Zac Efron is the titular “lucky one,” a marine who survives multiple near-death experiences thanks, he believes to a photo of a woman he finds in the battlefield rubble, in this Nicholas Sparks adaptation. Once he returns stateside, he begins his quest to track her down, during which he supposedly WALKS from Colorado to Louisiana. Right. Efron stands out against the gorgeous bayou scenery, delivering a measured, mature performance, and Blythe Danner provides welcome comic relief as his love interest’s grandmother. It’s all sappy and pretty predictable, but as sappy and predictable movies go, it’s pretty good. You’ll swoon and cry on cue and likely wait for the chance to do it again when it comes out On Demand.
The Lucky One PG-13, 100 min. Director: Scott Hicks Starring: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling 3.5/5 Stars
