Nicholas Sparks should be proud of himself. Not only has he carved out a second home atop the New York Times bestseller list, but he has also practically monopolized the cinematic genre of tear-jerking romance. His name has become synonymous with stories pairing beautiful dream-girls and sensitive rebels, so his faithful should go into Dear John knowing what to expect. Non-fans, on the other hand, probably shouldn’t go at all.
The story centers on John (Tatum), a quiet loner on leave from military service, who falls for Savannah (Seyfried), a privileged college student on vacation. The couple’s romance quickly escalates, but before long Savannah must return to school, and John has to return to service. Following September 11, John reenlists in the service, eventually prompting Savannah to pen the “Dear John” letter of the title.
Somewhat surprisingly, the love story between John and Savannah does not completely dominate the film. The film’s momentary breaks from the duo’s predictable romance to focus on John and his father’s (Jenkins) relationship are a welcome reprieve, as it features a dynamic infinitely more complex and touching than the main attraction. Yet the film quickly dismisses this plot point, and shifts its focus back to the romantic leads.
Unfortunately, neither John nor Savannah is especially interesting. While both young actors try their best, their characters are cliched beyond credibility. John’s rough past is briefly alluded to but not fleshed out to the point of being believable. Savannah is all too saintly, declaring that her only vice is that she curses — inside her head. At about the time Savannah expresses her desire to open a summer camp for autistic children, one cynically wonders how many people like this exist in reality. But perhaps that is irrelevant, because Sparks’ world is overflowing with such caricatures, and his fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
2 Stars
Dear John
Directed By: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfriend, Richard
Jenkins
Rated PG-13, 105 min.
