It seems these days one can’t look the other way without seeing a Nicholas Sparks book turned to film (The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, The Last Song). His latest, Dear John, shockingly manages to remain fresh. Of course, it does provide the usual mix of Nicholas Sparks tears, laughter and sadness.
The movie revolves around a couple who fall in love in the span of two weeks only to be apart for longer than they hoped.
John Tyree (Channing Tatum) is in the Army and has to deploy for a year soon after meeting Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), and then reenlists after the attacks on Sept. 11. The ups and downs of their long-distance romance are captured, culminating at the end of the movie, when they answer what it really means to love another person. The film does a great job showing the jealous, exciting and selfless emotions of falling in love.
Both of the main actors fit their roles well, in addition to having decently believable chemistry on screen. Seyfried has a natural charm about her that makes goody-goody Savannah totally believable.
Although the two-week relationship is unbelievable, the couple’s romance has its realistically awkward moments, but they’re blended in with the fairy tale developments that seem so common to Sparks’ stories.
Compared with the other films based on his books, this is by far the most realistic and even cynical. It has its cheesy lines, but they are promptly followed by the harsh realities of war, death, sickness and heartbreak.
Another plus to this film that may be a surprise is the soundtrack.
Songs from artists such as The Swell Season, 311, Wailing Souls and Snow Patrol, combined with some beautiful cinematography (no doubt the product of director Lasse Hallstrom, who also directed What’s Eating Gilbert Grape), make some scenes absolutely breathtaking and emotional.
It would be a lie to say this film is not intended for female audiences, but it is a sweet, romantic story that has surprising bouts of realism.
Plus, it’s bearable for guys who want to please their girlfriends this Valentine’s Day.
By Maria Juliana Ayalde
Every once in a while you see a movie that causes you to really root for the underdog, makes you upset at their repeated mistakes and has you cheer when they make the big change.
Crazy Heart follows the story of “Bad” Blake, a washed-up country music star on his last ditch effort to turn his life around.
This story isn’t anything new, following in the footsteps of The Wrestler, Walk the Line, The Pursuit of Happyness, Ray and countless other stories of a journey for redemption.
The x-factor for Crazy Heart is Bridges’ portrayal of the loveable character Blake, for which he won best actor awards from the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes. Between the bouts of vomiting in trash cans, chain smoking and chugging down whiskey fast enough to rival Belushi’s Bluto, you actually start to care about the guy.
His witty humor, childish smile and classic country sound have a strange charm, despite his gross habits of granny-groupie hookups.
Bad gets his act together with the help of reporter Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a lackluster character who seems to exist only to fortify our love for Bridges. Despite drawing the short straw on script contracts and participating in a cradle-robbing love scene, Gyllenhaal manages a solid supporting role.
On a side note, Colin Farrell as a pony tailed country star might have stolen the show if not for his laughable attempt at a bluegrass accent shining through an Irish exterior.
The story drags on with scenes that strengthen the bonds between character and audience. However, an equilibrium between sharp humor and gut-wrenching drunken depression keeps this one from becoming a snorer.
Crazy Heart won’t make the heart pound with action or rattle with suspense, and it has no stunning special effects, but it’s an entertaining, old-fashioned movie driven by great character acting.
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