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Good Luck Chuck
Good Luck Chuck
from Wikipedia
Good Luck Chuck
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMark Helfrich
Written byJosh Stolberg
Produced byMike Karz
Starring
CinematographyAnthony B. Richmond
Edited byJulia Wong
Music byAaron Zigman
Production
company
Karz Entertainment
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
  • September 21, 2007 (2007-09-21)
Running time
99 minutes
101 minutes (unrated cut)
CountriesUnited States[1]
Canada[1]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$25 million[2]
Box office$59.8 million[3]

Good Luck Chuck is a 2007 romantic comedy film directed by Mark Helfrich, written by Josh Stolberg, and starring Dane Cook and Jessica Alba. In the film, women find their "one true love" after having sex with a dentist named Chuck (Cook). Chuck meets a girl named Cam (Alba) and tries to become her true love.

Good Luck Chuck was the directorial debut of Helfrich, a long-time film editor. It was released in theaters on September 21, 2007, by Lionsgate, and was panned by critics. Despite this, it grossed $59.8 million against a $25 million budget. One of its theatrical posters parodied the well-known Rolling Stone cover photographed by Annie Leibovitz featuring John Lennon and Yoko Ono in similar poses.

Plot

[edit]

While playing spin the bottle / seven minutes in heaven at a party in 1985, 10-year-old Charlie "Chuck" Logan refuses the sexual advances of a goth girl named Anisha Carpenter. In retaliation, she places a hex on him, saying that once a girl has been with him, "to the next, she will be true".

At present, Chuck is a successful dentist, running a practice in the office opposite his best friend Stu's plastic surgery business. While being sexually intimate with his girlfriend Carol, Chuck cannot reply that he loves her too, prompting her to immediately break up with him.

Stu and Chuck attend the wedding of one of Chuck's ex-girlfriends, Katie. During the reception, she toasts Chuck for being her lucky charm, which gains the interest of his female tablemates. He becomes enamored with Cam Wexler, an unusually clumsy, yet attractive and friendly penguin scientist working at a marine mammal park.

The next day, Chuck's office is full of women. He asks Stu if anything's different about him; they also find that Carol is engaged thanks to Chuck being a lucky charm. His date that evening wants to have sex with him because of the charm, but he gets an emergency call from Cam, who chipped her tooth in a work accident at the penguin exhibit.

Chuck fixes her tooth, but instead of accepting monetary payment, he asks her out for dinner, but Cam declines as she is not emotionally ready. He returns home to find his receptionist Reba coming onto him hoping he will be her lucky charm.

Stu encourages Chuck to indulge in more "guilt-free sex", and he does so. However, he still has feelings for Cam and asks her out. Their relationship deepens, but when Stu calls him and tells him that every single woman Chuck had slept with has gotten married, Chuck gets cold feet and leaves.

Stu and Chuck test the curse on the ugly, morbidly obese Eleanor. Observing that she is not seeing anyone, Chuck has sex with her and then makes Stu ask her out. Meanwhile, Chuck pretends to be sick, so maintains a distant relationship with Cam by phone and computer video. After Stu confirms he did it, yet Eleanor hasn't fallen for him, Chuck rushes to Cam's place and they have sex.

The next morning, when Chuck sees Eleanor on TV happily kissing another man, he angrily calls Stu, who admits he only pretended to ask her out. Worried that Cam will now find her true love, he smothers her in increasingly annoying ways, until she eventually dumps him.

While talking with Reba, Chuck sees a bottle spinning on the ground, which reminds him of the hex from his childhood. So, he and Stu locate Anisha's home. Chuck asks Anisha to remove the curse, but she insists that it is not truly real and that her love back then was just a childhood crush. Anisha encourages him to let go of the girl he is interested in if he truly loves her.

Chuck arranges for Cam to meet Howard Blaine, the penguin expert and author she admires. Later, Stu and his new three-breasted fiancée Lara tell him that Cam is heading to Antarctica with Howard. Chuck catches her on the plane and pleads with her not to go, but Cam explains that she will be back on Wednesday and is going with both Howard and his wife.

