THE LUCKY ONES

This is a serious drama with solid performances, especially Rachel McAdams as Colee. The film also includes a friendly church community, prayer, a pastor who cares for the travelers, and some patriotic recognition of the soldiers’ service.

But the movie moves slowly and episodically. Its three wounded soldiers face divorce, financial pressure, impotence from a battle injury, disappointment, and lies. The journey is not overly engaging, and the film surrounds its modest positive elements with abundant foul language, drinking, sexual discussion, and a brief depicted sexual act.

Because the movie is R-rated and its content is substantial, watch it only at home if you are an adult prepared to weigh those concerns carefully.

Three soldiers fresh from the Iraq War are forced to take a road trip across the country. Cheever hopes to return to his wife and son. TK is traveling toward Las Vegas before visiting his fiancée. Colee wants to connect with the family of a fellow Army officer killed in battle.

Their plans soon reveal the difficult realities waiting for them back home.

Two stars means this film has worthwhile performances but limited overall engagement. The acting is well done, with Rachel McAdams standing out as Colee. Her character is both worldly and naïve, making her the movie’s bright spot.

The structure works against the story. THE LUCKY ONES moves rather slowly and feels episodic as it shifts from one character’s story to the next. The drama has solid elements, but its pacing and lack of engagement keep it from rising higher.

THE LUCKY ONES presents a light humanist outlook, with slightly mixed pagan content and some minor Christian and moral elements. A church service becomes one of the film’s clearest positive moments: Colee insists that the travelers attend, and the pastor prays for each of them. The church people are portrayed as friendly, and the pastor is positive, even if he resembles a televangelist cliché.

The film also treats God and judgment seriously at moments. Colee has a sense of God and says that if Cheever kills himself, he will go into the Lake of Fire. The prayers appear to be answered, though in unusual ways.

Its treatment of military service and the Iraq War is mixed. Many people thank the soldiers for their service, while most people they meet are against the war. The soldiers themselves do not want to return when their leave ends, and the movie leaves unclear whether some patriotic responses are sarcastic or genuine.

The film’s central longing is for healing and a way forward after suffering. Scripture says, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

THE LUCKY ONES has solid performances and a few meaningful Christian and patriotic elements, but its slow pacing and heavy mature content limit its audience. For discerning adults, WAIT FOR HOME — ADULTS ONLY. For a family movie night, choose something else.