From the producers of “Gossip Girl” and “The O.C.”, “Endless Love” is about a rich, honor–roll teenage beauty (even her name, Jade Butterfield, sounds like a princess) who—having spent most of the past four years alone since the untimely death of her older brother—realizes on her high school graduation day that she doesn’t have a single friend. That is, until charming Alex Pettyfer (of “Magic Mike” fame) finally makes his move. While the film is technically a remake of a 1981 original starring Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt (and featuring a then–unknown Tom Cruise), the plot has been completely revamped for a modern tween audience. Pettyfer plays David Elliot, a misunderstood bad boy from the other side of the tracks who somehow has a way of saying, “I watched her through all of high school,” without sounding stalkerish, and then proceeds to whisk Jade (Gabriella Wilde) off her feet just weeks before she starts college and a fledgling medical career at Brown.
Of course, they fall madly in love. And of course, her disapproving father objects."Endless Love,” which for the most part looks like a two–hour Free People ad, is ridiculous and melodramatic, but not wholly unpleasant. Dr. Hugh Butterfield (Bruce Greenwood of “Star Trek”) is hands down the most multi–dimensional character, and his transformation from an over–protective dad to one who understands that young Jade’s life is her own determination is the distinguishing drive between this movie and other teenage romances. David’s comical best friend Mace (Dayo Okeniyi) and the film’s contemporary soundtrack are other shining graces.
Otherwise, the movie is unashamedly clichéd and highly predictable. The narrative does truly seem endless, and the only devices moving the plot along are entertaining, unrealistic events that force drama into the story (an exciting graduation party scene where couples compete in a choreographed dance–off may make you feel like you didn’t do high school right). Some of the dialogue is so contrived that you can’t help but cringe and wonder if the entire film is actually a parody. Even Jade and David, the two star–crossed lovers at the center of the movie, are grossly undeveloped and, although their chemistry is unmistakable, their story won’t elicit audience sympathy in the same way that other romantic dramas have.
A younger crowd might appreciate this idealistically romantic Valentine’s Day flick, but to most viewers, the only elements worth admiring will be a really nice house, a shirtless Alex Pettyfer and a wish fulfillment fantasy. Altogether maudlin and uninspiring, there could be no other word to describe this movie but “endless”.
Grade: C–
Rating & Runtime: PG-13, 103 min.
See if you liked: Nicholas Sparks movies or the original “Endless Love.”
