Although the Super Bowl is about to be played this weekend, a couple new films come to theaters this weekend. As men prepare for one of the country’s favorite sporting event, women get a chance to go to theaters to check out Dear John [DEARJ]. The film is adapted from the novel by Nicholas Spark, a writer who has had many of his romance fictions adapted for the screen.
The first adaptation was 1999’s Message in a Bottle, followed by 2002’s A Walk to Remember. The most successful was The Notebook, which became a sleeper hit in 2004 with Rachel McAdams [RMCAD] and Ryan Gosling [RGOSL]. The next film Nights in Rodanthe didn’t fare as well as The Notebook.
This weekend, Dear John is hoping to become another word of mouth favorite like Notebook, while battling Avatar. Stars Amanda Seyfried [ASEYF] and Channing Tatum [CTATU] both bring their own followings. Seyfried gets her first lead role after co-starring in Mean Girls and Mamma Mia! Though better known for his action roles, Tatum did break out with Step Up. Dear John stars Tatum as a young soldier on leave who meets a college student, played by Seyfried. When he gets shipped out, the two try to keep in touch, but life circumstances threaten to tear them apart. Their love is sustained through a series of love letters over a period of seven years.
For those who loved The Notebook, Dear John could be a chance to revisit the same rush of emotion that accompanied viewing that film. Dear John includes many of the same elements, the uncertainty of a love trying to survive across long distances, a span of time that lends a sense of fatefulness and two likable characters. Throw in the element of war and the story takes on an even deeper dimension. Director Lasse Hallstom [LHALL] is no stranger to romantic drama, having made The Cider House Rules and Chocolat. Along with its two capable performers, the film should prove to be a winner all around.
If you’re in the mood for a romance to tug at your heartstrings, then check out Dear John as Tatum and Seyfried bring on the drama.
Tag(s): DEARJ, RMCAD, RGOSL, ASEYF, CTATU, LHALL