Chuck leaves Cam with a ring box with a pebble, a reference to a previous discussion about what penguins do to court a lifetime mate. She calls him back and they kiss. Meanwhile, Anisha pulls out her old childhood occult keepsake box, and removes a pin from the voodoo doll of Chuck. A year later, Chuck and Cam are in Antarctica together looking at the southern lights while surrounded by penguins.

During the closing credits, the housesitting Stu and Lara find a sex tape involving Chuck, Cam, and a stuffed penguin.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Good Luck Chuck was filmed from late September to mid-November 2006. The film was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, and also partly in Edmonton, Alberta, using the Alberta Film Studio for the aquarium scenes and the neighborhood of Old Strathcona for exterior shots.[4]

Soundtrack

[edit]

The soundtrack was released on 18 September 2007.

  1. "I Was Zapped by the Lucky Super Rainbow" (Flaming Lips)
  2. "Accident Prone" (The Honorary Title)
  3. "Good Luck Chuck" (The Dandy Warhols)
  4. "Love It When You Call" – Cherrytree House Version (The Feeling)
  5. "Good Weekend" (Art Brut)
  6. "Hurry Up Let's Go" (Shout Out Louds)
  7. "Shut Me Out" (Aidan Hawken) – 2:49
  8. "You're Gonna Get It" (Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings)
  9. "The Whistle Song" (Pepper)
  10. "You Might Think" (The Cars)
  11. "Physical" (Olivia Newton-John)
  12. "Bela Lugosi's Dead" (Bauhaus)
  13. "Crazy in Love" (Antique Gold)

Reception

[edit]

Good Luck Chuck was panned by critics. According to Rotten Tomatoes, only 5% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 114 reviews. The site's consensus states: "A shortage of laughs and an undercurrent of mean-spiritedness undermine Good Luck Chuck, squandering a decent premise on gross-out humor and shopworn slapstick."[5] On Metacritic, the film had an average score of 19 out of 100, based on 23 reviews, indicating "overwhelming dislike".[6]

Roger Ebert awarded the film 1 out of 4 stars, branding it "potty-mouthed and brain-damaged", whilst his reviewing partner, Richard Roeper also rated it poorly.[7][8]

British film critic Mark Kermode named it the worst film of 2007.[9]

Box office

[edit]

The film was the second-highest-grossing film at the U.S. box office in its opening weekend, grossing $13.6 million in 2,612 theaters.[3][10] The film went on to have a total box office tally of approximately $35 million U.S. and $24 million foreign.

Accolades

[edit]

The film earned two Razzie Award nominations including Worst Actress (Jessica Alba) and Worst Screen Couple (Alba and Dane Cook), but lost to Lindsay Lohan for I Know Who Killed Me.[11]

Award Category Nominee Result
Golden Raspberry Awards[11] Worst Actress Jessica Alba Nominated
Worst Screen Combo Jessica Alba and Dane Cook

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Good Luck Chuck is a American film directed by Mark Helfrich and written by , starring as dentist Charlie Logan and as marine biologist Cam Wexler. The story centers on a curse placed on Charlie in childhood, causing every woman he dates to find her true love with the next man she encounters, which turns him into an unlikely matchmaker sought after by single women hoping to break their romantic dry spells. He meets Cam, with whom he develops genuine feelings, prompting efforts to reverse the curse before she moves on. The film was produced by Lionsgate and released in theaters on September 21, 2007, with a runtime of 99 minutes and an R rating for strong sexual content, nudity, and language. Made on a budget of $25 million, it grossed $35 million domestically and $59.8 million worldwide, achieving moderate commercial success. Critically, it received overwhelmingly negative reviews, earning a 5% Tomatometer score on based on 112 reviews and a Metascore of 19 out of 100 on from 23 critics, often criticized for its crude humor and formulaic plot. Audience reception was mixed, with a 4.4 user score on and a 5.6 rating on from nearly 98,000 votes.

