If not for the warmth and likability of its characters and those playing them, The Lucky Ones would be a tiresome formula picture.
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03/18/09
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The Lucky Ones (2008)
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Reviews Counted:68
Fresh:24
Rotten:44
Average Rating:4.9/10
Consensus: The Lucky Ones features heartfelt performances, but is undone by the plot's overwrought parade of coincidence and contrivance.
Synopsis: Neil Burger's follow-up to his accomplished period piece, THE ILLUSIONIST, is an affecting naturalistic modern drama. THE LUCKY ONES concerns three Iraq War soldiers who have just returned to the... [More]
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Tim Robbins, Michael Pena, Molly Hagan
Director: Neil Burger
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Reviews for The Lucky Ones
It feels like the writers were trying for dialogue that sounded natural and improvisational. Instead, it feels scripted and rehearsed. It's all phony balony!
10/06/08
Ultimately I was left without any clear notion as to what was being said through the film and why.
09/30/08
In this interview, The Lucky Ones director Neil Burger speaks about understanding the modern soldier, his surprising casting choice of anti-war activist Tim Robbins as a veteran and why he relates the story while the Iraq conflict continues.
09/30/08
War/road trip dramedy is cliched but affecting.
09/29/08
The Iraq war has thus far produced no truly memorable dramatic movies, as opposed to documentaries, and the losing streak continues with The Lucky Ones.
09/29/08
The direction is functional, workmanlike; Burger never steals the spotlight from his characters.
09/29/08
The biggest disappointment is in this script, written by Dirk Wittenborn and Neil Burger who gave us the delightful Illusionistin 2006.
09/27/08
... reductive and unfunny ... think Coming Home crossed with Vegas Vacation minus Cousin Eddie ...
09/27/08
...benefits substantially from the strength and charisma of its three leads...
09/27/08
Rachel McAdams keeps reminding me how good she is in every role she takes. In this movie, she just glows energy. Acting is one thing. How do you project energy? Through joy, anger and curiosity, she projects this vibe and she is the backbone of the film.
09/26/08
Based on the evidence here, director/co-writer Neil Burger may be the last American who's ambivalent about the Iraq War, and his movie suffers for it.
09/26/08
While their circumstances may be forced, the three characters feel like real, complex, likable people. That's a real rarity in a film about veterans, no matter what the ideology is.
09/26/08
This is not the worst of the Iraq-themed movies of the past few years, and it's possibly the best acted of any of them. But you wish the bonding of these three people wasn't diluted by the trite scenarios and artificial circumstances of their saga.
09/26/08
Top CriticThe dialogue is often sharp and funny and the performances nicely pitched.
09/26/08
As they hit the road, the scenes play out like TV sitcom vignettes with little holding the centre together. We find out details about the characters lives, but never feel we know them.
09/26/08
Top CriticEach secret is more implausible than the last.
09/26/08
McAdams and Peña are affectingly vulnerable, while Robbins convinces as a family man with strong paternal instincts.
09/26/08
The Lucky Ones has plenty of heart and courage. If it only had a brain ...
09/26/08
Top CriticIn the end, they laugh together, they cry together and they all learn a little something about this place we call America. At least, that was probably the plan.
09/26/08
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August 24, 2008:
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