The Lucky One

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The Lucky One

PG-13

2012

1h 41m

Drama

Romance

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20%

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146 Reviews

67%

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100,000+ Ratings

U.S. Marine Sgt. Logan Thibault (Zac Efron) returns home from his third tour of duty in Iraq with the one thing he believes kept him alive: a photograph of a woman he doesn't even know. He learns the woman's name is Beth (Taylor Schilling) and goes to meet her, eventually taking a job at her family-run kennel. Though Beth is full of mistrust and leads a complicated life, a romance blooms, giving Logan hope that Beth could become more than just his good-luck charm.

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Critics Consensus

While it provides the requisite amount of escapist melodrama, The Lucky One ultimately relies on too many schmaltzy clichés to appeal to anyone not already familiar with the Nicholas Sparks formula.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

After this performance no further evidence is needed of Efron's ability to do vulnerability and puppy love - we're ready now to see whether he can show any bite.

Rated: 3/5

May 4, 2012

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

A tsunami of syrup and a Niagara of nonsense here in this mind-blowingly ridiculous romdram...

Rated: 1/5

May 3, 2012

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Robbie Collin

Daily Telegraph (UK)

[Efron] sells it almost single-handedly through sheer force of scrumminess.

Rated: 3/5

May 3, 2012

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Efron is subdued to a fault and he is constantly shot as if posing for Tiger Beat. Schilling is the opposite. Her performance is a bit manic, constantly shifting between her spunky independence and hypnotic lusty gazing.

Rated: 1.5/5

Aug 23, 2022

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

More gloopy romantic slush from the piffling pen of author Nicholas Sparks.

Rated: 1.5/5

Oct 1, 2020

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

It's doubtful that it will elicit a strong response either from its defenders or its detractors.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 15, 2020

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Todd T

While some of the critics who wrote reviews about this movie call it a slushie sappy rehashed feel good movie, I totally disagree. While I may not have a column or a blog that people read, I consider myself to be somewhat literate and an avid movie watcher. This is more than I feel good movie, and lightly touches on the subject of divine intervention. It leaves us with a positive feeling wondering if something else might be guiding us through life. In my opinion, it is very cleverly written and not a rehash of any movie that I have ever seen. This is definitely a must-see movie that anyone who watches it will enjoy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/25

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Laura F

The 2 stars are for Zac Efron, he made watching this bearable! Terrible acting by Taylor Schilling, Awful, who the hell cast her as a leading lady?, needs sacking!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/24/25

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Audience Member

Solid movie, touches on the horror of war and the strength of the soldiers that fight them.Taylor Schillings character is a tough, confident, beautiful, pragmatic small business owner that is believable and fresh. Zac Effron does great at expressing his shy character through his body language. He is a masterful actor. It's a great date movie. Become a sparker like me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

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Alexander M

it was a good movie, mostly cry in some scenes but this movie is really beautiful

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/04/25

Full Review

Lily F

A lovely romance. I really enjoyed it. I thought Zac Efron was really good and you feel his characters energy as a soldier of war. A nice film to watch that entertains and you feel happy at the end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/03/24

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Lanfranco C

The pursuit of happiness following a photo

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/23/23

Full Review

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Scott Hicks

Director

Zac Efron

Logan Thibault

Taylor Schilling

Beth

Blythe Danner

Ellie

Riley Thomas Stewart

Ben

Jay R. Ferguson

Keith Clayton

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Synopsis

U.S. Marine Sgt. Logan Thibault (Zac Efron) returns home from his third tour of duty in Iraq with the one thing he believes kept him alive: a photograph of a woman he doesn't even know. He learns the woman's name is Beth (Taylor Schilling) and goes to meet her, eventually taking a job at her family-run kennel. Though Beth is full of mistrust and leads a complicated life, a romance blooms, giving Logan hope that Beth could become more than just his good-luck charm.

Director: Scott Hicks
Producer: Denise Di Novi, Kevin McCormick
Screenwriter: Will Fetters, Nicholas Sparks
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: DiNovi Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 20, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $60.4M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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