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

In 1985, ten-year-old Charlie Logan is at a birthday party playing "Seven Minutes in Heaven," where he is paired in a closet with a goth girl named Anisha. Refusing to kiss her, Charlie humiliates her, prompting Anisha to curse him in retaliation: any woman who sleeps with him will immediately find her true love with the very next man she encounters. Twenty years later, adult Charlie (Dane Cook), now a successful dentist, has resigned himself to a life of fleeting romantic encounters, exploiting the curse for casual hookups that inevitably end with his partners moving on to their soulmates—and often inviting him to their weddings as a "good luck charm." His best friend, Stu (), revels in this setup, scheming to maximize Charlie's exploits, such as suggesting risky escapades. Charlie's routine changes when he treats Cam Wexler (), a clumsy, free-spirited penguin trainer at a local aquarium who chips her tooth after slipping in the penguin exhibit. Despite Cam's reluctance to commit, the two hit it off and begin , though their budding romance is plagued by comedic obstacles: Cam's accident-prone nature leads to mishaps like her breaking her arm during a romantic getaway, and a disastrous visit to the penguin exhibit where Charlie falls into the enclosure and is bitten in the groin by an aggressive . Desperate to consummate their relationship and "activate" the curse before Cam falls for someone else, Charlie repeatedly tries to sleep with her, but interruptions abound—including Stu's meddling interventions and Cam's oblivious exes resurfacing with jealous advances. As Charlie attends yet another wedding of a former flame, he realizes his genuine feelings for Cam run deeper than convenience. In a bid to ensure her happiness, he reluctantly sets her up with Dr. Wessler, a renowned penguin she idolizes, leading Cam to accept a research trip to . However, Charlie races to the airport to confess his love just as she boards, prompting Cam to abandon the trip and affirm her mutual affection. With true love solidified between them, the curse finally breaks, allowing Charlie and Cam to build a lasting relationship free from its effects.

Cast

The principal cast of Good Luck Chuck features comedian in the lead alongside , supported by a mix of comedic and character who portray the film's ensemble of friends, family, and romantic interests.
ActorRoleDescription
Dr. Charlie LoganA dealing with an unusual romantic curse that affects his relationships.
Cam WexlerAn adventurous yet accident-prone animal handler who works with penguins.
Dr. Stu KlaminskyCharlie's crude and loyal best friend, a plastic surgeon specializing in who provides and support.
RebaStu's no-nonsense wife, adding grounded humor to the central friendships.
JoeCam's brother, involved in her personal life and adventures.
Michelle HarrisonAnishaThe receptionist at Charlie's dental practice, handling daily office interactions.
CarolOne of Charlie's ex-girlfriends, representing his past romantic encounters.
Howard LoganCharlie's father, offering familial perspective in key family scenes.
Younger versions of the main characters are played by child actors, including as young Charlie, a boy navigating early awkward social experiences, and as young Stu, his mischievous best friend. portrays the goth girl from Charlie's childhood, a pivotal early figure in the story's backstory.

Production

Development

The screenplay for Good Luck Chuck was written by , based on a by Steve Glenn. Stolberg developed it as a , which sold to Lionsgate in 2003 after attracting interest in a competitive bidding environment. The project initially entered development at , where the studio acquired the script. However, New Line later relinquished distribution rights to Lionsgate shortly before production commenced, allowing the latter to take over as the primary studio. In 2004, Mark Helfrich was attached to direct, marking his feature film directorial debut after a career as an editor on comedies including (2001) and The Longest Yard (2005). Producer Mike Karz, through his Karz Entertainment banner, handled key creative oversight, setting the production budget at $25 million to support a raunchy tone inspired by contemporary hits like (2005). Dane Cook was cast in the lead role early in development, drawn to the script's premise of a dentist under a "reverse " that turns his ex-girlfriends into brides for their next partners, leveraging his fame from albums like (2003) and Retaliation (2005). Pre-production ramped up in 2006, focusing on comedic casting to emphasize the film's blend of humor and romantic elements centered on the curse's mechanics.

