THE LUCKY ONE
RYAN: Based on yet another novel by the King of the Romantic Drama, Nicholas Sparks, comes more of the same.
CAROLINE: He really churns them out, doesn’t he? And I usually eat them up. I weep during all of these movies, LBH. But I missed this screening. How badly would I be bawling this time?
RYAN: Not uncontrollably; but I did mist over once or twice.
CAROLINE: I love it when it gets you too, rare that it is.
RYAN: Here’s the thing about this movie – it’s sappy and predictable but I liked it. There’s really no reason not to like it.
CAROLINE: How’s the Z’Efron?
RYAN: Not bad. I was a bit annoyed with him at the start since I kind of can’t see him past High School Musical and Hairspray. It’s like he was trying so hard to simply “act” but eventually I let go of that and he gives a pretty good performance.
CAROLINE: And he’s easy on the eyes. How often does his shirt come off?
RYAN: It’s not too gratuitous, but there are a lot of intense love scenes in this film. No nudity but still very steamy.
CAROLINE: Not that you’re complaining, I’m sure.
RYAN: Well it just is. It’s rated PG-13 but still the love scenes are… steamy.
CAROLINE: And who’s this Taylor Schilling as the female lead?
RYAN: I’d never heard of her either but she’s actually quite good. She’s done a bit before but this is her biggest role to date. The camera loves her and she’s very natural.
CAROLINE: How’s their chemistry?
RYAN: That’s actually outstanding. They’re a great on screen couple and that’s really half the battle in a Nick Sparks movie… the casting.
CAROLINE: No one can top Ryan Gosling and Rachel Mac though.
RYAN: True. There’s good supporting cast here, also, with Blythe Danner and a couple others.
CAROLINE: It’s nice to see Gwyneth’s mom getting work.
RYAN: I was afraid the war part of the story would loom too large but it was mostly just at the beginning of the film. There’s a young boy in the movie who’s good and also a very brief dance moment where Zac doesn’t necessarily show moves, but moves nonetheless.
CAROLINE: I’d totally see this.
RYAN: For the romantic drama it is, the chick flick it is, it’s engaging and well paced. If you’re into this genre, or Zac, it’s a decent flick.
— RATING —
