Efron is subdued to a fault and he is constantly shot as if posing for Tiger Beat. Schilling is the opposite. Her performance is a bit manic, constantly shifting between her spunky independence and hypnotic lusty gazing.

| Original Score: 1.5/5 | Aug 23, 2022

More gloopy romantic slush from the piffling pen of author Nicholas Sparks.

| Original Score: 1.5/5 | Oct 1, 2020

It's doubtful that it will elicit a strong response either from its defenders or its detractors.

| Original Score: 2.5/4.0 | Sep 15, 2020

The film itself looks lush and lovely with its sun-streaked trees and autumnal tones but it doesn't stop the film from being another addition to the slush pile.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 20, 2019

A sappy and incredibly dull [film] designed to tug at the heart strings.

| Original Score: D+ | Apr 12, 2019

Taylor Schilling is attractive, but she-like most of the cast-battles the stilted, ham-handed dialogue and a plotline as predictable as a knock-knock joke.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Nov 9, 2018

The Lucky One remains remarkably endearing throughout.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 23, 2018

Whilst reluctant to push the generic boat out, The Lucky One is heart-warming in all the right places, well-acted and even shows that not all Sparks adaptation have to be horrifyingly corny.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 13, 2018

How bad is this Zac attack? Well, let's just say I'm convinced director Scott Hicks opted to render his buff-and-scruffy star the strong, silent type just to keep Efron from opening his mouth.

| Original Score: D | Jun 2, 2013

Falling victim to his source material, Hicks fails to invest it with any sort of edge, rendering the cinematic version as mawkish and saccharine as Sparks' bloated prose.

| Oct 24, 2012

Even within the company of recent Sparks releases like this year's 'The Vow', 'The Lucky One' comes across as a two-dimensional cartoon masquerading as heartfelt human interaction.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 4, 2012

A pretty to look at but emotionally void film that does no favours for its otherwise lovely lead actors.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Sep 15, 2012

The movie follows the Sparks formula so precisely, you could write out every detail of the plot just from watching the trailer.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Aug 24, 2012

If you're after a high-quality weepie, this superbly crafted romantic melodrama from director Scott Hicks (Shine; The Boys Are Back) and novelist Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook; Dear John) will drain your tear ducts.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 30, 2012

If you are inclined to say, 'they had me at Zac Efron' then the hunky actor and his scene-stealing boxer briefs will likely make any logic in this screenplay superfluous.

| Original Score: C- | Jun 3, 2012

There is not one real, natural, or genuine second in this movie. It's a standard, stock romance that felt more like the filmmakers were completing a checklist of "romantic drama" story cliches, than telling an actual story

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | May 12, 2012

Unfortunately, this film will only appeal to those on date night or diehard Sparks fans.

| Original Score: 5.1/10 | May 11, 2012

Clearly, weepie king Sparks is scraping for angsty love story scenarios.

| Original Score: 1/4 | May 6, 2012

There's a thin line between the exploration of grief and its exploitation that this film crosses.

| May 5, 2012

All of this [plot] serves as justification for the movie's true purpose, which is to show two gorgeous-looking actors, Efron and Schilling, in artfully photographed and tasteful PG-13 sex scenes.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | May 4, 2012