Filming

Principal photography for Good Luck Chuck took place from late September to mid-November 2006, primarily in , , , with additional filming in , , at the Alberta Film Studios for certain aquarium interiors. Key locations included the in for scenes involving penguin habitats, where animal trainers positioned the birds and monitored their welfare to prevent stress or injury during takes. Other notable sites were Cecil Green Park House at the for simulated wedding sequences and various Vancouver-area stands for dental office exteriors and interiors, which were constructed on soundstages to replicate Charlie Logan's workplace. The film's cinematography was handled by , who employed practical lighting and handheld techniques to capture the comedic energy of the physical stunts, such as Cam Wexler's mishaps, using on-set rigs and minimal digital augmentation for authenticity. Challenges arose with the penguin actors, requiring multiple short takes to accommodate their natural behaviors while adhering to animal safety protocols certified by the American Humane Association; no incidents were reported. Explicit scenes posed logistical hurdles, including the use of body doubles for nudity and closed sets to ensure performer comfort. Director Mark Helfrich encouraged an improvisational style on set, allowing and to ad-lib dialogue in curse-related sequences for better comedic timing, which necessitated minor reshoots to refine pacing without altering the core narrative. Filming schedules were adjusted around Jessica Alba's concurrent commitments, condensing her scenes into intensive blocks in to align with her availability. Cook's involvement in bits, like pratfalls and chases, relied on practical effects teams for safe execution, emphasizing to avoid injuries during the fast-paced shoot.

Release

Marketing and Promotion

Lionsgate's campaign for Good Luck Chuck centered on capitalizing on Dane Cook's established fanbase among young adults and the film's high-concept curse premise, which positioned the as an unwitting matchmaker through romantic encounters. Under co-president of theatrical Tim Palen, the strategy shifted emphasis from the romantic elements to the movie's and pratfalls, aiming to differentiate it in a crowded landscape despite early critical dismissal. Trailers played a key role, with standard versions teasing the curse gimmick and Cook's everyman appeal, while red-band editions amplified the raunchy humor to appeal directly to mature audiences seeking irreverent laughs. Posters prominently displayed Cook and Jessica Alba in playful poses, accompanied by taglines like "There's something funny about Dane" to underscore the star-driven comedy. The film held its world premiere on September 19, 2007, at the Mann National Theatre in , drawing celebrities and media attention to build pre-release hype. Promotion also leaned into the film's controversial explicit content, particularly the outtakes featuring a stuffed penguin in a simulated sexual act during the credits, which generated buzz and informed adult-oriented ad placements across and online platforms.

Theatrical Release

Good Luck Chuck was released theatrically in the United States on September 21, 2007, by , marking its wide debut on 2,612 screens. The film had a runtime of 99 minutes and received an R rating from the of America for sequences of strong sexual content, nudity, language, and some drug use, reflecting the explicit nature of its scenes. The theatrical rollout faced competition from new releases like Resident Evil: Extinction and holdover films including The Brave One. Internationally, the film began its distribution in 2007, with openings in on October 25 and on October 11, followed by the on November 9. , as a co-producing country, shared the U.S. release date of September 21. Promotional trailers contributed to pre-release buzz by highlighting the film's comedic premise and star pairing.

Home Media

The home video release of Good Luck Chuck began with Lionsgate Home Entertainment issuing the film on DVD and Blu-ray on , 2008, in both rated and unrated editions. The standard widescreen DVD featured an track with director Mark Helfrich, star , producer Mike Karz, and writer , alongside featurettes such as "Good Luck Chuckles," "Real Life Chuck," and "Polymastia," as well as deleted and alternate scenes. The unrated version extended the runtime to 101 minutes with additional explicit content, including reshoot scenes for certain intimate sequences, and incorporated a gag reel highlighting on-set bloopers. These extras emphasized the film's comedic production process, with the commentary praised for its energetic discussions on improvisations and cast dynamics. The Blu-ray debut, titled the "Chucked Up Edition," launched simultaneously with the DVD and mirrored its special features, including the gag reel and featurettes, while offering enhanced video quality in a 1.78:1 . Digital distribution followed, with the film becoming available for purchase and rental on platforms like in the late 2000s, and streaming on throughout the 2010s. By 2025, Good Luck Chuck remains accessible on major services such as for subscription viewing and Prime Video, Amazon Video, , and Vudu for rent or purchase, reflecting sustained demand for its rom-com appeal. DVD sales played a key role in the film's post-theatrical profitability, with 1,484,670 units sold during 2008 alone, generating approximately $25.75 million in revenue and topping charts in its debut week with over 587,000 units. This strong home media performance, bolstered by the film's moderate box office earnings, helped Lionsgate recoup its $25 million budget and establish Good Luck Chuck as a viable title for ongoing digital re-releases.

