The Lucky One (2012)

Directed by: Scott Hicks | 100 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner, Riley Thomas Stewart, Jay R. Ferguson, Adam LeFevre, Robert Hayes, Joe Chrest, Russell Durham Comegys, Sharon Morris, Ann McKenzie, Kendal Tuttle

The American author Nicholas Sparks not only guarantees piles of books sold, many of his bestsellers also form the basis of successful films, which easily win over the (mainly female) audience with romantic, accessible stories. The ultimate Sparks film adaptation is of course ‘The Notebook’, in which Ryan Gosling plays one of his first leading roles. ‘The Lucky One’ is also based on Sparks’ novel of the same name (2008). In this film, we are introduced to Logan (Zac Efron), a Marine who has served in the Middle East three times. During the final mission, a strange object attracts Logan’s attention. When he walks over to pick it up, that simple act saves his life, as an explosion takes place just seconds later where he was standing. The object, a photograph of a young woman unknown to him, thus becomes his talisman and although Logan makes an effort to track down the owner in the war zone, he is unable to do so. Once back in the United States, where he is temporarily staying at his sister’s house, he cannot really settle down. The events of the war have left a deep mark, which manifests itself in post-traumatic stress-like startle reactions when his nephews play games or make other loud noises.

Logan decides to go for a walk. Not just around the block, but it runs from Colorado to Louisiana. That’s where the photo was taken, he discovered after playing for Sherlock Holmes online for a while. In the village in Louisiana he asks around and finds out that the young woman in the photo is Beth (Taylor Schilling), owner of a dog kennel. Due to a misunderstanding, Beth thinks Logan has come in because of the current vacancy for jack-of-all-trades. Intrigued by her appearance, Logan lets it be. He doesn’t have the courage to tell her the truth and takes the job. He soon meets Beth’s roommates: her grandmother Ellie (Blythe Danner) and Beth’s son Ben (Riley Thomas Stewart). Ben’s father (and Beth’s ex-husband) Keith (Jay R. Ferguson), Logan is less impressed: he’s aggressive, jealous and you can question his fitness as a parent.

What is particularly striking about ‘The Lucky One’ are the beautiful nature shots. You could almost call the film an ode to Louisiana. Thanks to the beautiful autumn colors with which the sunlight plays, the environment looks at its best. There is therefore a lot of walking through forests, playing with dogs and driving through the breathtaking landscape. But of course it’s all about the seemingly impossible love between Logan and Beth, who are made for each other, but just don’t realize it themselves. The so-called conflict that exists between them is somewhat tenuous, because why Beth should be upset about Logan having a photo of her doesn’t make sense. The second reason that is put forward to prevent the two lovers from being together hardly inspires fear. Beth’s ex would take Ben away from her if she decides to continue her fledgling relationship with Logan, but there’s no judge who can be put up for that cart, given Keith’s tantrums and rude attitude.

Still, ‘The Lucky One’ is an enjoyable movie. Zac Efron is, in addition to being particularly easy on the eyes, a fine protagonist who has a pleasant chemistry with the equally photogenic Taylor Schilling. The erotic tension between the two is mind-boggling, although the scene in which they take the proverbial bull by the horns isn’t such that you wouldn’t let your thirteen-year-old daughter watch it. The emotional baggage that the two lovebirds carry with them is admittedly not very convincing, but that is more due to the scenario than the actors who have to work with it. Scott Hicks, who previously made ‘Shine’ and ‘No Reservations’, gets the best out of his lead actors and also did a golden job when he cast Blythe Danner in the role of wise and funny grandmother Ellie, who has long understood how the film is made. to finish without having read the book. “The Lucky One” doesn’t have many surprises to offer, except for one thing: how the couple has to get rid of that annoying ex. Does he choose eggs for his money, emigrate or die or maybe it will be a threesome? Fortunately, wanting to find out doesn’t have to be the only reason to watch ‘The Lucky One’. Maybe not the pinnacle of a perfect ladies’ night movie, but if you can dream ‘The Notebook’, ‘The Lucky One’ is a very safe choice.