Warning: SPOILER ALERT
Do not read if you haven't seen the movie or read the book and you don't want to know what happens... I warned you. So for the rest of you, please continue...
This weekend every girl ran to get her ticket for the tearjerker of the year, Dear John. Many probably read the book by Nicholas Sparks, author of The Notebook and A Walk to Remember (chick flick classics) or maybe it was because it was obvious there would be multiple shirtless Channing Tatum scenes. Who knows.
Well I was among those who read the book, curious to see how much they were going to change in the film and here's what I thought:
Starting out, I like how they got to the point and jumped right into John and Savannah meeting. I think Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum were very, very believable as a couple. Yes, awkward at first and no they won't get any Oscar buzz but I never felt that their chemistry was forced like I've seen in other love stories. They were cute you have to admit... Although there did seem to be a little missing from the two weeks they fell in love. It made more sense in the book how they could fall in love that fast.
Moving on, Richard Jenkins, who played John's father, did a phenomenal job I think portraying an adult with autism. His fascination with coins and routine behavior shown in the film followed how it's explained in the book. Although, his fit in the car never actually happened in the book but it did bring an additional emotional aspect of his condition and it didn't bother me that it was included.
Ok but then the whole Alan was Tim's son and Tim's wife is always on "vacation" was quite a stretch. In the book, Alan is Tim's brother and Tim never marries anyone but Savannah. Psh. Moving on...
The music was really great- I loved the song Savannah sang in the movie although she never has a musical side in the book, I still enjoyed it. Here's the song, "Little House", which is available on the soundtrack you can now get on iTunes:
The rest of the music fit the story well, such as "Moon" by The Swell Season. And one of my all-time favorites from Fink, "This Is The Thing." Both are also on the soundtrack.
So to wrap up, I was pleased overall. Yeah the ending was different but I think they still did a good job telling the story and showing the reality of falling in love and that it takes a toll when you're miles away and years apart.
So...what did you think?
This weekend every girl ran to get her ticket for the tearjerker of the year, Dear John. Many probably read the book by Nicholas Sparks, author of The Notebook and A Walk to Remember (chick flick classics) or maybe it was because it was obvious there would be multiple shirtless Channing Tatum scenes. Who knows.
Well I was among those who read the book, curious to see how much they were going to change in the film and here's what I thought:
Starting out, I like how they got to the point and jumped right into John and Savannah meeting. I think Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum were very, very believable as a couple. Yes, awkward at first and no they won't get any Oscar buzz but I never felt that their chemistry was forced like I've seen in other love stories. They were cute you have to admit... Although there did seem to be a little missing from the two weeks they fell in love. It made more sense in the book how they could fall in love that fast.
Moving on, Richard Jenkins, who played John's father, did a phenomenal job I think portraying an adult with autism. His fascination with coins and routine behavior shown in the film followed how it's explained in the book. Although, his fit in the car never actually happened in the book but it did bring an additional emotional aspect of his condition and it didn't bother me that it was included.
Ok but then the whole Alan was Tim's son and Tim's wife is always on "vacation" was quite a stretch. In the book, Alan is Tim's brother and Tim never marries anyone but Savannah. Psh. Moving on...
The music was really great- I loved the song Savannah sang in the movie although she never has a musical side in the book, I still enjoyed it. Here's the song, "Little House", which is available on the soundtrack you can now get on iTunes:
The rest of the music fit the story well, such as "Moon" by The Swell Season. And one of my all-time favorites from Fink, "This Is The Thing." Both are also on the soundtrack.
So to wrap up, I was pleased overall. Yeah the ending was different but I think they still did a good job telling the story and showing the reality of falling in love and that it takes a toll when you're miles away and years apart.
So...what did you think?
I didn't like the portrayal of Tim and Savannah's relationship. When Tim and John were talking, they made it seem like Tim just married her to have a dad for Allan. It actually seemed a little evil when he was telling John, whereas in the book Tim had loved her all along. That was my least favourite part.
ReplyDeleteFavourite part - seeing it with the girls!
I agree- he did make it sound like "oh Alan will always have someone"- lame. they didn't seem to be even close to in love. in the book, it was way more believable for them to end up together instead.
ReplyDelete