THE BEST OF ME – The Review

Nicholas Sparks latest romantic flick THE BEST OF ME has finally proven that the same, formulaic love story doesn’t always end up successful.

THE BEST OF ME tells the story of Dawson and Amanda, two high school sweethearts that run back into each other after returning to their hometown after 21 years for a funeral. Soon, their romance reignites, and the two seem to finally be back on track. The only problem is that the trouble that caused their initial split begins to loom. Can their love survive another trip down memory lane?

If you’ve ever seen a Nicholas Spark film you already know the answer to the above question.

Let me start off by saying that I do not hate the work of Nicholas Sparks. I enjoyed THE NOTEBOOK. I might not have gone gaga over it like the rest of the world, but I really enjoyed it. I also liked this more than NIGHTS IN RODANTHE, which is on my list of most hated movies. This film did not make that list. I think Sparks is a passionate guy that can tell a great story. My complaint is that he needs to stop telling the same one and give us something new!

THE BEST OF ME follows the same formula as every other Nicholas Sparks film. I will dub this formula ‘SPARKANOMICS’.

1. Opposites Attract: A couple who shouldn’t be together throw caution to the wind and fall for each other.

2. Letters Galore: Despite the year, this head-over-heels couple contain their feelings, and must express themselves by putting pen to paper. Even if that beautiful envelope doesn’t see a mailbox, the person addressed on the front will always find it.

3. The Obstacle: No one can remain happy. Something tragic or crazy always has to show up and pee in everyone’s Cheerios.

4. Kissing While Wet: This can happen at any point in the movie. At some point, it’s going to rain, or these crazy kids are going to go swimming. What goes with water? Face eating. Always. Someone grab the towels!

4. Reunited And It Feels So Good: Screw everything that has, is or will happen! Love is stronger than anything, and this is the ‘rush into each others arms’ moment.

5. Duhn-Duhn-Duhhhhhhn! You guessed it. Doom. For some odd reason Nicholas Sparks feels the need to kill off one, or both of the main characters in all of his films.

6. Life Is Beautiful: This is the conclusion where the final lesson is presented to the audience. Despite all of the horrible obstacles, love is still more powerful. It’s a gift and we should appreciate it while we have it. Aww!

There you go. You have now seen every Nicholas Sparks film without ever having to actually watch them. This predictable formula is present in every one of his films. How are we, as the audience, still falling for it?

I guess I should talk about this film, even though you already know all about it based on the formula. THE BEST OF ME follows ‘SPARKANOMICS’ to a tee. The story itself is watered down, and feels like it was half-assed and slapped on a screen. When you have a tried-and-true method to make money I guess you don’t really have to try anymore. What makes this sad is that the acting was great. James Marsden and Luke Bracey were incredible as Dawson and younger Dawson. The same goes for Michelle Monaghan and Loana Liberato as Amanda and younger Amanda. Both pairings, Marsden and Monaghan, and Bracey and Liberato had incredible chemistry together. They pulled the audience in with their emotional ranges. Unfortunately, there is only so much they can do to help the film. By the time one of the characters dies (Calm down. This isn’t a spoiler. It happens in every movie!) I found myself scoffing at the screen. I actually hoped that this one would be different. Sigh.

I don’t know why, but timelines are completely thrown out of the window in terms of costume and set, much like every other film. Crap! Add that to the list! The flashback scenes are supposed to be happening in 1992, but feel more like the 50’s or 60’s. The same odd sense of time happens during the present day scenes, with the exception of one iPhone. I get wanting things to have a sense of timelessness, but I like the feeling of a realistic decade on-screen.

There are only two things that I will congratulate this film on. One is being the first film to stray as much as it did from the book. I’m not saying that it’s good for the story, but at least director Michael Hoffman tried. The second is the use the Cowboy Junkies version of ‘Sweet Jane’ deserves a high-five. That’s a damn good song!

If you are looking for movie that feels like you’ve seen it before, then this is the film for you. If you want romance, I suggest you save your money and just re-watch THE NOTEBOOK.

OVERALL RATING: 2 out of 5 stars

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THE BEST OF ME is in theaters now