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With Valentine’s Day less than a week away, romantic movies with stirring scores and attractive leads are popping up on movie screens nationwide. “Dear John” recently joined the ranks, touting a screenplay inspired by romance writer Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name. Although it will not be sweeping up any Oscars this year, “Dear John” succeeded in pairing pretty people, a catchy soundtrack and an unlikely love story for rather typical results.
Amanda Seyfried of “Mean Girls” and “Mamma Mia” is Savannah Curtis, an average young woman enjoying her last few weeks of summer before starting college. Life on the picturesque shores of North Carolina is good, but something is lacking until she meets the handsome and mysterious John Tyree, played by the ever-chiseled Channing Tatum. Their love affair is instant and intense, reminiscent of Sparks’ “The Notebook.” Within a few short weeks, John and Savannah fall in storybook love just before John is set to ship out for the U.S. Army. The swooning couple must then decide how much love means to them as they send letters to each other across continents.
“Dear John” portrays war in an honest way, not glossing over its dangers and the rigid expectations placed on soldiers. As John’s tour goes on, he must battle both the enemy abroad and the complications of his relationship with Savannah. A particularly difficult war scene is not romanticized, although it is difficult to believe when set within such a pretty package.
Tatum is as ripped and masculine as ever — complete with a brooding quality that makes him a fresh target for teenage girls. His acting skills leave a bit to be desired, but he handles the drama of the role surprisingly well, leaving behind his forgettable performance in the “Step Up” films. Seyfried also takes on a more serious role with maturity, proving that she is capable of more than the blonde bimbo role. Together, Tatum and Seyfried paint a believable picture of young romance, ready-made for wandering into the sunset on horseback.
The real screen stealer here is Richard Jenkins, whose performance as John’s father is remarkable. His quiet but commanding presence on screen makes for some of the film’s most interesting scenes. Other than a few moving moments, “Dear John” is a bore, carrying on through its two-hour running time like a drawn-out Lifetime movie. Perhaps its attempt to stick to the original storyline made for a less-than-thrilling transition to film, but it often halts inexcusably and ends awkwardly.
If a charming, simple, romantic evening is what you seek this Valentine’s Day, “Dear John” may be the perfect choice. Provided you and your date or friends share a long attention span, it will certainly satisfy the hopeless romantic in you. Just don’t forget the tissues.
Grade: B-
