The Lucky Ones

A solid cast with a middle of the road script that tries to show us the struggle of returning home. It never quite picks an identity and never quite gives resonance to the characters that needed it. The actors do a fine job but it's the script and the lack of decision making by the writers that failed to allow this movie to become something bigger than it was.

Nothing in the writing of this film is very novel or surprising (honestly, pretty much everything is rather predictable). However, the lack of script's originality surprisingly doesn't make it a bad film. What really makes this film worth watching is the character development and the unbelievably convincing acting performances by Robbins, McAdams, and Peña. All three play likable characters who bring a sense of genuine comfort and humanness to the film that you don't typically see in road films

This story pretty much ends as it begins. It shows three very different people, taking a medical break after being injured in the war. Returning to civilian life presents many unexpected challenges for each of them. While traveling, they are stuck together long enough to forge a friendship between them which is the point of this movie. There are a couple very funny moments and Rachel McAdams is gorgeous.

Kind of charming, a light touch on the directing throttle, and good performances. A pleasant evening's viewing.

The Lucky Ones is definitely worth the watch. It isn't anything special, but it feels like it is in the moment. After it ends, you might start to think back on the experience and realize its problems, but as you're enjoying it, you're really enjoying it. It takes three people, puts them in a car and gives them a lot of problems to deal with. Formulaic, sure, but it makes a good movie here, in large part because it provides a nice perspective on America, and because of the strong performances.

#11#, reviews, story, Rachel McA/7-4.

"Sometimes, however, empty, contrived fantasies are just empty, contrived fantasies, as is certainly the case with this embarrassingly phony cross between Grace Is Gone, Home of the Brave and, believe it or not, Twister." - Nick Schager

Not bad.

For a road trip movie packed with contrived situations, it is surprisingly heart-warming, funny and well-acted.

Interesting film about dealing with life. A little predicable in places but good.

starts off with a bunch of cliches and stereotypes of what happens to military people, then after all the obligitory divorce proposition and fights it pulls together with some interesting stuff--that is actually pretty entertaining. i cant say i appreciate the end, it feels like it's trying to send a nationalistic message of duty that just doesnt work with the world's state of affairs today.

This is a perfect little movie. A movie that examines the effects of war on three soldiers returning home and their interaction with civilians as they drive across country. The three main actors are incredible together. The film keeps a sweet sense of humor throughout. [* My favorite*Entry 14 Birthday CD Movie Crawl 02.28.2009]

Take three actors who have seemingly nothing in common, (Robbins, McAdams & Peña) the combination of whom you're sure would suck, throw them together in random, screwed-up cinematic situations and you'd think you'd have an instant movie disaster, but surprisingly, for some unexplained reason, it works, and works well!