The Lucky One

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The Lucky One

PG-13

2012

1h 41m

Drama

Romance

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Popcornmeter

20%

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146 Reviews

67%

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100,000+ Ratings

U.S. Marine Sgt. Logan Thibault 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 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.

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

05/04/2012

3/5

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.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

05/03/2012

1/5

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

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Robbie Collin

Daily Telegraph (UK)

05/03/2012

3/5

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

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/23/2022

1.5/5

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.

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

10/01/2020

1.5/5

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

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/15/2020

2.5/4.0

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

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Kim K

@RT66608143 Mar 23

I read the book because the main character Elizabeth was so unreasonably upset over the maile finding her photo and it's like the movie the actress or screenwriter sent the wrong message. I'm still reading the book. I'm not sure yet if the hat part would make sense and come together. However a two star because half way through the book, I wished they would have faded in and out tothe beginning of the book . The reader would have known the main character more thoroughly. He is a strong character. Not a brooding one. The film made him gloss the top and insignigicant. Let him dominate the story. And fade in and out so u can see him. The film left out substance. The grandma and Clayton was like in the book The girl was was no Farah fawcette . Knock out like in the story

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Amanda J.

@akjones Mar 21

Your typical cliche romance movie, but so good!! Also the chemistry is crazy between the two!

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Todd T

@RT49849507 Oct 11

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.

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Laura F

@RT44849609 Sep 24

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!

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R T

@RT15385128 Aug 13

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.

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Alexander M

@RT84065139 03/04/2025

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

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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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Critics Consensus: The Lucky One Can’t Catch a Break

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Synopsis

U.S. Marine Sgt. Logan Thibault 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 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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