The Lucky One

PG-13

Released Apr 20, 2012

1h 41m

Drama

Romance

List

20%

Tomatometer

148 Reviews

67%

Audience Score

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Robbie Collin

Daily Telegraph (UK)

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

Rated: 3/5

May 3, 2012

Full Review

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

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

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

Rated: 1.5/5

Oct 1, 2020

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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

Full Review

Lanfranco C

The pursuit of happiness following a photo

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/23/23

Full Review

peter S

I am a sucker for Zac Efron, what can I say. Action, good looking people, humour and romace at its best. Loved it. Don't be put off by the low ratings from critics. Their job description says no fun and light romantic movie shall rate high.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/08/23

Full Review

Michael T

The critics were right on this one. A weak script and slow moving story drove this one into the ground. The climax was particularly preposterous. The performances were OK, but the actors didn't have much to work with.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/23

Full Review

Kimshe B

it dont want to play

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/26/23

Full Review

Henrik S

It is a visually stunning and well-made romance film that explores themes of destiny, second chances, and love. The emotional complexities of the characters create a profound sense of empathy and investment in their journeys. With exceptional performances and an enchanting setting, the film delivers a heartfelt story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/11/23

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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