Thursday, first day of showing. I was supposed to be working my butt off in the office but I found myself inside a movie house anxious to see The Lucky One. Obviously, I can't wait to see it. I'm a fan of Nicholas Sparks' novels and I can't wait to see the real picture of the events in Logan and Beth's lives. And as the scenes unfold and pages are turned, thoughts kept on coming, comparing and complaining, adoring and agreeing. And the minute the list of characters scrolled up, I can't wait to write my review about this much awaited movie of mine.
COMPARED AGAINST THE NOVEL:
The voice over and the war, those were necessary. That war was the very reason why there is that story.
The Walk. Logan's journey from Colorado to New Orleans was not clearly emphasized. Though a lot of it was shown, the series of walking scenes made it look like he was just taking a stroll. His hardships of searching for that place in the picture and eventually that girl in the picture was not perfectly represented in the movie. It was not felt.
The Helper. In the novel, Logan can't think of a perfect reason for coming to the kennel, luckily, he saw the add so he applied to be the helper to get close to Beth. To get to know her. In the movie, on the other hand, Logan wanted to confess up front why he did came to New Orleans, to Green Kennel specifically. It was an accident the he got hired as a helper. I think the change was cool. You cannot always copy everything from the book. It will make the movie boring.
The Kid. I'm not really sure with this one but I can't remember Ben being close to his father. He resent him. His father forces him to do things he's not interested into. They are different in a lot of ways and he wanted Ben to be tough like him, like the other kids. But Ben is just different. While in the movie, they showed a Ben who is okay with his father. That they get along pretty well and that he likes baseball too.
Keith, the Bully. They didn't show how much of a bully Keith is. They didn't show how influential his family is. They didn't show how he can get a bit crazy protecting Beth as a territory and a prized possession. They didn't show how controlling he is over Beth and Ben's life. And finally, they didn't show why he hated Logan so much. That very first encounter at the beach when he thought Logan stole the tape that's why he ransack his place and rummage through his things leading to the discovery of Beth's lucky picture hidden in Logan's possession.
The Picture. The very essence of the picture as a lucky charm and a life saver was taken out of the movie. It was supposed to be the explanation why Ben is still alive after that accident in the creek. The very same rationale why Logan finished his marine duty, safely. Because he passed it on to Ben so that he can always be safe. That is the secret that they shared and kept from Beth. Any errors, deviations and alterations made from the walk, the helper, the kid and the bully part that I've pointed out earlier can all be forgotten and accepted if only this part right here is gotten correctly.
They also missed that suspense part of who between Keith and Logan died in the accident bringing the scene straight to the cemetery where both Beth and Ben offer flowers to a certain grave. As I was reading the book I was holding my breath guessing that it's another tragic love story from my favorite author. But it's not. Thank God.
Needless to say, the movie was a letdown for me. I think I expected too much from it that I kept on waiting for more, for that moment that will make me feel the same way that I felt when I was reading the novel. But it never came. Maybe that's why I'm a bit disappointed.
COMPARED AGAINST OTHER MOVIES:
With the movie The Vow still fresh from my memory, I can't help myself but compare The Lucky One to it. I know it's not fair but it was supposed to be epic. And since The Vow is not adapted from a Nicholas Sparks novel, let us not compare the two. So how about Dear John, fair enough?
When I first heard that they will make a movie out of The Lucky One, the first thing that came to mind was... Who will be playing as Logan Thibault? Honestly, when I was reading the novel the Logan that I can imagine is a bit crazy. Who wold walk from Colorado to New Orleans? Not that I've been to both but what the heck! You know what I mean. I can picture him as a man who is shabby, long-haired and a little aloof. But when they announced that Zac Efron will be Logan, to hell with my imagination! Zac is hot! It's all that matters. That's what I thought. Until I saw the movie. Now I wish they've chosen someone more mature. Not necessarily older but someone who is more experienced. And that is the point when I had him compared to Channing Tatum.
Remember John Tyree? He knows what a genuine laugh is. I'm smitten when he's flirting. I feel the pain when he's hurting. I feel the love in his stares and glances. I cried with him. I adore him when he's hesitant. I can feel the passion in his kisses. Yes, he makes the audience feel that everything is real. He shows variety of emotions. And I think that's what went wrong with Zac Efron. I can't feel the passion in his kisses and his touches. I can't feel the pain of the memories of the war. I can't see a tough and invincible marine. I can't feel his pain when Beth let him go. The only time that he let me feel he is Logan is when he is with Ben. When he is playing with the kid. Maybe that's it! Maybe he is too young to portray that kind of role. He's good in Charlie St. Cloud. But this one, no, not for me at least. But I must say, those eyes are something else. And the body... I can tell he's working out.
So there, I just wish he improves his acting skills over time. And when that time comes, he would be perfect. The novel is still one of my favorites nonetheless. -C
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