Movie Review: ‘The Lucky One’ Is No ‘Notebook’

Is it a chick-flick? Of course it is. Based on the 2008 novel by Nicholas Sparks, the same man who brought “The Notebook” to legions of women, “The Lucky One” is sure to attract a largely female crowd.

The movie stars hunky Zac Efron as Logan Thibault. Thibault, who has served several tours of duty in Iraq, credits his safe return home to a photograph of a woman he has never met. Thibault learns the woman’s name is Beth (played by Taylor Schilling) and sets out to find his lucky charm.

Does the film work? Here’s what critics had to say:

Detractors may dismiss The Lucky One as a manipulative tearjerker, but viewers open to its charms and heart-on-its-sleeve emotionality will feel that they’re the lucky ones. – Bill Wine, CBS Philly

If the leads have it, a Sparks romance will work. (“The Notebook,” which made stars of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, still sets the standard.) If they don’t, there’s little else to fall back on … There’s no telling what the casting directors were thinking when they put this pair together. They don’t make a natural couple physically, there’s no emotional connection between them, and they seem to be acting in different movies. – Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

The leads' chemistry in "The Lucky One" is more theoretical than actual. Still, the sunsets and sunrises and sunbeams through the windowpanes fall easily on the eyes. – Michael Phillips, The Chicago Tribune 

Without much tension, the film becomes more of an extended music video of Logan and Beth's rocky road to love. - Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times

“The Lucky One” is rated PG-13.

Showtimes: Great Escape 14

Ready to see "The Lucky One"? Head to , 2160 Hamilton Creek Parkway. For more theater information and links to showtimes and pricing,  or call 678-482-0624.