Music

Soundtrack

The soundtrack album for Good Luck Chuck, titled Good Luck Chuck: Motion Picture Soundtrack, was released on September 18, 2007, by Lakeshore Records. It comprises 14 tracks, primarily licensed , and indie songs curated to underscore the film's comedic and romantic sequences, including both contemporary hits and select new recordings from established artists. The selection draws inspiration from upbeat 1980s-style compilations, emphasizing energetic and playful tunes to align with the movie's tone. Songs were chosen post-filming during the editing process to enhance scene pacing and mood, with contributions from artists like and providing exclusive material tailored to the narrative. No songs were originally composed solely for the film beyond these targeted recordings; the album focuses on pre-existing catalog tracks adapted for comedic effect. These selections briefly amplify humorous moments through ironic or lively rhythms, without dominating the dialogue-driven humor. Key tracks and their usages in the film include:
  • "Do You Want To" by Franz Ferdinand: Plays during the scene where Chuck drives Cam to collect her extra set of keys.
  • "I Want You" by : Featured in the montage showing the curse's effect with multiple women in Chuck's bed.
  • "Waking Up in Vegas" by : Plays during an intimate scene where Chuck and Cam kiss on the couch near candles.
  • "The Way I Are" by featuring and D.O.E.: Plays during the scene where Chuck pretends to be ill and chats with Cam online.
  • "Good Luck Chuck" by : The title track, written specifically for the film, used in the sex montage midway through.
Other notable inclusions are "I Was Zapped by the Lucky Super Rainbow" by , used in the happy ending scene, and "Love Is a Stranger" by .
TrackArtistSong Title
1I Was Zapped by the Lucky Super Rainbow
2Accident Prone
3Good Luck Chuck
4Love It When You Call (Cherrytree House Version)
5Good Weekend
6Hurry Up Let's Go
7 feat. & D.O.E.The Way I Are
8Along the Way
9Could We
10T. RexBang a Gong (Get It On)
11Franz FerdinandDo You Want To
12
13I Want You
14

Original Score

The original score for Good Luck Chuck was composed by . Zigman, an award-winning composer recognized for his versatile work across more than 60 films including romantic comedies like and Step Up, brought a fresh approach to the project's music by exploring previously uncharted sonic territories in film scoring. Recorded in 2007 during , the score supports the film's comedic tone. This non-lyrical complements the licensed songs in the by providing subtle, mood-enhancing cues that highlight the romantic and humorous arcs without dominating the .

