Three Iraq vets are back in the States. Sgt T.K. Poole (Michael Pena) is going home to his fiancée in Vegas. Pvt Colee Dunn (Rachel McAdams) is returning her boyfriend's guitar to his family in Vegas. Sgt Fred Cheever (Tim Robbins) is retired and going home to his wife in St. Louis. The three are stranded at JFK Airport and they rent a minivan for a road trip.

Rachel McAdams is oddly funny. In fact, all three actors do a good job. They have great chemistry together. It's like a three way boxing match. They fight, they laugh, they cry, and they hug. We have three solid actors doing some pretty interesting gymnastics.

A lot of things happen on this trip. Some of it is too out there. Let's just say the tornado is a little too much.

It's not about where you go ... it's about the way/road and how you are going to cross that, to get there. In other words, it's about the journey. It's about the fact, that while you are on your way, things (and maybe you) will change. It's about your flaws, about your personality and how you that will mix up with other people. It's about a story written in a great way and played by some great actors.

Rachel McAdams has the looks, but she also has the talent. You might not agree with the political statements Tim Robbins makes, but you can't fault his acting abilities. I forgot the name of the third lead, but I have seen him in a quite a few movies and he does deliver here too. A story more about the people, than any political statement. And that might be something, that some people will miss out in this. Like "what is the point?".

But that's exactly it. How can you explain life? How can you explain fully what you (or the characters in this case) are doing? You just can't. So the director (and screenwriter) stay true to just tell the story. And this works very fine.

See this film.

"The Lucky Ones" (2008) is a true hidden gem. I wasn't expecting much when I put the DVD in my player but before too long I knew I had stumbled on to something great.

THE PLOT: Three soldiers coming back from Iraq meet at JFK in NY where all flights are delayed due to a blackout. One soldier is older and getting out of the Army for good (Timothy Robbins),one has a serious groin injury and is trying to heal-up (Michael Pena) and the other is on leave to visit the family of a dead comrade (Rachel McAdams). They end up in a rental vehicle traveling across the country where they experience many sides of American culture and each other's deepest secrets, hopes and pains.

All three stars have great chemistry and Rachel McAdams (who I've never seen in a movie before) is a total revelation as Colee. Although Colee isn't highly educated she's not dumb. In fact, she excels socially and is the catalyst to hope and healing for the other two. A more beautiful, spunky, stimulating woman could hardly be found!

Both Timothy Robbins as Cheaver and Michael Pena as TK shine in their roles as well. Cheaver becomes the necessary father-figure in the trio and the others become increasingly concerned about the well-being of their temporary "dad."

The film features a good balance of Eastern and Western locations, shot in Illinois, Missouri, Colorado and Las Vegas.

FINAL WORD: I don't want to say anymore. If what I said perks your interest, be sure to check out "The Lucky Ones."

RUNTIME: 115 minutes

GRADE: A