May 1, 2012

All glory is fleeting: How ‘The Lucky One’ compares from book to film


The film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks' books provide a divine form of escapism: perfectly brimming with schmaltz, they provide a rare opportunity to delve into an over-the-top romantic fantasy land.

The Notebook is one of my favourite films. The story is truly heart-felt and touching. In a little more than two hours, Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling gripped me completely – their romantic connection was so intense and palpable that I became wholly connected with Ally and Noah's story.

In this ‘put yourself first’ world, it is nice to immerse yourself – even if it’s for just a moment – into a world where two people are so devoted to each other, and whose futures are so completely intertwined.

The Lucky One also has all the makings of a good chick-flick. Nicholas Sparks created characters that are real and fallible and a plot that is slightly fantastical yet believable and intriguing. The writing is also sufficiently engaging and overall the book offered an enjoyable reading experience.

The film – starring Zac Efron as the troubled marine Logan Thibault and Taylor Schilling as the tough single mother Beth – was similarly enjoyable. But it did lack that, pardon the pun, spark.

I almost can’t put my finger on it… Technically, it’s hard to fault this film. It is well made in the theatrical sense; the performances are sound; and it has many of the elements of a good romantic drama. In fact, I couldn’t help but make comparisons with The Notebook: the waterside setting, the rowboat scene, the kissing in the shower/ rain…

And yet something about this film doesn’t hit the mark. I kept waiting for that ultimate moment of the romantic drama – where the despairing lovers, who until this point had been kept apart, are finally coming together; where they scene slows down and they run toward each other in slow motion; and the music reaches its climax at the moment they meet.

The Lucky One did have that moment – but what was missing for me was that triumphant feeling of relief; that flutter in the heart when your hopes for the reunion of the characters is realised.

All I can put this down to Efron and Schilling… They do credible jobs independently, but their chemistry was not believable. I couldn’t get past the thought that Efron looked too young to embody Logan’s past, and too fragile to take control of Beth’s future.

Perhaps I’m being too harsh… Perhaps this is just a case of the film adaptation not meeting the reader’s preconceptions and expectations… It wasn’t a bad film, and yet I couldn’t help but walk out of the cinema with an overwhelming feeling of meh.


The verdict:
Book or Big Screen? Book
The film is: 3. A decent, credible, faithful adaptation


I would be very happy to receive your comments and feedback on ‘Book or Big Screen’ – please click on the below link to tell me what film adaptation you are excited about, or to suggest the book/film that I should review next.

What’s coming next? A review of The Time Traveler's Wife

11 comments:

  1. I am generally a fan of romantic, escapist movies, but I can't bring myself to see this one. For one, Nicholas Sparks' novels have lost their "spark" for me. They are too contrived (I did love "The Notebook" though). However, my biggest fault with the movie is a sexy Zac Efron - All I can think of when I see him is Disney's High School Musical, and it ruins the effect of his character in "The Lucky One." I think I will be passing - thanks for your balanced review.

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    1. I agree Kristin.. I think it's credible that Efron is taking on adult roles, but I'm just not sure if this was the right one for him... Logan arrived in Beth's life as a drifter, who had walked across the country, his only friend his dog - Efron is just too clean cut. Literally. His hair was neatly cropped for the entire movie, lol.

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    2. He is a MARINE in the movie. It doesn't seem any of u even knw anything about men in the military. They r very clean cut even after they get out most still keep their hair neatly cut or cropped as u call it!

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  2. Thank you for your review! I would have to agree with you, The Notebook is definitely one of my all-time favorite movies, I cried watching it. I have to say I haven't read the book though. The Lucky One seems like a movie I'd enjoy. Also I haven't read this book either. I have read some mixed reviews on The Lucky One and I still want to see it. I ran across it on Blockbuster @Home so as soon as it is ready it will be shipped to my home. A co-worker at Dish told me she seen it and cried watching it. I can't wait to see for myself and Zac is all grown up it looks like.

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    1. Yes, give it a go sharshar.. if you like romantic dramas, I'm sure you will enjoy this film - even if just on a basic level. Come back and let me know what you think.

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  3. "His hair was neatly cropped for the entire movie."

    This was ironic to read you say, Danielle because that was one of the things I didn't like about the book - the multiple references to his [Logan's] unkempt appearance. I thought Zac was fabulous in the role (and still managed to look "rugged" ;D), and truly showed some real acting chops - and I say, "good for him!" Reading the novel made the movie all the richer so I think I'll give Sparks another try... maybe.

    Sorry you didn't like this movie real well - I loved it, and thought it did the novel justice while not being afraid to have its own "voice." Definitely in my top three Sparks adaptations.

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  4. You make a fair point about the book Rissi, but I doubt that Logan would have stopped for a trim as he walked across the country... He only had a small amount of ruffage on his face to show that he was "unkept" - his hair was always a nice and neat buzz cut. A picky thing, I know, but it still bugged me :)

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    1. Very true, Danielle. That is a more realistic way to look at it but yeah, it just bugged me for some reason. ;-)

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  5. I've yet to really meet a Nicholas Sparks movie that I liked, but I've enjoyed the few books of his that I've read. If by enjoyed I mean I cried my eyes out and wished I'd worn waterproof mascara.

    I haven't seen this one yet and am really not planning on it. No offense to Zac Efron, who I really do like. Maybe I should give the book a try and then see if I'm interested in the movie.

    There's only one piece of advice I would give you. Don't judge a book by it's cover. A lot of classic literature has found its way, somehow, into the cheap little paperback section. It doesn't change the beauty within. Although you may be right and "The Lucky One" is a fail. I'll have to track down a copy and see what I think.

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    1. You should totally try reading the book, Carissa. Then see if the film would be of interest.

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  6. I luv this movie. I think Zac did an amazing job. I am not sure if any of u actually knw any MARINES bt I am married to a RECON MARINE and even tho he has been out for awhile he still keeps his hair just like the "jar head" he was/is. It is NOT at all unrealistic for a MARINE to keep his hair perfectly cut. They get used to always having to keep it neat and tidy (unless they r on deployment &even then alot still do). Have a chat w other MARINES and u will find this is not unusual or uncommon!

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