USA 2015
Opening March 10, 2016
Directed by: Ross Katz
Writing credits: Brian Sipe
Principle actors: Teresa Palmer, Benjamin Walker, Maggie Grace, Tom Welling, Tom
Wilkinson
This love story is based on (one of) the bestselling novels by Nicholas Sparks. Maybe if you liked the book, you might like the film. Sorry to say, I didn’t like either but especially not the film. It’s a bore with contrived exchanges and no chemistry between the main protagonists. Not even the Hallmark-type ‘Happy Family’, ‘Happy Friends’ and ‘Happy Puppies’ shots, nor the gorgeous scenes of the Southern coastline are enough to elicit any feelings. Travis (Walker) is a good-looking, easygoing lady’s man without serious attachments. Gabby (Palmer), his new neighbor is a beautiful med student whose long-term boyfriend (Welling) will shortly leave for a business trip. This is the opportunity for Gabby and Travis to make their first fateful choice
What unfolds — spanning a decade— has been told before and more successfully. After a long while the film arrives at the serious part of this film, actually back at the first scene, at a local hospital. A grave decision has to be made. The film is accompanied by Travis’ narration, giving his thoughts on ‘choices’, and how each has its consequence. Spelling out the meaning of this film wasn’t such a bad idea. There is a good chance the audience will miss the point otherwise. ()