The Lucky Ones

The Lucky Ones

26/9/2008 1h 53m 6.4/10

Overview

The story revolves around three soldiers — Colee, T.K. and Cheaver — who return from the Iraq War after suffering injuries and learn that life has moved on without them. They end up on an unexpected road trip across the U.S.

Director

Neil Burger

Top Billed Cast

John Heard

John Heard

Bob

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams

Colee Dunn

Michael Peña

Michael Peña

T.K. Poole

Tim Robbins

Tim Robbins

Fred Cheaver

John Diehl

John Diehl

Tom Klinger

Annie Corley

Annie Corley

Jeanie Klinger

Reviews

Wuchak

7/7/2025

8/10

**_Great road movie about veterans traveling across America_** Three soldiers coming back from Iraq meet at JFK in NY where all flights are delayed due to a blackout. One soldier is older and getting out of the Army for good (Timothy Robbins), one has a serious groin injury and is trying to heal-up (Michael Pena) and the other is on leave to visit the family of a dead comrade (Rachel McAdams). They end up in a rental vehicle traveling across the country where they experience many sides of American culture and each other's deepest secrets, hopes and pains. "The Lucky Ones" (2008) is a true hidden gem. I wasn't expecting much when I started watching, but before too long I knew I had stumbled on to something great. All three stars have great chemistry and Rachel McAdams (who I've never seen in a movie before) is a total revelation as Colee. Although Colee isn't highly educated she's not dumb. In fact, she excels socially and is the catalyst to hope and healing for the other two. Both Timothy Robbins as Cheaver and Michael Pena as TK are effective in their roles as well. Cheaver becomes the necessary father-figure in the trio and the others become increasingly concerned about the well-being of their temporary "dad." The film features a good balance of Eastern and Western locations, shot in Illinois, Missouri, Colorado and Las Vegas. I don't want to say anymore. If what I said perks your interest, be sure to check out "The Lucky Ones." It runs about 1 hour, 52 minutes. GRADE: A-

Similar Movies

City Unplugged

6.1

City Unplugged

1993

The Taqwacores

5.0

The Taqwacores

2010

Life of the Party

6.1

Life of the Party

2005

Disappearances

4.7

Disappearances

2007

Looking Through Lillian

2.0

Looking Through Lillian

2002

Floating Weeds

7.5

Floating Weeds

1959

Sword of the Beast

7.4

Sword of the Beast

1965

A Handful of Dust

6.0

A Handful of Dust

1988

Road to Redemption

6.2

Road to Redemption

2001

The Christmas Card

6.3

The Christmas Card

2006

Love Will Tear Us Apart

6.4

Love Will Tear Us Apart

1999

Operation Amsterdam

5.8

Operation Amsterdam

1959

Good Will to Men

5.9

Good Will to Men

1955