JUST MY LUCK

"He's stole my luck"

Ashley Albright (Lohan) has always had the most amazing luck. Everything has always gone right for her and because of her luck she is just about to land herself her dream job and her dream man. Jake Hardin (Pine) on the other hand has had bad luck all his life. He is desperately trying to get McFly, the band he discovered, their big break in the US by introducing them to New York biggest record mogul Damon Phillips (Love) but every time he gets close, his luck gets in the way. Everything changes however when Ashley and Jake meet at a masquerade ball where they share a kiss but they cause their luck to change.

Teen sensation and party girl Lindsay Lohan moves away from High School and into the big city but can this change bring her any luck?

High concept romantic comedies seem to be the bread and butter of teenage stars and 'Just My Luck' is no different but this movie has Lindsay Lohan in it. There is something about the red haired actress that makes her different from Hilary Duff, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Amanda Bynes or any other teen sensation and that is potential. If you have seen 'Freaky Friday' or 'Mean Girls', then you'll see that see is a teen actress that can actually act.

Now that she has grown too old to be a high school student anymore, she gets the chance to take on young adult roles but instead of moving on like Anne Hathaway did in 'Brokeback Mountain' she continues to star in fluff pieces. Fortunately 'Just my Luck' is made slightly less fluffy by her screen personality and sheer likeability. As with every character she plays, Lindsay Lohan makes Ashley Albright extremely likeable. Even when she is the luckiest girl on the planet and everything is going her way, you still like her but it is when everything starts to go wrong is when she is at her most endearing.

As well Lindsay Lohan, the movie's is a mix of up and coming actors and British pop stars trying to make it big. Chris Pine is no stranger to starring with teenage sensation after appearing in 'The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement' but this is a role that lets him show his more comedic side. He has a real gift for physical comedy and has good chemistry with Lindsay. Samaire Armstrong and Bree Turner are good as Ashley's best friends Maggie and Dana. Brit Pop sensations McFly make their motion picture debuts and are not that bad, with only singer Tom Fletcher struggling with his lines.

The high concept storyline of 'Just my Luck' is not so far fetched as many other films in the genre. While the switching of luck from one person to another is a little kooky, the two main characters blame luck for their constant misfortune but soon realise that they might have the power to make their own luck. Of course the switch makes for some amusing set pieces and mishaps that will appeal to the young audience the film is targeted at.

'Just my Luck' works simply because of the presence of Lindsay Lohan. She and the talented young cast make the film a lot more watchable than it should have been, even for viewers outside of its target audience. Lets just hope that Lindsay can live up to her potential and take on some more challenging roles to prove that she is as talented as everyone hopes she is.

Mean Girls

The Usher Home | Hush, Hush... | The Big Story | The Usher Speaks

Stuck @ Home | Coming Soon | Links | Contact the Usher

2006