The Lucky Ones (2008)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Neil Burger

Writers (WGA):

Neil Burger (written by) &
Dirk Wittenborn (written by)

Release Date:

26 September 2008 (Canada)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | War

Tagline:

Sometimes losing your way home means finding yourself

Plot:

The story revolves around three soldiers -- Colee, TK and Cheever -- who return from the Iraq War after...

Plot Keywords:

Soldier | Road Trip | College Tuition | Stranded | Iraq War

Cast

Tim Robbins	...	Fred Cheaver
Rachel McAdams	...	Colee Dunn
Michael Peña	...	T.K. Poole
Molly Hagan	...	Pat Cheaver
Mark L. Young	...	Scott Cheaver
Howard Platt	...	Stan Tilson
Arden Myrin	...	Barbara Tilson
Coby Goss	...	Peter Tilson (as Coburn Goss)
John Heard	...	Bob
Jennifer Joan Taylor	...	Bob's Wife
Katherine LaNasa	...	Janet
Leo Ford	...	Janet's husband
Susan Yeagley	...	Kendra
Emily Swallow	...	Brandi
John Diehl	...	Tom Klinger
Annie Corley	...	Jeanie Klinger
Katie Korby	...	Shannon
Kirk B.R. Woller	...	Army Psychologist
James Errico	...	Soldier in Hospital
Meredith Siemsen	...	Woman in Airport
Michael Aaron Linder	...	Guy on Cellphone
Jason Knowles	...	Reporter on T.V.
Vis Brown	...	Rental Car Agent
J.D. Mathein	...	Car Dealer
Kerry Bishé	...	College Girl
Brianne Carden	...	College Girl
Sarah Steele	...	Girl with Jacket
Glen Allen Pruett	...	Carl (as Glen Pruett)
Karin McKie	...	Clinic Nurse
Anthony Irons	...	Mechanic (as Anthony Lee Irons)
Anne Jacques	...	Woman in Church
Spencer Garrett	...	Pastor Jerry Nolan
Scott Jaeck	...	Guitar Store Owner
Katherine Cuba	...	Bartender at Airport
John Hoogenakker	...	Army Recruiter
Michael A. Rizza	...	Croupier (as Michael Rizza)
Christian Stolte	...	Police Desk Sergeant
Kevin Michael Doyle	...	Detective #1
K. Todd Freeman	...	Detective #2
Tim Gamble	...	Police Captain
Rachel Foszcz	...	Caterer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sarah Arend	...	Soldier
Kelli Clevenger	...	Soldier
Cyn Dulay	...	Affluent Guest
Bryan Jensen	...	Hummer Customer
Thomas Kosik	...	Restaurant Customer
Conner Manning	...	Jesse
William Manning	...	Jesse
Jan Seybold	...	Army Nurse
Giota Trakas	...	Waitress
Darryl Villacorta	...	Soldier
Dale Ward	...	Fast-food customer
Lisa Wolf	...	Nurse
Sorin Brouwers	...	Soldier in hospital (uncredited)
Maritza Cabrera	...	Bartender (uncredited)
Shawn I. Chevalier	...	Air Canada Flight Attendant (uncredited)
Sue Durso	...	Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Carlos Michael Hagene	...	Stranded Airport Passenger (uncredited)
Joe Hammerstone	...	Stranded Airport Passenger (uncredited)
Greg Reynolds	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Amit Shah	...	Caterer (uncredited)
Malik Simmons	...	Stranded Airport Passenger (uncredited)
Jaxon Stanford	...	Stranded Airport Passenger (uncredited)
Barb J. Stroud	...	Stranded Airport Passenger (uncredited)

Directed by
Neil Burger

Writing credits (WGA)
Neil Burger		(written by) &
Dirk Wittenborn		(written by)

Produced by
Steffen Aumueller	....	executive producer
Bill Block	....	executive producer
Neil Burger	....	producer
Claus Clausen	....	executive producer
Elliot Ferwerda	....	executive producer
Marina Grasic	....	executive producer
Paul Hanson	....	executive producer
John J. Kelly	....	line producer: additional unit
Brian Koppelman	....	producer
Jan Körbelin	....	executive producer
David Levien	....	producer
Brian McCormack	....	executive producer
Adam Merims	....	executive producer
Tom Ortenberg	....	executive producer
Rick Schwartz	....	producer
Glenn M. Stewart	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Rolfe Kent

