The Lucky Ones (2008)

[bigburner]

I watched this film for the first time this evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. I even shed a tear or two. I see that Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 36% rating. I don't know why it scored so poorly with the critics. Did anyone else like it? Anyway, it resonated with me.

The cast of this film includes Tim Robbins. Three weeks ago I saw Tim Robbins perform at the Byron Bay Bluesfest. He acquitted himself remarkably well for a guy who can fairly be described as a part time musician.

Here's the write-up of Tim and his band from the Bluesfest Web site...

Tim Robbins and The Rogues Gallery Band tap into a vein of rootsy folk-rock that recalls Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and folk icon Pete Seeger. Their style has been described as ‘dark Americana rock’ but Robbins himself calls it ‘raggle taggle and rousing gypsy Americana’. The Rogues Gallery Band are: Kate St. John, Leo Abrahams, David Coulter, Roger Eno, Rory McFarlane, Andrew Newmark and Dudley Phillips. The album Tim Robbins and the Rogues Gallery Band was released in September 2010. Of course Tim Robbins also has a long list of notable credits as an actor, director, writer and producer of films and theatre. He has won numerous awards for his acting including an Oscar, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor for Mystic River, Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globe for Best Actor for The Player. As the Koelner Express said, ‘Tim Robbins is an excellent actor – but also a fantastic musician. No matter if it's country, blues, folk-rock, ballads, rockabilly: he can do it all, supported by his sensational Rogues Gallery Band.’ Should be a fascinating part of Bluesfest 2011.

Nigel.

[George Bellefontaine]

I'm not familiar with The Lucky Ones. What's it about ?

[bigburner]

I'm not familiar with The Lucky Ones. What's it about ?

It's essentially a road movie about three US Army personnel who are thrown together on a month's leave back home from their regular duties in Iraq. All three are carrying physical and psychological injuries, but nothing too overwhelming and therefore nothing too heavy for the viewer.

Some people might consider this film a bit slow moving and others might think it's a bit corny but I identified with the predicaments each of the three characters found themselves in and appreciated the character development.

Nigel.

[George Bellefontaine]

That sounds interesting, Nigel. I'll keep an eye out for it.

[Chris D]

Ehhh... I just watched it, and I'll say up front that I scrutinize VERY heavily these kind of movies that attempt to portray servicemen, and their experiences both in and after war. Many filmmmakers portend to know what goes on inside the head of servicemembers. Many portend to know what combat stress really is like, whether it's formal PTSD or not. Many portend to know how servicemembers feel after returning from combat.

I've been pleasantly surprised of late, that several movies in recent years actually HAVE captured one or more aspects surprisingly well--The Messenger, Restrepo, and the Hurt Locker come to mind. However, I did NOT feel that "The Lucky Ones" is one of those. It's a fairly interesting story. Just not truly compelling as portraying the realism of the horrors and humanity of those who have been in combat. I don't know if I can explain it any better than that at this point. IMHO, both Tim Robbins and his partner Susan Sarandon have made multiple attempts to "portray servicemembers" and their supposed combat-related experiences, often to further Robbins' and Sarandon's political agendas, and have come up far short.

[bigburner]

Fair comment Chris. As a serviceman you would know. I can't actually remember the film. Most concerts stay in my memory; most films evaporate soon after watching them. It sounds as if this one deserved to evaporate!

Nigel.

[bigburner]

Well Chris, in the early hours of this morning I remembered one aspect of this film that resonated with me. One of the characters has shrapnel in his nether regions that inhibits his performance and consequently his relationships. Am I correct? It reminded me about a bit of nether regions surgery I had a few years ago.

There were other reasons too but I don't recall them at present.

Nigel.

[Chris D]

Nigel, yeah, that was one of the characters. Honestly, I have no idea if people have actually encountered that situation, but I would imagine somewhere along the way, somebody has. The story about that, and him wanting to use prostitutes so he can regain his "manhood" and his girlfriend will love him again.... mehhhhhhh..... seemed a bit much for me.