Dear John

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening this week is a story of love and loss with director Lasse Halstrom and novelist Nicholas Sparks along with Screen Gems and Relativity Media with “Dear John”.

This film tells the story of John Tyree (Channing Tatum), a soldier on home from leave. While home he meets Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), a college student with a love of horses and life.

He falls hard for Savannah and while returning to his duties they continue their relationship through letters. When he comes home on another visit to spend time with Savannah, he must also tell her that his tour of duty has been extended due to 9/11.

One day Savannah sends a ‘dear john’ letter explaining that she can’t live her life waiting for him. As if nothing has happened, John goes on being a solider. Until he receives word of his father and returns home to take care of things.

John confronts Amanda and discovers she has gone on with her life and realizes that he must do the same. The love does not always conqueror all but it can change life in ways that we don’t see coming.

FINAL WORD: Although Channing Tatum has shown that he is working on his craft as an actor, this misses. That being said this felt like a horrible struggle in remaking “The Notebook” (also by Nicholas Sparks). Although his part will bring the ladies in to see this handsome actor – it is by no means a stretch acting wise.

Amanda gets lost in the character. She is delightful in the beginning but by the middle and end there is nothing there. No emotion, and no reason for her character to wig out – sorry, that’s how I feel about it.

Richard Jenkins plays John’s father and does so admirably. Henry Thomas plays the role of Tim and if that name seems familiar to some, Thomas is the young boy in the Spielberg film “E.T.”. Yes, he has grown up!

Throughout it all it is as if we are taken up a roller coaster expecting to enjoy the ride down and instead – we are stuck at the top waiting for ANYTHING to happen. The emotions of both characters just fade out with an ending this is bland to say the least.

Other cast members include: D.J. Cotrona as Noodles, Cullen Moss as Rooster, Gavin McCulley as Starks, Keith Robinson as Captain Stone, and Scott Porter as Randy.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Dear John” two tubs of popcorn out of five. It is a date night film and the gals will love it. As far as the feel for it, the story gets muddled enough to where I no longer cared about either of the characters. There are several points where I even found the story unbelievable. Not a good way to keep me interested.

In the end – what would you do with a letter that could change everything?