Movie Review: Good Luck Chuck
Published September 23, 2007
Now, if you expected this movie to be any good, you're kidding yourself. I went into this expecting it to be pretty bad. I went in hoping to get a few chuckles, and perhaps be surprised by something passable. Unfortunately, Good Luck Chuck fails to provide many laughs, tells a predictable tale, and proves something I suspected for some time: Dane Cook is not that funny.
It is pretty easy to see where this one went wrong, and it is even easier to see why it kept going wrong. Good Luck Chuck is a movie that revels in the crass and vulgar. Where a lighter touch could have made this mildly entertaining, the decision was made to layer on some more nudity and vulgarity.
Before getting to the movie itself, something has to be said about the advertising for it. The marketing campaign seems to have changed mid-stream. The early commercials all played off of Dane Cook and the idea that any girl who sleeps with him will then find her true love in the next person she meets. They also indicate that Jessica Alba's character was his true love and he has to avoid sleeping with her, lest he lose her forever. Then the commercials changed. No longer was Cook at the center. The focus shifted to Jessica Alba and her character's klutziness. I can only assume that the Cook-centric ads were not faring all that well in their test groups. It was strange how the ad campaign moved away from the central plot point and onto the focus of the lead's attentions. I guess I cannot fault them too much, I sure do like seeing more of Jessica Alba and less of Dane Cook on my television screen!
Now for the feature film.
Good Luck Chuck starts in 1985, Charlie Logan (aka the titular Chuck) is playing spin the bottle. When his turn comes up, his spin lands on a goth chick. Once locked in the closet, the girl professes her love for young Charlie. He spurns her, and she casts a hex on him which will forever deprive him of love. She says any girl that he is with will find true love with the next guy.
Fast forward to the present day. Charlie is a successful dentist and his best friend, Stu (Dan Balls of Fury Fogler), works across the hall as plastic surgeon who apparently specializes in breast augmentation. The comedy almost writes itself.
Anyway, Stu checks into Chuck's recent lady friends and discovers that they are all married. While attending the wedding of one his exes, the bride calls him her lucky charm. Well, that does it. The secret is out. Someone makes a post about him on PerfectMatch.com regarding his charm status and Chuck's life will never be the same. Women begin showing up at his office by the score. Always at his side, Stu is there to encourage him to enjoy the sexual escapades that have availed themselves to him.
Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about entertainment when he isn't sitting in a movie theater. He is known around the office as the "Movie Guy" and is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Interests include science fiction, horror, and metal music. His writings can be found at Draven99's Musings and Draven99's Media Center. 
- Movie Review: Good Luck Chuck
- Published: September 23, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Comedy
- Writer: Chris Beaumont
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Comments on this articleComments
I cannot believe how bad some of the reviews have been for this. What are some of you smoking? This was pretty darn funny. I've never heard of the lead character (Dane Cook) so I wasn't expecting this to be great but there sure were many funny 1 liners in this flick. I was very suprised. Sure it was a bit crass but some of that makes it quite humorous. I'm a big fan of flicks like Office Space, Napolean Dynamite and Sideways and this type of humor was along the same lines. It just seems that some people just don't "get it".
I "got it," I just didn't like it. Chuck isn't anywhere near the league of the three movies you named. Sure, I chuckled a couple of times, but it was not nearly enough to save this or make it a good movie.
Perhaps it isn't a case of what was I smoking but what should I have been smoking.
Well, I never see movies based on real movie critic's comments anyways. If I did, I would never make it to the theatre because many times they are way off as I believe you are here. However, it's all a matter of opinion. It was funny that you took the time out to answer/dispute my comments as they didn't align with yours. There would be no interesting movies out there if everyone thought the same... perhaps you do need to smoke out a little to chill and find some humor in life/movies.
Not trying to dispute your comments. Every movie has its fans, and I have been known to like some pretty lousy movies (for example I like Ultraviolet).
If you like it, I'm happy for you, no problems. I guess my issue would have to be the accusation that those who didn't like the movie "didn't get it." I have never liked that argument.
When it comes down to it, it is a matter of opinion. I love reading other reviews, but, like you, make up my own mind when I see it. I see tons of movies, 3-5 a week theatrically on a regular basis.
Anyway, no arguments, but since I get the comments mailed to me right away, I will occasionally respond to them.
Thanks for commenting, and I hope you'll check out some of my other reviews! :)
does anyone know the song that plays when he decides to "set her free" at the end. The lyrics say something like "when you get through what you're going through..... do everything that you want to do"
Please, I am desperate
Thanks
i wanna know the song for setting her free aswell ive been trying to find out!!!!
The song is 'Shut Me Out' by Aidan Hawken.
that song you are looking for is : Shut me out- Aiden Hawken
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I couldn't agree more. This movie was HORRIBLE and nothing like the commercials. Guess I missed the earlier commercials you meantioned. I only saw the warm, fuzzy ones! Horribly distasteful movie. I'm sure the only ones who enjoyed it were the 20 or so 15 year olds sitting in front of me that shouldn't have been there! :o(