The Lucky One Parent Guide
While the Louisiana landscape is lovely, some steamy moments of intimacy that lack chemistry, an excessively contrived ending and underwhelming performances all make this an unlucky choice.
Parent Movie Review
I’m often critical of the male fantasy movie—the one where the nerdy guy has a bevy of beautiful women begging for his attention and affection. But women have their fantasies too—like a man who mysteriously shows up and fixes everything, from the gutters to a broken heart. The Lucky One is definitely the latter.
While on tour in Iraq, Sergeant Logan Thibault (Zac Efron) escapes not one but several life threatening attacks that take the lives of his fellow soldiers. After one blitz, he finds a dust-covered picture of a beautiful blonde lying in the rubble. The only words inscribed on the back are “keep safe”. Through the rest of that tour and the next one that is exactly what the angelic figure seems to do for Logan. And he promises himself he’ll find her and thank her if he ever gets home.
Retuning from a combat zone is harder than any of us who haven’t done it can imagine. But Logan decides to deal with his demons by walking from Colorado to Louisiana where he hopes to find his protector. He discovers her working in a family-run kennel outside of a small town. But he can’t come up with the words to thank Beth (Taylor Schilling) or even explain who he is. She mistakenly thinks he is there to apply for a job and before he knows it, Logan is walking dogs and cleaning kennels thanks to Beth’s grandma Ellie who offers him work.
Beth hesitantly begins to accept his presence around the place although she remains cautious of his attempts at friendship. Orphaned as a young child and facing a new tragedy makes her keep to herself. But her former husband Keith (Jay R. Ferguson) has no qualms about expressing his dislike for the new hired help. Keith is the sheriff in a town where the law takes a backseat to personal interests and powerful politicians and the last thing he wants is someone building a relationship with his ex-wife or his son Ben (Riley Thomas Stewart).
Meanwhile Logan quietly goes about repairing things around the place without nary a nag or even suggestion. It endears him to the single women living in the house and likely most of the females in the audience. (Truly this is love!)
However, once the characters are cast and the situation is established, the rest of the story is painfully predictable. As sure as Logan can overhaul a tractor, he’ll try to patch up Beth’s damaged heart. But that won’t happen without some nasty threats from the abusive Keith and the strained moment of truth when she discovers who Logan really is.
While the Louisiana landscape offers a lovely backdrop for this romantic romp, some steamy moments of intimacy that lack chemistry, an excessively contrived ending and underwhelming performances all make this an unlucky choice for family viewing.
Directed by Scott Hicks. Starring Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner, Jay R. Ferguson. Running time: 101 minutes. Theatrical release April 20, 2012. Updated July 17, 2017About author
The Lucky One
Rating & Content Info
Why is The Lucky One rated PG-13? The Lucky One is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some sexuality and violence.
Violence: Soldiers in a war zone are shot at and killed. One man’s blood splatters across a brick wall. Several explosions, some shown in slow motion, kill men. A soldier reacts aggressively to a violent video game and an innocent ambush by children. A police officer attempts to intimidate a character. A child gets a bloody nose in a sports incident. A man threatens his ex-wife and applies physical pressure to her arm. A drunken man pulls a gun on a man, threatening him and his dog. Characters face peril and death in a wild storm. A woman talks about the death of her parents and sibling.
Sexual Content: A couple kisses passionately. An unmarried couple is shown undressing and romping in bed in several extended scenes. A woman wears a low cut blouse.
Language: The script contains over a dozen mild and moderate profanities.
Alcohol / Drug Use: A drunken man threatens another character with a gun in a public setting. A woman comes home inebriated after a church function. Characters are frequently shown with alcohol at social events including fundraisers and birthday parties. They also drink in home settings. A man says he is funnier after having a few beers.
Page last updated July 17, 2017
The Lucky One Parents' Guide
This movie is based on The Lucky One, a book by Nicholas Sparks.
What challenges face vets who return from combat? What resources are available to them? How can family and friends help with the transition back to civilian life? What long-term difficulties may they face? Why does Logan react so violently to the video game and innocent ambush?
How can animals, especially dogs, help veterans? America’s Vet Dogs is one program that pairs dogs and returning soldiers.
Why is Keith often so harsh with Ben? Why is it difficult for Ben to live up to his father’s expectations? Who does Keith learn his parenting skills from? Is it surprising that Keith struggles to be a positive person in his son’s life?
Home Video
The most recent home video release of The Lucky One movie is August 28, 2012. Here are some details…
The Lucky One releases to home video on August 28, 2012.
Related home video titles:
This movie is based on The Lucky One