Movie Review: The Lucky One (2012)

Synopsis: While serving in Iraq, Logan comes across a photo of a mystery woman. Soon after, he survives multiple situations that should have killed him and believes the photo, or possibly the woman in it, is a good luck charm. When he returns to the United States, Logan travels to Louisiana to find the woman and thank and falls in love.

Who's in it? The movie stars Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner, Riley Thomas Stewart and Jay Ferguson.

Review: I don't normally watch romantic movies without my wife but do occasionally come across one that seems interesting enough to give a try even if she isn't in the room with me. That was the case with The Lucky One. Unfortunately, it ended up being a disappointment.

Let me start out by saying I didn't think this was a bad movie. As far as romance films go, it was OK. The reason I thought it was a disappointment is it had the potential to be so much more than it was.

The part about Logan (Efron) finding the photograph and having unbelievable luck right after was intriguing. So was the part about him deciding to track down the woman in the photograph so he could meet her and thank her for saving his life. Sadly though, the writers seemed almost afraid to capitalize on that and, instead of giving us something unique, settled for a movie that was mostly a paint-by-the-numbers romance film.

First, it was way too easy for Logan to find Beth (Schilling). It barely took any time at all, robbing the viewer of what could have been a compelling mystery. Once he does meet Beth, it becomes about as predictable as you can get. Guy meets girl and, for reasons I still don't fully understand, decides not to tell her the full truth about who he is. They fall in love because he's a completely amazing guy. That relationship is nearly derailed both because she learns the truth and she has a jealous, interfering ex, and then they make up. Other than the names and a few details, literally the plot of most romance movies.

Here's how I would have written this movie. The photograph (spoiler) turns out to have belonged to Beth's brother, who was killed in Iraq. He would have been the main character in my version of the story, secretly saving Logan's life from beyond the grave and helping guide him to Beth because he believes Logan and her belong together and can help each other heal. To add some additional drama, you could have him refusing to cross over until he knows they will live happily ever after.

Would my version be 100 percent unique? No. It would, however, at least offered something reasonably different than what was ultimately a decent but forgettable film.

Final Opinion: If you like OK but not necessarily unique romance movies, it's an OK choice. I just wish someone would have taken it in a different direction.

My Grade: C

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Here are some reviews of other romantic movies:

Movie Review: The Lost Husband (2020)

Movie Review: You're Bacon Me Crazy (2020)

Movie Review: A Week in Paradise (2022)

Movie Review: Hard to Get (1938)