Too much of everything

Good concept, poorly executed.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Written and directed by Neil Burger, "The Lucky Ones" tells the story of three United States Army soldiers who return from the 2003 US invasion of Iraq to embark on an unplanned road trip across the United States. The film is a fairly faithful update of William Wyler's "The Best Years of Our Lives" and Hal Ashby's "The Last Detail", though Burger claims never to have seen the former film.Like Wyler's film, which was also ironically titled, "The Lucky Ones" centres on three servicemen of different social strata, rank and age. There's Sgt Cheaver (Tim Robbins), who's wrestling with a divorce and financial problems, Pvt Colee Dunn (Rachel McAdams), who's struggling to cope with a wounded leg, poverty and isolation, and Sgt Poole (Michael Pena), whose sex organs have been severely damaged by a piece of shrapnel.There's a lot of good stuff in the film. Burger's direction is gentle, easygoing and relaxed, our trio of characters are both likable and pleasantly low-key, the gang's road trip is immensely fun and the film features a number of fine conversations. Unfortunately "The Lucky Ones" also contains a number of absolutely god-awful scenes which totally kill the picture. Such heavy handed atrocities – scenes which would embarrass most writers - include a sudden marital break-up, an out-of-nowhere argument over a locked car, a ridiculous car crash and a LITERAL TORNADO ATTACK. Half this movie is a masterpiece of low key observation, the other half is an embarrassment. What's going on?Still, mentally filter out these terrible moments and the film has a lot to recommend. Burger positions us to sympathise with these soldiers, shows how the army exploits minorities and the marginalised, how each of these characters has absolutely no place to go, no one to take them in but the Armed Forces, how the military engenders dependency, how enlistees treat income and institutional connection as a bigger priority than the larger ethical and political ramifications of War, how the Army neuters ideological conflict (within its staff), how civilians (on either end of the political spectrum) condescendingly treat soldiers, how the military experience is completely divorced from the every-day reality of most Americans, how soldiers oft return home to a kind of soft segregation, how the soldiering class is almost a class unto itself, often unable to mingle comfortably with others, how the army compensates for weak egos and becomes an almost cultic figure for the disenfranchised etc etc. This is an unusually perceptive film. But a frustrating one too, because for every good sequence there's an abomination which makes you want to gouge your eyes out.7.9/10 – Frustrating.

While there have been many movies about 'soldiers picking up the pieces after returning home from war', Neil Burger's story takes a refreshing look with a touch of humour, sarcasm and compassion. Three soldiers, Fred (Tim Robbins), Colee (Rachel McAdams) and T.K (Michael Peña) cross paths as they are on their way back from a German hospital to the states. Fred looks forward to reuniting with his wife and son, Colee plans to return her dead boyfriend's guitar to his parents and T.K. claims to have a fiancée waiting. As they reach the states, their connecting flights get cancelled and together, the three embark on a roadtrip that will change their lives.Most successful road movies require characters that are interesting and the road-trip in the film is usually a metaphor for the characters' journey from one situation to another, a growth of sorts. Otherwise it's pretty much like watching a travel documentary. While Burger beautifully captures the American landscape, it is his three principle characters who keep the viewer involved with their wit, charm, compassion, and even recklessness. As they move ahead on their trip, each heading towards a different destination, a wonderful friendship develops and here the trip is a metaphor of the characters reaching a place of self awareness. Saying more would be giving away the story.With fine cinematography, good scoring and editing and decent special effects, 'The Lucky Ones' is well executed. The odd, but very likable casting of Tim Robbins, Michael Peña and Rachel McAdams is terrific. The three are very convincing on screen as three unlikely people who become friends. Peña displays a subtle intensity that is well complemented by McAdams's subtle humour. Despite all the hardship, Colee remains optimistic but tough. Robbins does an excellent job as Fred who comes home only to find that his expectations have been shattered and while he is desperate to raise money for his son, he is breaking on the inside but his new friends provide just the kind of comfort and confidence he needs.There are a few minor quibbles. I found the tornado sequence to be forced and it just suddenly appears out of nowhere to solve one of the character's problems. While the ending was predictable, it wasn't a bad ending but I would have preferred an alternative conclusion.Overall, 'The Lucky Ones' is a splendid film that is a good balance of intensity and humour. These three characters involve us through their adventurous journey that is an enjoyable ride all the way.

I saw this film recently and its very entertaining indeed!!!,may be a little subtle at times the film makes up an excellent story with an equally good performances.Its a story about three people from the army,complete strangers at first who ultimately start to find about each other on a road trip that lies ahead.The film is a mixture of comedy and drama in an almost perfect way.I don't have much more to say about it but i do recommend this one to the viewers,so if you wanna pass another 100 minutes or so id say go ahead and i am sure you won't regret your decision,road trip movies are usually interesting and this is no exception..

This is one of the funniest movies about serious topics, and I thought the acting was excellent. Almost every scene in the film has the three main actors in it, and the dynamic between them is fun to watch. The three soldiers coming home on leave find themselves stuck together, and a road trip adventure ensues. The circumstances they get into tell us a lot about the characters, and each scene gives more depth to the individuals and the relationships that develop. I really liked all three main characters even with their flaws.I laughed more during this movie than I usually do during comedies so I guess that means it has my kind of humor. Unlike the review by "Super and Mik", I didn't think it was slow or the ending at all predictable. I thought the plot was engaging. I rated the movie 9 out of 10 stars, but I'm not sure what could have made it a ten. It's well written with a balance between comedy and drama. It's perfectly cast, and I also liked the directing and attention to detail. I highly recommend this flick. I don't understand why it flopped at the box office.