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If you enter the theater with a healthy combination of low expectations and an open mind, Dear John, the latest Nicholas Sparks adaptation, is a sweet, enjoyable, and relevant film. On leave from the army, John Tyree (Channing Tatum) meets Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), a college student on spring break. They fall in love, but have only two weeks to spend together before he returns to duty. He promises her that he’ll be back for good after a year and their relationship develops through a series of letters as he travels the world with the Special Forces. Ultimately, however, they end up in a place that neither one of them could have imagined.
The two leads have undeniable chemistry. Tatum, Hollywood’s go-to guy for the brawny, sensitive type, owns a role that plays perfectly to these qualities. He’s a solid presence in the film. Seyfried, one of the more talented up-and-coming actresses of her generation, infuses a warmth and authenticity into her role, which takes on an unexpected edge once the complexity of her character is revealed.
It could have been the quintessential love story but, in the Nicholas Sparks tradition, there are a few notable touches of realism that prevent the movie from becoming completely flat or predictable. Arguably, the most interesting people in the film are the supporting characters: Savannah’s neighbor, Tim (Henry Thomas) and his autistic son Alan, and John’s father (Richard Jenkins). Jenkins, in particular, gives the most touching and memorable performance as the quiet, coin-collecting Mr. Tyree. Although the film didn’t directly depict the real struggle of raising an autistic child (I overheard one theatergoer refer to the portrayal of Alan as “Hollywood autism”), Tim and Alan drive the action and define the story in a way that challenges the main characters to re-examine their relationships and themselves.
The film is especially relevant when taken in the context of the modern, globalized world where long-distance relationships are rapidly becoming the norm, even just for temporary intervals. The army storyline (functioning as a way for John to alternately contribute to the world or escape from it) takes a backseat to the relationship story and the questions it raises: How does one choose between a valuable job and a powerful love? Can substitutions for communication maintain a relationship without physical proximity? Most of all, how much can you ever really know about the people you love?
Lasse Hallstrom’s direction gets the job done, but isn’t particularly memorable or innovative. Likewise, don’t expect brilliance from writer Jamie Linden – a fair amount of the dialogue is actually voiceover narration as John and Savannah relate their letters. However, the strength of the movie is derived mainly from the acting and the relationships between the characters. Dear John is a quiet, heartfelt film that can be a worthwhile cinematic experience for people of all ages. Take it for what it is, and you won’t regret it.
Rating: TWO AND A HALF BONES
Release Date: February 5, 2010
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins, and Henry Thomas
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Writers: Jamie Linden
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