Remember The Notebook? If you're a girl, then of course you do. Billed the 'Best Romantic Film' back in 2004, a gripping storyline by author Nicholas Sparks and great character portrayal by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, brought a great book to life. Following on from that, Channing Tatum took the lead in Dear John and then Miley Cyrus did her thing in The Last Song. Now, it's the time of Zac Efron.
The Plot
Zac plays Marine, Logan Thibault. He'd been to Iraq; lost friends and almost, his own life. During one tour, he had found a photo in the rubble after an explosion nearly killed him. It was of a beautiful blonde who had scribbled the words "stay safe" on the back. He put it in his pocket. After two more near-death experiences and having watched more of his close pals pass, he looked at his photo realising he had found his own guardian angel.
When he finally returns home to Colorado, Logan decides to find his angel - and after searching online, he finds she lives in Louisana. So hewalks there with his gorgeous German Shepherd dog Zeus.
And at a stunning kennel setting, he finds her. The girl he's been looking for - Beth (Taylor Schilling). Beth runs the kennel with her grandmother (Blythe Danner), after having lost her parents when she was very young. She is raising a son, Ben (Riley Thomas Stewart) and is divorced from Ben's father, the town's Deputy Sheriff and an arrogant and agressive man.
Of course, it's not long before Logan is given a job at the kennel - his muscley arms and manliness meaning he can move some heavy loads, pull out tree stumps and fix every broken thing in sight. Having stumbled time and time again while trying to tell Beth why he came looking for her, Zac makes the (somewhat bad) decision to wait and get to know his angel. So he stays nearby and come to work each day. Of course, one thing leads to another... but the truth has to come out.
The Verdict
If you're looking for high drama, cutting edge film-making and Oscar-worthy performances, then think again - this is a chick-flick through and through and it's definitely something for the girls out there who fancy a night at the cinema having a good ol' wail... or (let's face it) fancy Zac Efron.
The main man himself has no doubt excelled himself in beefing up for the role. His shoulders broad and muscles huge, he certainly looked the part of the marine and his brooding manner (quite true to life it would seem) just makes him all the more sexy. Taylor Schilling certainly makes a beautiful leading lady - and their chemistry, although sometimes a little stiff, seems appropriate to their awkward, internally suffering characters.
It's just a shame there wasn't a huge deal of scope with the storyline to take the characters on a real journey, and to show what Zac - and even Taylor (who is realatively new to the this 'big movie' lark) can really do as an actor.
Still, it's not something to turn your nose up at, this is a love story in its true form and it's one many will enjoy. There will be tears and you will need tissues.
And there's no way the ladies won't appreciate how a handsome High School Musical star has blossomed into a capable young actor.
Star rating: * * *
The Lucky One is out in cinemas today.
