The Lucky Ones 2008

Laura Kern, New York Times: With a smooth, light touch, The Lucky Ones focuses on the idea that the present and the people who factor into it are all we really have. Read more

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: By structuring this as a comic road movie, writer-director Neil Burger manages to examine the emotional isolation of returning vets without sinking into a bog of despair. Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: McAdams and Pena are affectingly vulnerable, while Robbins convinces as a family man with strong paternal instincts. Read more

Nathan Rabin, AV Club: Like its lead characters, Lucky is wounded, lost, and impractical, but it has a messy, winning humanity and an agreeably leisurely pace that almost redeems it. Read more

Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: The Lucky Ones takes a decent premise -- three soldiers returning from Iraq facing domestic challenges upon their arrival home -- and crams so much forced drama into it that the movie devolves into a hack buddy picture. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: Read more

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor: The Iraq war has thus far produced no truly memorable dramatic movies, as opposed to documentaries, and the losing streak continues with The Lucky Ones. Read more

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: The chemistry between the three soldiers is strong, but their journey rings hollow. Read more

Tom Long, Detroit News: How unusual. How enjoyable. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: The Lucky Ones isn't dull, and the actors do quite nicely, especially McAdams, who's feisty, gorgeous, and as mercurial as a mood ring. Read more

David Germain, Associated Press: [A] far-fetched take on Iraq War homecomings. Read more

Rafer Guzman, Newsday: A thoughtful study on the way foreign wars can reverberate here at home. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: It gets so preoccupied with all the local color and colorful locals, that it forgets about the people on this journey -- or their ultimate destination. Read more

Bob Mondello, NPR: Director Neil Burger keeps things light, and the actors are more than engaging. ... But there's something centrally pat and predictable about the coincidence-laden story. Read more

Kyle Smith, New York Post: Cheap, ignorant, tone-deaf and condescending. Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: Even when it feels contrived, The Lucky Ones is enhanced by Mr. Pena, Ms. McAdams and especially the terrific, always surprising Mr. Robbins, in performances so likable and well timed they carry you aloft, like a flag. Read more

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: It's something of a well-intentioned mess. Read more

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: If a couple of the plot devices seem contrived, The Lucky Ones makes up for them with sharp, heartfelt performances, and a deceptively easygoing narrative style. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: It isn't unpleasant to spend two hours with these three soldiers, although it might have been more enjoyable to spend the time getting to know them rather than force-feeding them artificial road bumps. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: This formula is fraught with pitfalls, but the characters and the actors redeem it with a surprising emotional impact. Read more

Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle: The Lucky Ones has plenty of heart and courage. If it only had a brain ... Read more

Christy DeSmith, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Its lack of emotional thrust doesn't inspire the viewer to feel one way or another. Read more

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail: It's all merely unbelievable. Read more

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: As they hit the road, the scenes play out like TV sitcom vignettes with little holding the centre together. We find out details about the characters lives, but never feel we know them. Read more

Ben Kenigsberg, Time Out: Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: This is not the worst of the Iraq-themed movies of the past few years, and it's possibly the best acted of any of them. But you wish the bonding of these three people wasn't diluted by the trite scenarios and artificial circumstances of their saga. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Variety: It's hard to find the genuine heartfelt moments in The Lucky Ones, a story about three Iraq War soldiers on a brief road trip back in the U.S., under the clutter of narrative contrivances and coincidences. Read more

Vadim Rizov, Village Voice: It's finally all too familiar. Read more