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reception

Upon its release in 2007, Good Luck Chuck received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, who lambasted its crude humor, predictable plot, and reliance on nudity over substantive storytelling. On , the film holds a 5% approval rating based on 112 reviews, with an average score of 2.9/10, reflecting a broad consensus that it failed as both a and a character-driven . Similarly, aggregates a score of 19 out of 100 from 23 critics, categorizing the reception as "overwhelming dislike" due to its juvenile tone and lack of originality. Prominent reviewers highlighted specific flaws while offering limited praise for the leads' performances. Roger Ebert awarded the film 2 out of 4 stars, commending Dane Cook's "potentially likable" presence and Jessica Alba's charm as a "cutie," but deriding the story as "slimy and scummy" with a "creaky plot device" that prioritized breast-focused gags over genuine laughs or development. Variety described it as a "painfully flaccid romantic comedy" that squandered its stars, though it noted Cook's charisma and some comedic moments from supporting actors like Dan Fogler; the outlet criticized its uneven tone, misogynistic elements, and repetitive juvenile antics. While some reviews, including audience-oriented critiques on Rotten Tomatoes, praised the on-screen chemistry between Cook and Alba for injecting occasional fun into the edgier sequences, this was a minority view amid widespread complaints of predictability and over-reliance on explicit content. Thematically, critics often interpreted the film's central curse—where women who date protagonist Charlie find true love elsewhere—as a shallow for , reinforcing dated dynamics. review emphasized its misogynistic undertones, pointing to the objectification of female characters through gratuitous topless scenes and demeaning humor, such as gags involving overweight women or absurd sexual mishaps, which reduced women to props in a male-centric wish-fulfillment tale. These elements contributed to the film's reputation as emblematic of mid-2000s raunch comedies that prioritized over wit or empathy, despite its commercial success contrasting the critical disdain.

Box Office Performance

Good Luck Chuck opened in 2,612 theaters on September 21, 2007, earning $13.65 million over its first weekend and finishing second at the North American box office behind Resident Evil: Extinction, which grossed $24 million. The film went on to accumulate $35.02 million in domestic ticket sales. Internationally, it added $24.75 million, bringing the worldwide gross to $59.8 million against a $25 million production budget and confirming its profitability. This performance benefited from Dane Cook's surging popularity as a stand-up at the time, alongside the broader appeal of R-rated romantic comedies in 2007. Earnings dropped sharply in later weeks, however, with the domestic total representing just 2.56 times the opening weekend figure, reflecting poor word-of-mouth.

Accolades

Good Luck Chuck received a mix of nominations, predominantly in categories highlighting its controversial elements, with no major positive accolades. At the held in 2008, the film earned two nominations: Worst Actress for (shared with her roles in Awake and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) and Worst Screen Couple for and . Neither nomination resulted in a win. In the advertising realm, it was nominated for Best Romance TV Spot at the 2008 , recognizing its promotional materials. The included Good Luck Chuck in their 2007 list of Most Offensive Male Characters, critiquing it among films deemed egregious in the portrayal of women. This recognition, along with the Razzie nods, reflected the film's polarizing reception despite its commercial success.

Cultural Impact

Upon its release, Good Luck Chuck drew significant backlash for its portrayal of women as sexual objects and its reliance on crude, misogynistic humor, which critics argued reinforced harmful gender stereotypes prevalent in mid-2000s romantic comedies. The film's extensive and graphic sex scenes, including a montage of characters eagerly pursuing the for casual encounters, were lambasted as exploitative and devoid of meaningful character development. This criticism aligned with broader 2007 media debates on raunchy rom-com tropes, where films like Good Luck Chuck were seen as shifting the genre toward male-centric, objectifying narratives that prioritized over emotional depth. The film's end-credits sequence, featuring the lead character engaging in absurd acts with a stuffed penguin, amplified the controversy by extending the movie's vulgar tone into juvenile territory, with one reviewer noting it would "ruin forever" innocent associations with . While not sparking organized protests, these elements contributed to the film's reputation as emblematic of pre-#MeToo era , where such content was often normalized despite ethical concerns over and representation. In terms of legacy, Good Luck Chuck achieved limited appeal through home media sales and streaming, where audiences embraced its over-the-top raunchiness as "so bad it's good" entertainment, though it never attained widespread reverence. The movie's poor and reliance on marked a turning point in discussions of 2000s comedy's decline, highlighting how formulaic, sex-driven plots alienated viewers seeking more nuanced storytelling. The film also negatively influenced star Dane Cook's career trajectory, coinciding with escalating allegations from 2005–2007 that overshadowed his Hollywood ambitions and led to fewer leading roles thereafter. Retrospectively, Good Luck Chuck is cited in analyses of gender politics in , serving as a cautionary example of how unchecked tropes in curse-based rom-coms perpetuated dated attitudes toward relationships and sexuality. As of 2025, it remains a relic of an era before heightened awareness of these issues reshaped the genre.

References

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