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The Lucky Ones (2008)

The Lucky Ones Poster

Movie Info


Genre

Comedy, Drama

Release Date

September 26, 2008 (Limited)

MPAA Rating

R

Duration

115 min.

Production Budget

$15 millions

Studio

Lionsgate Films

Official Site

click here

REVIEWS RATE:  Critics  Nothing's perfect, but it's worth seeing.    Readers  4 of 5 [Rate It]

Cast and Crew


Director

Neil Burger

Producer

Neil Burger, Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Rick Schwartz

Screenwriter

Neil Burger, Dirk Wittenborn

Starring

Movie Story


When three very different U.S. soldiers find themselves on an unplanned road trip across America, they form a deep bond that may be the closest thing any of them has to real family. A humorous and timely drama about coming home, "The Lucky Ones" stars Rachel McAdams ("The Notebook," "Wedding Crashers"), Tim Robbins ("Mystic River," "The Shawshank Redemption") and Michael Pena ("Crash," "World Trade Center"), and is directed by Neil Burger ("The Illusionist") from a screenplay by Burger and Dirk Wittenborn.

T.K. Poole (Michael Pena), Colee Dunn (Rachel McAdams) and Fred Cheever (Tim Robbins) arrive in New York from Germany only to find their connecting flights canceled due to a power outage. Anxious to get to their respective destinations, they agree to share a rented minivan to suburban St. Louis where Cheever is to reunite with his wife and teenage son. From there, the other two plan to fly to Las Vegas where the macho T.K. wants to make an important stop before seeing his fiancee and the tough yet naive Colee plans to pay a visit to a fallen fellow-soldier's family.

But when Cheever's homecoming turns out to be a far cry from what he anticipated, the trio's one-day drive expands into an impromptu cross-country marathon. Along the way, they experience a string of surprising adventures ranging from the hilarious to the heartbreaking. As their interstate journey takes them from a barroom brawl to a high society dance to a bizarre Sunday morning church service, T.K., Colee and Cheever discover that home is not quite what they remembered and the unlikely companionship they've found in one another might be what matters most of all.

Watch Video (1 video)


Movie Stills (18 photos)


Michael Pena (as TK, left), Rachel McAdams (as Colee) and Tim Robbins (as Cheaver) in THE LUCKY ONES (2008). Photo credit: Matt Dinerstein.
Michael Pena, Rachel McAdams and Tim Robbins in Lionsgate Films' The Lucky Ones (2008)

Reader's Reviews


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I was an extra in this movie. It was originally called The Return and was to be released Dec 2007. I have not been updated, till just now, that the title had changed and the release date was extended by 10 months. It was real great meeting Michael Pena - he has a great sense of humor and was very nice to the extras on set.

posted by TeganMarieFoxx on Apr 23, 2008

I think this will be a very good movie because it has a very good story and script. It has an every day type feel to it. Meaning, we meet different people or people we don't know almost every day, and sometimes those people can become a life long friend once you get a chance to know them. Michael Pena is a very cool, funny, and nice guy. He is becoming a house hold name in the Movie Industry, and he is a down to earth type guy. I think we should support good actors/actress and good people like Michael. I had a chance to spend a little time with him this past Spring. Also, I think Tim is a very unique actor. I enjoyed the role he had in "The Shawshank Redemption".

posted by Eizzac on Sep 17, 2008

"...what can I say, all three characters kept me glued to the couch, great movie, it made me think about our soldiers..."

posted by Movie Monster on Mar 24, 2009

Where do I begin? Weak script. Weaker dialogue. Mediocre directing wasting the talents of three good actors (poor acting was not their fault). Clunky plot contrivances. Lack of character development. Unsatisfactory ending. How could the makers of this film have blown what would have potentially been a great road trip movie and a poignant, funny story of three characters arriving at a deeper understanding of themselves and their lives. If you are going to make a movie, do it right, or don't do it all! There are lots of good movies out there, full of humanity and depth and humor. Unfortunately, the makers of this movie squandered a fine opportunity to join that list.

posted by GrizBearMan on Mar 26, 2009

I loved the movie. I laughed and I cried at the same time. Incredible feeling...

posted by Mia on Apr 20, 2009
 
 

MOVIE REVIEWS BY CRITICS

“..thoughtful..”
by Rafer Guzman [Newsday]
“..clichéd and formulaic..”
by Nathan Rabin [Onion AV Club]
“.."The Lucky Ones" has plenty of heart and courage..”
by Peter Hartlaub [San Francisco Chronicle]