Cinematography by
Declan Quinn

Film Editing by
Naomi Geraghty

Casting by
Deborah Aquila
Claire Simon
Mary Tricia Wood

Production Design by
Leslie A. Pope
Jan Roelfs

Set Decoration by
Tanja Deshida

Costume Design by
Jenny Gering

Makeup Department
Lisa Brockman-Kalz	....	makeup artist: St. Louis
Lori Hicks	....	makeup department head
Lisa Jelic	....	makeup artist
Kayleen McAdams	....	key makeup artist
Sasha Quarles	....	hair department head
Maria Romita	....	local hair stylist
Thomas Terhaar	....	local hair stylist

Production Management
Gigi Causey	....	production supervisor
Robert Hackl	....	post-production supervisor
Philip Stilman	....	post-production supervisor: re-cut (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Timothy Bird	....	first assistant director
Mitchell Bock	....	first assistant director: New Mexico
Michelle Gonsiorek	....	second second assistant director
Heather Grierson	....	second assistant director
Keith Potter	....	second assistant director: New Mexico

Art Department
Dean DeMatteis	....	props
John Donahue	....	on-set dresser
Daniel Fisher	....	property master
Sean Gartner	....	props
Jourdan Henderson	....	art department coordinator
Kyle Holden	....	set dresser
Brent Jaimes	....	set dresser
Paul Knubley	....	assistant property master
Ellen Lampl	....	graphic designer
Chris Wolfgang Mauch	....	storyboard artist
Troy Osman	....	construction coordinator
Jim Tudor	....	set dresser
Merje Veski	....	props
Gary Wimmer	....	charge scenic
Clark Woodman	....	props

Sound Department
Shaun Brennan	....	foley artist
Stacy Brownrigg	....	production sound mixer
Rachel Chancey	....	foley engineer
Thadd Day	....	boom operator
Rusty Dunn	....	sound effects editor
Mark Filip	....	sound effects editor
Alan Freedman	....	adr mixer
Lewis Goldstein	....	sound re-recording mixer
Lewis Goldstein	....	supervising sound editor
Steve La Fayette	....	sound utility
Allen Lau	....	assistant sound editor
Nathan Lindsey	....	sound intern
Cate Montana	....	supervising adr editor
Jac Rubenstein	....	dialogue editor
Tom Ryan	....	sound intern
Michael Suarez	....	adr recordist
Bartek Swiatek	....	cable utility
Dominick Tavella	....	sound re-recording mixer
Eric Vierhaus	....	sound consultant: dolby

Special Effects by
Craig Byrom	....	special effects foreman
Elia P. Popov	....	special effects foreman

Visual Effects by
Anthony Davis	....	digital compositor: Technicolor Digital Services
John Follmer	....	visual effects producer
Vít Komrzy	....	visual effects producer
Viktor Muller	....	visual effects supervisor
Erin L. Nelson	....	digital restoration
Jan Vseticek	....	visual effects coordinator

