DEAR JOHN
LAURIE COKER'S REVIEW
RATING: D+/C-
Nicholas Sparks novels are Nicholas Sparksey, the way Andrew Lloyd Webber is Andrew Lloyd Webbery. This is to say that going in, anyone who knows anything about either of these men knows exactly what to expect. With Sparks, it is love, love lost, love tormented over, and love regained ? his formula. I knew this going in to ?Dear John,? starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried, so felt prepared for the heart-wrenching, predictable sappiness of it all, but hoped for surprise, or, at the very least, to be pleased by the cast.
Average former high school hooligan John Tyree (Tatum) and rich girl Savannah (Seyfried) meet on a beautiful South Carolina beach during his leave from the army and her break from college. The pair find instant attraction, and (much to another of her admirers? chagrin) Amy becomes totally smitten with John and visa versa. Quite obviously, and all too transparently, the relationship starts with a dark cloud looming. The couple meets on vacation, she attends college, and he is slated to return to Iraq ? all after two weeks? time. Still, they fall deeply, passionately and head over heels in love. Aww! How sweet. John only has 12 months left on his tour and so they appease each other with promises of writing letters to keep the flame burning until they meet again when his duty ends.
Seyfried and Tatum do please in this. She has chosen far better roles in the past than he, but in this their chemistry is palpable. They are beautiful people, so watching them, especially Tatum shirtless, makes the sugary sweet story a bit easier to endure. When these two dynamic stars share the screen, even if they are meant to be squeaky, virginally clean, the screen heats up, but, sadly, their courting period is only one third of the films? storyline. After they part, with promises to stay true, we get a video montage of letter writing and snippets from each one?s life, but then 9/11 happens and John re-ups for a second term. At first trying to stay true, Savannah, pulled away by a personal obligation, moves on, finally sending the titular ?Dear John? letter.
Director Lass Hallström offers beautiful settings, moving images and touching romance, but he cannot escape Sparks? formulaic dribble. Don?t get me wrong. I love, love, love a good love story, but I like surprises, and long for freshness and realism. Screenwriter Jamie Linden (and Sparks in his novel) doesn?t want to offer just one obstacle for our young lovers. No, we get war, duty, separation, socially challenged friends and family members, and cancer. Whew, what else can be tossed into the mix? Where Alzheimer?s played powerfully into Sparks? ?The Notebook,? all these obstacles plague our lovers and the end result is tiring to say the least.
One plus for me lies in Richard Jenkins, who plays John?s autistic, social misfit father, whose main pleasure lies in his admiring his amazing coin collection and in making a set dinner each night. What a remarkable actor! His portrayal is pitch perfect and the interaction between Jenkins and his young co-stars moved me. I still say it is a darn shame Jenkins wasn?t given an Oscar for his role in last years? The Visitor.? The balance of the cast is acceptable, but Seyfried, Tatum and Jenkins make ?Dear John? watchable, even if the story does not.
As with Sparks? other novels, ?Dear John? spans a pretty good chunk of time ? years ? and yet, the characters never change, especially Savannah, who looks the same from the moment we meet her to the final scene years later. Really? I thought we had come a long way with aging make-up and computer generated wrinkles. I suppose the theory here is that the film?s target audience doesn?t want to see older people kissing, but no, that can?t be it. We did get the romance between James Garner and Gena Rowlands in ?The Notebook.? Heck, I don?t know, but I do know I found it distracting and silly that Savannah and John never grow older, while his dad and others do.
Several people left the screening sniffling ? mostly teen girls. I can see where they will like it and get all giddy, but I am guessing giddiness is more because of how hot Tatum looks shirtless on a surfboard, shooting out of the waves with water rolling down his buff, tanned body. It worked for me. He caught my interest and I like the brooding, bad boy type anyway. But I digress. I faulted ?When in Rome? star Josh Duhamel for not taking off his shirt, so I have to stay true to my belief system, don?t I?
Truth is, ?Dear John? is better than ?When in Rome,? and not just because Tatum shows us some smoking abs. They are very different films, but still, entertainment is entertainment, and neither succeeds in holding my interest. ?Dear John,? rated PG-13, does what it is meant to do and, except for the ending, stays true to its source material, but for me the nearly two hour long film plays out like the six years over which the story spans. Strong acting once again cannot save a flawed script, even with pretty settings and beautiful stars. I am placing a D+/C- in my grade book. Okay, so the shirtlessness did account for the borderline grade.
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HAYLIN BELAY'S REVIEW
RATING: C-
Have I mentioned how little room there is in my heart for chick flicks? Well, Nicholas Sparks is one of few exceptions. Best known for penning the novels that spawned sweeping romance features like A WALK TO REMEMBER and THE NOTEBOOK, Sparks has the uncanny ability to play emotions like a fiddle - his stories absolutely command the presence of a Kleenex box. I went into DEAR JOHN hoping for an experience similar to that of THE NOTEBOOK; an all-encompassing romance, with main characters so madly in love it is impossible not to root for them. I wanted to be caught up in a true and abiding love, with characters I cherished as much individually as I did together and a story that took a back seat to kisses in the rain and impassioned speeches by stunning male leads so desperately in love they have nothing left to lose. I was hoping - for the first time in my life - for a chick flick. Judging by how sorely disappointing DEAR JOHN is, it will probably be the last.
