Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (movie reivew)

Last night was opening for the new Nicholas Sparks movie Dear John, starring Channing Tatum (Yum) and Amanda Seyfried. I had planned on seeing this movie anyway, but thought it would be a nice one to add to my Read the Book, See the Movie challenge. I actually read the book about two years ago and to be honest, I didn’t like it. Actually, I didn’t like the ending. I think Nicholas Sparks is a pretty good writer, I just don’t always like where he takes his stories. I do like his movies though and I think I own all of them. I remember when The Notebook was made into a movie they had made a few changes from the book, which made it better in my opinion. So, I was curious to see what changes they would make to Dear John. Luckily, I think all the changes were an improvement and I really ended up liking the movie…loads more than the book. Of course that may be because Channing Tatum is easy on the eyes, or maybe because I liked how everything ends up in the movie.

I thought the casting was well done, the location and scenery were beautiful and overall I thought the movie was very enjoyable. I’ve caught myself thinking about it during the day and even look forward to seeing it again. I’m glad I went with a group of friends, rather than my husband who I fear would have been complaining in my ear they entire time. It has its slow parts, some parts that made me mad and others that made laugh, and of course a couple scenes where I *almost* cried. I think this is a definite chick-flick that most girls will really enjoy.

Synopsis:
An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. "Dear John," the letter read...and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love--and face the hardest decision of his life. --GoodReads