The Lucky One

After this performance no further evidence is needed of Efron's ability to do vulnerability and puppy love - we're ready now to see whether he can show any bite.

A tsunami of syrup and a Niagara of nonsense here in this mind-blowingly ridiculous romdram...

[Efron] sells it almost single-handedly through sheer force of scrumminess.

Romance isn't dead, but films like this are giving it a bad name.

Even taken as simple schmaltz, 'The Lucky One' lacks the romantic impact of the adaptation of Sparks's 'The Notebook' or even the Channing Tatum-starrer 'Dear John'.

The Notebook may have had us blubbing but since then Nicholas Sparks adaptions have offered thin pickings for cinemagoers. For all Efron's boyish charms, this one could be the most ordinary of the lot.

Efron is subdued to a fault and he is constantly shot as if posing for Tiger Beat. Schilling is the opposite. Her performance is a bit manic, constantly shifting between her spunky independence and hypnotic lusty gazing.

More gloopy romantic slush from the piffling pen of author Nicholas Sparks.

It's doubtful that it will elicit a strong response either from its defenders or its detractors.

The film itself looks lush and lovely with its sun-streaked trees and autumnal tones but it doesn't stop the film from being another addition to the slush pile.