DEAR JOHN follows John (Channing Tatum) and Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), an annoyingly white bread couple with absolutely no personality to speak of, other than the fact that John is a Green Beret and Savannah has a passion for working with special needs children. There are about six different subplots happening simultaneously in this film, and each of them could spawn a movie in its own right. For example, I would have loved to see a film about John's relationship with his father, played flawlessly by Richard Jenkins. The scenes between John and Mr. Tyree were fascinating, thick with tension, and actually brought me to tears at one point in the film. (Yes, I cried. Big sobbing tears like a little girl.) That one scene, at least, shows that Sparks can still tug on the heart strings just as well as ever. However, DEAR JOHN is not about a boy struggling to accept his father. Nor is it about the interesting relationship between Savannah and her neighbor Tim (Henry Thomas), a single father raising an autistic boy. It's not even a film about a summer fling that turns into deep abiding love and is torn apart by the unexpectedness of war, which could have been a fantastic - and classic - tearjerker. In fact, with so much going on both in terms of plot and theme, it's hard to say what DEAR JOHN is about. It certainly isn't about John and Savannah - the time spent exploring their personalities and their relationship is mostly cut to a few make-out scenes, one utterly awkward sex scene, and a montage of them "bonding" over the two weeks that they fall in love.
Yawn. Double yawn. DEAR JOHN is a little short of two hours long, and it feels like it lasts for all six years that the movie spans. It would help if the film had a little more focus. Alright, any focus. As I said, there are a handful of elements of the film that could support it in their own right; together, however, it just makes for a disorienting film. Just when I begrudgingly bought into the "summer fling" aspect, I was suddenly being thrust into war, or his relationship with his father, or his ambiguous "bad boy" past, or any other number of thematic or plot points that, no matter how interesting, couldn't all be established to their fullest when they were competing with each other. The one constant in the film is John and Savannah's relationship, but their love story is shunted to the side, time and time again, to follow those other storylines. The result is a strained relationship that, at the best of times, is bland and forced, and, at the worst of times, seems emotionally unhealthy.
Ultimately, DEAR JOHN just fails to please on any level. Similarly to BOOK OF ELI, it seemed as though the film had no idea what its real story and message was; there was absolutely no focus, making each scene seem only loosely connected to the next. When it hits high points, it hits hard; there are some really fantastic elements of the film, but, as I said, they simply aren't discussed in any kind of real depth. Of course, there will be people who like it just because they like chick flicks, and they're completely entitled to that opinion. But for the more skeptical or cynical - those who like a little meat on the bones of their romantic stories - DEAR JOHN is no THE NOTEBOOK. It's no A WALK TO REMEMBER. Hell, it's hardly LEAP YEAR - at least that movie knows where it is going. It's saved from a failing grade for some excellent drama hidden deep under a superficial and boring plot, and the fact that it's poised to be incredibly successful on the sheer virtue of Nicholas Sparks's name, but really, I would recommend rental at the very best. It's just not worth the ten dollars.
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LIZ LOPEZ' REVIEW
RATING: B+
The novel by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, Dear John, published in 2009, has been adapted by director Lasse Hallström for film fans to view in theaters starting February 5th. I have no doubt fans of this author?s other books that have been adapted and turned into blockbusters, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember and The Notebook (2005), anxiously await this romantic drama.
I have not completed reading the Spanish translation of the Dear John novel available to me titled Querido John, but the film version is very similar to the novel about a young soldier home on leave John Tyree (Channing Tatum) and a young college student, Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), who fall in love during spring break.
From the title of the film, the genre (a romantic drama) and the brief statement about young lovers during spring break, it is easy for a viewer to come to a conclusion that this story is predictable. Well, it is true; the ending does not deviate from standard romantic plots, but the road to this conclusion is not without plenty of heartbreak for years on end and some interesting twists and turns in the story.
Savannah does remain faithful to her true love while he is deployed, but there does come a point in her life when she does send John the unanticipated ?Dear John? letter while he is deployed overseas. None of the war films that I have ever seen, in any language, have any military personnel handle the sudden departure by their loved one in a good manner. John Tyree is no different in this novel or the film, despite the fact it is the current war the US is involved in. The scene when John burns all of Savannah?s love letters that he treasured does not a surprise me. The person for whom she left him does, and also surprises John in the movie.
Did I get emotional over some of the scenes in this movie? Yes, I did, but it is not because of the romance ending that I had pretty much anticipated. I am extremely moved by the beautiful story within this film about a single father, Mr. Tyree (Richard Jenkins) who has raised his son John, despite the loss of his wife and the condition that affects his quality of life.
