The Lucky Ones (originally titled The Return) is a 2008 drama film directed by Neil Burger and starring Rachel McAdams, Tim Robbins and Michael Peña. Neil Burger and Dirk Wittenborn are the screenwriters.

Plot

The story revolves around three soldiers—Colee (Rachel McAdams), T.K. (Michael Pena) and Cheever (Tim Robbins)—who return from the Iraq War after suffering injuries and learn that life has moved on without them. They end up on an unexpected road trip across the U.S., with Collee on a mission to bring her boyfriend's guitar back to his family because he saved her life, T.K. seeking confidence to face his wife after a shrapnel injury that threatens his sexual function and middle-aged Cheever planning to hit the casinos in a desperate effort to pay for his son's college tuition.

Cast

    * Rachel McAdams as Colee
    * Michael Pena as T.K.
    * Tim Robbins as Cheever

The Production

The film was scheduled to begin shooting in May, 2007 with a budget of under $20 million, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

According to an Associated Press story (Tim Robbins jams with local Illinois band, published on msnbc.msnc.com on June 8, 2007), star Tim Robbins made an unannounced appearance at a bar in Edwardsville, Illinois after shooting in the town that day, performing on guitar with a local band. Edwardsville's Main Street passes for Denver's Larimer Square in the film, according to a Belleville Press-Democrat story published June 7, 2007.