The Lucky One

One thing that has always amazed me with films that are based on a Nicholas Sparks novel is that they are usually better than I always expect. Look at his past and you'll see-- "The Notebook" '04, "Dear John" '10 and "The Last Song" '10. All these films, however weren't great films, they certainly were good films. Typically romantic drama films usually aren't well executed, but with the premises Sparks give are usually ones that attract people to the multiplex.

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. He saw the photograph glimmering in sun amongst the rubble. When he approached the picture, a bomb exploded behind him.
After searching the Internet, he discovers her name is Beth (Taylor Schilling) and where she resides. He shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel/training facility for dogs also run by Beth's grandmother, Ellie (Blythe Danner). Despite her initial mistrust and the complications of life in raising her son, Ben (Riley Thomas Stewart) and dealing with her ex-husband, Keith Clayton (Jay R. Ferguson), a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

Others to round out the cast are Adam LeFevre as Judge Clayton, Keith's dad, Robert Hayes as Victor, and Joe Chrest as Deputy Moore.

The pacing of this was well executed by director Scott Hicks ("The Wanderer" '74, "Down the Wind" '75, "Freedom" '82, "Sebastian and the Sparrow" '88, "Call Me Mr. Brown" '90, "Shine" '96, "Snow Falling on Cedars" '99, "Hearts in Atlantis" '01, "No Reservations" '07, "The Boys are Back" '09).The way he got Efron to represent himself as this marine with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disease) without him looking psychotic was very effective. This was written by Will Fetters based on a Sparks novel.

If you liked the aforementioned films, you'll love this. But even if you're not particularly into this genre, because of Sparks' premise, it will still hold your interest even though you think you shouldn't like this.

Out of 4 stars: 3.5                     Rated: PG-13                       101min.