Most of the film reflects a distance between John and his father, but the flashbacks to his childhood show a great deal of love and devotion by Mr. Tyree. It is not until Savannah comes into John?s life that she creates a bridge to try to close the gap. The scene when John returns from oversees and is in the hospital with his father sharing a letter is one of the best in the film. Richard Jenkins is a great actor and portrayed the character very well, along with Channing. This scene put this film higher up on the rating scale for me, as well as when it is revealed who Savannah had started a life with and the reason for her ?Dear John? letter.
This story will appeal to people of different ages and genders, as there is a variety of characters that some people with whom will identify. Amanda is young, beautiful and convincing as a young educated and giving individual. It may come across as a ?chick flick? to some, but I believe Sparks has another blockbuster this year.
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MARK SALDANA'S REVIEW
RATING: 3 (Out of 4 Stars)
Maintaining a committed relationship can be a challenge within itself. When a couple tries to maintain this commitment when separated by a long distance, this multiplies the challenges. DEAR JOHN addresses the troubles of maintaining a long distance relationship between a college student and an Army soldier stationed overseas. Still, there are married couples who have remained together despite this major obstacle. There are many people living in the US who have spouses or significant others in the military overseas in Iraq and other locations fighting the war on terror. While difficult, it is not an impossible task. This film, based on the celebrated novel by Nicholas Sparks (THE NOTEBOOK), presents a story about the problems that often arise in these long distance relationships among other challenges faced in every day life.
Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) meets John (Channing Tatum) while on spring break. John is home on leave from the Army. The two form an instant attraction, which leads to a romantic relationship. When John has to return to Germany where he is stationed and Savannah has to return to college, they agree to remain committed to one another and write each other regularly. The two stay true to their commitment for a while. Unfortunately, right before his deployment is about to end, the attacks on 9-11 take place and John feels obligated to sign up for re-enlistment. Because of the war, Savannah and John are separated for several years and face even greater challenges of maintaining this relationship and an uncertain future.
Screenwriter Jamie Linden (WE ARE MARSHALL) adapts the novel by Sparks for the big screen. Prior to writing this review, I did some research on comparisons between the novel and the film. I felt the need to do this since I have not read the book. Fans of the novel will probably be disappointed as Linden chose to change the ending of the story. For the movie doc, the film ends unrealistically and somewhat abruptly. There is no satisfying epilogue giving audiences a taste of the future of these characters. Without revealing too much of the story for those who haven?t read the book, I also feel that some of Savannah?s choices are not the most realistic either. I honestly can buy some of the very human mistakes that John and Savannah make considering their pasts and the circumstances of their relationship but one particular choice that Savannah makes in the book and film does not seem very likely.
Director Lass Hallstrom (CHOCOLAT, CIDER HOUSE RULES) does a fine job creating this flawed story on the big screen. It doesn?t hurt that he had a great cast to bring these characters to life. First of all, I have to extend the highest kudos to actor Richard Jenkins (THE VISITOR) who portrays Mr. Tyree, John?s father. The man is an incredible actor and his performance in this film is no exception. The Mr. Tyree character suffers from autism. The man nails these traits perfectly. I would love to see this actor receive either a Golden Globe or Oscar someday. Also notable in the supporting cast is San Antonio native Henry Thomas (E.T.?s Elliot). He delivers a subtle but effective performance as the character Tim, a man who has a key role the story.
As Savannah, Amanda Seyfried (MAMMA MIA!, MEAN GIRLS) is quite lovely not just in looks but also in her performance. I fell in love with her character but was angered when the very human flaws of her character surfaced in the film. I do look forward to seeing Seyfried in more future challenging roles. The one actor who pleasantly surprised me in the film is Channing Tatum as John. This actor has made some questionable choices when it comes to roles in movies. Usually these roles such as in STEP UP, FIGHTING, and GI JOE offer his worst performances. I truly believe the man has the talent to handle some great roles in better films. His performance in DEAR JOHN is a great example of this. When I first saw Channing Tatum in the trailer for this film, I winced a little. He was starting to have the Nicholas Cage effect on me. For the movie doc a Cage performance is a gamble. The man can be brilliant or painfully bad. So far for the most part, Tatum has been painful and mediocre but occasionally he will deliver when it really counts. His performances in STOP LOSS and DEAR JOHN are evidence that the man can act. He just needs to work with better directors and accept better roles.
So, overall I recommend the movie for the great acting. I do feel that the script hinders this latest Sparks? adaptation from being a great film. First of all, Sparks does take Savannah in a somewhat questionable direction. Secondly, screenwriter Linden changes the much more satisfying ending that the novel has. This will surely annoy or piss off diehard fans of the book. I will recommend this as a descent Valentine?s Day date movie which should appease ladies and is actually watchable for even the most macho guys. The acting, alone, is worth a viewing.
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