The Lucky One (2012)

A Marine travels to Louisiana after serving three tours in Iraq and searches for the unknown woman he believes was his good luck charm during the war.

Director:

Scott Hicks

Writers:

Will Fetters (screenplay), Nicholas Sparks (novel)

Stars:

Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner

5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zac Efron	...	Logan
Taylor Schilling	...	Beth
Blythe Danner	...	Ellie
Riley Thomas Stewart	...	Ben
Jay R. Ferguson	...	Keith Clayton
Adam LeFevre	...	Judge Clayton
Robert Hayes	...	Victor (as Robert Terrell Hayes)
Joe Chrest	...	Deputy Moore
Russell Durham Comegys	...	Roger Lyle (as Russ Comegys)
Sharon Conley	...	Principal Miller (as Sharon Morris)
Ann McKenzie	...	Charlotte Clayton
Kendal Tuttle	...	Aces
Cameron Banfield	...	Younger Marine
Ritchie Montgomery	...	Cottage Owner
Courtney James Clark	...	Logan's Sister (as Courtney J. Clark)

Storyline

Logan is a marine serving in Iraq. While there, he finds a photo of a girl with "keep safe" written on the back. He is admiring it when his unit is attacked. He survives and credits the photo for saving him. He tries to find the owner but can't, assuming he was killed. When he goes back to the States, he finds it difficult to adjust and is still haunted by what happened. Analyzing the photo, he finds in the background a landmark that tells him she is in Louisiana. He then goes there and finds her. He learns her name is Beth. He tries to tell her what happened but can't get the words out. She assumes he's there to apply for the job they advertised looking for someone to help at her family's business, a dog kennel. He says yes but at first she gets an uneasy feeling from him but her grandmother decides to give him a chance. It isn't long that he makes a connection with her son. He then discovers that it was her brother who had the picture only he doesn't remember him. He sees that her ...

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Plot Keywords:

post traumatic stress disorder | arrogance | disarming someone | child in peril | father figure | 

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Taglines:

From the acclaimed bestselling author of The Notebook and Dear John

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence

Details

Official Sites:

Kojo [Australia] Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cuando te encuentre

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,518,358, 22 April 2012, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$60,457,138

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$99,357,138

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures, DiNovi Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The seventh movie adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel.

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Goofs

Beth's piano, which was covered-up and apparently not used for a long time, was absolutely perfectly in tune when Logan plays it. Pianos do not hold their tune like this.

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Quotes

Beth: What kind of a person drives from Colorado to Louisiana to work in a dog kennel?
Logan: I couldn't tell you. I walked.
Beth: You walked? You walked here from Colorado?
Logan: I like to walk.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.120 (2012)

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Soundtracks

You Know It's True
Written and performed by Jules Larson

User Reviews

LOVED this movie!!

I watched this movie on Memorial Day, and was reminded all over again that freedom isn't free. So if you are a past or present member of any branch of the US Armed Forces, or if your loved one has paid the ultimate sacrifice with their life, fighting for our freedom, please accept my heartfelt thanks.

I LOVED this movie. Everyone did an excellent job with their character – especially with Logan. So much feeling and emotion in his expression and actions, even when no words were needed. I felt like I could see into his very soul. I saw a young man who still can hardly grasp the fact that he has survived 3 tours of war in the middle east, when many of his comrades didn't come home. You can sense the depth of emotion and turmoil, and can easily understand why it was often hard to just find words to express himself. You can see the military training and discipline, the steel resolve to control his reactions, even when harassed by the town bully/ex-husband. There's also loyalty, concern for others, tenderness, selflessness, willingness to work hard – he's the man of every woman's dream!

It's easy to see that Beth is a survivor of an extremely abusive marriage. Even though she's now divorced, she's still not free from the abusive and controlling ex-husband. She's very careful in how she responds or endures his abusive threats, in order to keep him from going into a greater rage… and I cheered for her when she finally found the courage to speak up and take control of her own destiny.

Keith, the ex-husband, is easy to despise, for his hateful, snarly, manipulating character… and yet in the end we saw a little glimpse of good in his soul as well… a little glimpse of what he might have been if he'd only been willing to humble himself and get help much earlier.

I loved the happy ending, I loved the story, and I very much appreciated that the producers kept it clean. I can't wait for the DVD – this is a keeper!!