Stunts
Gilbert B. Combs	....	stunts
Steve M. Davison	....	stunt coordinator
James Fierro	....	stunt driver
G. Peter King	....	stunt coordinator
Daniel Maldonado	....	stunt performer
Carrick O'Quinn	....	stunt driver
Alicia Skirball	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Sam Bertone	....	best boy electric
Kelly R. Borisy	....	key grip
Fernando M. Briones	....	best boy grip
Dante Cardone	....	gaffer: additional photography
Mark Castelaz	....	gaffer
Lisa Clauson	....	camera production assistant
Dawn Copeland	....	electrician
Jaime Dawkins	....	grip
Julian J. Delacruz	....	second assistant camera
Matt Dinerstein	....	still photographer
Stanley Fernandez Jr.	....	first assistant camera
Anne Freivogel	....	second assistant camera: St. Louis
Dan Gartner	....	additional electrician
Tim Hawn	....	additional electrician
Marty Hechinger	....	additional electrician
David Houlle	....	additional electrician
David Knox	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Dave Kube	....	additional grip
Oliver Larry	....	grip
Matthew LeCrone	....	electrician
Jeremy Long	....	electrician
David 'Louie' Lukasik	....	electrician
Darryl Miller	....	grip
Chris Murray	....	grip
Charles 'Chaz' Norcross	....	additional grip
Adam Reisz	....	additional grip
Chris Ryerson	....	best boy grip
Kory Salajka	....	dolly grip
Gerard Sava	....	camera operator
Stuart Slack	....	grip
Richard Speed	....	additional grip
Jeff Taylor	....	second assistant camera: re-shoot
Jerry Tran	....	electrician
Brian Wells	....	additional second assistant camera
Hunter Whalen	....	camera production assistant
Dave Wightman	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Jeff Tomcho	....	additional second assistant camera (uncredited)
Chris Wittenborn	....	camera loader (uncredited)

Casting Department
Scott Blasko	....	extras casting assistant
Tina Kerr	....	extras casting: St. Louis, Denver, Las Vegas
Garrett McGuire	....	casting associate
Teresa Thoma	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kevin Draves	....	costume supervisor
Lindsay Kouri	....	costume supervisor: second unit
Hatsephi Kushma	....	set costumer: extras
Karla Strum	....	costume intern

Editorial Department
Dana Bloder	....	digital intermediate producer
Joe Gawler	....	digital intermediate colorist
Nick Houy	....	apprentice editor
Vit Sedlacek	....	northlight operator
Arturo Sosa	....	first assistant editor
Tim Stipan	....	digital intermediate colorist
Michael P. Whipple	....	digital intermediate engineer

Music Department
Doug Bernheim	....	music supervisor
Joseph S. DeBeasi	....	music editor: temp score
Nick South	....	music editor
Greg Townley	....	scoring mixer

Transportation Department
Dan 'the Mayor' Cowden	....	transportation captain: St. Louis, MO
Jimmy Cowden	....	transportation
Glenn Korbesmeyer	....	driver: picture car
Richard Ladendecker	....	driver
Thaddeus E. Larkowski	....	transportation coordinator
Daniel Rodell	....	driver
Margo J. Zuffante	....	picture car assistant

Other crew
David E. Augustson	....	weapons
Donielle Augustson	....	weapons
Eric Bednarowicz	....	location assistant
Kit Bland	....	production assistant
J. Todd Breasseale	....	military consultant (as Maj. J. Todd Breasseale)
Mary J. Carlson	....	script supervisor
Bill Casey	....	animal handler
Jean Chien	....	assistant location manager: Chicago
David Dilley	....	set production assistant
Matthew Eberle	....	production assistant
Justin Fox	....	location production assistant (as Justin Fuchs)
Keoni Fukino	....	location assistant
Pablo Gambetta	....	additional production assistant
Liz Goldsmith	....	assistant location manager
Matthew Goodwin	....	additional production assistant
Marci Graber	....	second assistant accountant
Mike Grosky	....	location assistant: Chicago
P.J. Haines	....	caterer
Callie Hersheway	....	additional office production assistant
Eric Hingst	....	key set production assistant
Kyndall Holstead	....	production coordinator: New Mexico
Jim Jaffe	....	product placement
JoAnn Fregalette Jansen	....	movement coach
Kate Kelly	....	production coordinator
Tara Ketterer	....	stand-in
Nora Killoran	....	unit production supervisor
Robert Kreiling	....	production assistant
Robert Kreiling	....	production intern
Irec Kriske	....	set production assistant
Holly Lee	....	production secretary
Yvette Long	....	location assistant: Las Vegas
Sean Lynn	....	chef
Brendan MacDevette	....	location assistant
Brent Madison	....	additional production assistant
Tanera Marshall	....	dialect coach: Ms. McAdams
Alex McCullough	....	production assistant
Mary McGinn	....	production assistant
Christie Moreau	....	adr loop group
Rosemary Orlando	....	co-production coordinator
Joaquin Diego Prange	....	assistant location manager: las vegas
Adam Pray	....	assistant to director
Bridget Quinn	....	travel coordinator
Santiago Quinones	....	location manager: Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nevada
Christina Riegert	....	photo double
Scott Rose	....	assistant to director
Justin Ruane	....	production assistant
Aaron Z. Schor	....	office production assistant
Amy Smolev	....	first assistant accountant
Tim Territo	....	assistant location manager
Geoffrey Tippit	....	office production assistant
Saul Villarruel	....	additional office production assistant
David Dino Wells Jr.	....	extras coordinator
Joanna Wende	....	production assistant
Anna Zenner	....	set production assistant

Thanks
Christopher J. Corabi	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Overnight
• QED International
• Roadside Attractions
• Sherazade Film Development
• Visitor Pictures

Distributors

• Momentum Pictures (2008) (UK) (theatrical)
• Maple Pictures (2008) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Roadside Attractions (2008) (USA) (theatrical)
• Imagem Filmes (2009) (Brazil) (all media)
• Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD)
• Maple Pictures (2009) (Canada) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Universal Production Partners (UPP)

Other Companies

• American Roadshow Motion Picture And Television Catering  catering
• Entertainment Clearances  rights and clearances
• ExtraOrdinary Casting  extras casting
• Post Factory NY  post-production facilities

Also Known As:

The Return (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

Canada:113 min | USA:115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44062) | Canada:18A | Singapore:M18 | Australia:M | Finland:K-7

Filming Locations:

Alsip, Illinois, USA

Company:

Overnight

Trivia:

Colee talks of how T.K. and his fiancée should experiment sexually, 'by having another man with her while T.K. watches'. Later on in the film, Cheaver (accidentally) puts himself in exactly that position (having sex with a woman just as her husband enters the room).

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The tornado that Colee and T.K. encounter is strong enough to blow whole bushes away, yet the car is undamaged.

Quotes:

Colee Dunn: [sobbing]
Fred Cheaver: Listen. How about you stop crying and we will stop?
Colee Dunn: What do you mean?
Fred Cheaver: You have been wanting to sight seeing, right?
Colee Dunn: Yeah?
Fred Cheaver: Ok, so we will go somewhere, do something.
Colee Dunn: Can we have a picnic?
Fred Cheaver: pauses
T.K. Poole: Yeah, picnic, whatever.
Fred Cheaver: Yeah!

Movie Connections:

References Titanic (1997)

Soundtrack:

Constructive Summer

Our soldiers deserve more than a Thank You when they return home

(Synopsis) After recovering from their wounds in the Iraq War, three soldiers are sent back to the United States. Sgt. T.K. Poole (Michael Pena) and Pvt. Colee Dunn (Rachel McAdams) are given a 30-day leave, and Sgt. Fred Cheever (Tim Robbins) is retiring. The three soldiers now have a new mission. T.K is going home to visit his fiancée, Colee is going to return a guitar to the family of the man who saved her life, and Fred is going home to his wife in St. Louis. When they arrive at JFK Airport in New York, all fights have been canceled, because of a blackout. The three decide to rent a van and drive to St. Louis, and once there, T.K. and Colee can catch a plane to Las Vegas. What started out to be a short 14 hour trip ends up being a journey across America. Along the way, the three soldiers who had just met at JFK, become close friends.

(My Comment) This is a human interest story that explores the interpersonal aspects that war has on our soldiers, especially the ones who are injured as they return home. We learn the pitfalls of returning to this country where our soldiers are only given a token "Thank You" platitude from the public. We also see how three soldiers band together, and become in a sense a family taking care of one another. The film gives enough time in the character development of each soldier that we begin to like each soldier, and you wouldn't mind making them your friends. Their cross-county road trip is full of foolish misadventures that are memorable. For the most part, the film is serious to a point, yet it is also a comedy. I believe this small film will be one of those sleeper movies that the public will like, and it could be a hit. (QED International, Run Time 1:55, Rated R) (8/10)