly innuendos though she was definitely on Team LoganxBeth from the beginning, which makes it fun since she comments what you want to yell to them through the movie screen.

Other Thoughts: Highly enjoyable movie that doesn’t really involve much to follow, which can be good or bad, depending on the movie mood you’re in. And even though I had started with the mindset that Schilling for the female lead seemed a bit old and like this was going to be a really mismatch couple…I’m glad that I was mostly convinced as the movie played on, since Efron’s rugged and scruffly looks prompted a more manly image for him vs. the teen roles that we’re probably all used to seeing him in. If anything, he really shows off his handsome looks and body enough throughout the movie. And the one scene that I was glad to have happened…because “he” (not Efron but don’t want to spoil) was a jerk.

Overall, I’d give it a 8.5/10 as a good romantic drama movie to get your mind off any real-life stresses or etc. Though if you’re looking for a super complicated storyline, this isn’t it, since it does end up a bit predictable if you’ve watched your share of romantic movies/shows.

Official Trailer: