Dear John
Release: March 4
Running time: 109 minutes
Rating: M (violence and sex scene)
It turns out that a Swedish director, two not-quite stars and the writer behind We Are Marshall was all it took to knock off the mighty Avatar from the number one spot at the American box office. Dear John, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks (who also wrote The Notebook, Message in a Bottle and Nights in Rodanthe), tells of the relationship between soldier John (Channing Tatum) and California girl Savannah (Amanda Seyfried). When John returns to active service, he and Savannah correspond by writing letters to one another.
A sense of duty is significant theme in the film, weaving throughout the lives of Savannah and John. However, little time is given to the more interesting subplots and thematic possibilities of the film. Although Richard Jenkins gives a touching, tender performance as John’s father, his sub-plot feels tacked-on and out of place because there is little time spent with his character. Henry Thomas (of E.T. fame), too, gives a strong performance, but he is also hamstrung by the screenplay’s limitations.
Three-time Oscar nominee Lasse Hallström (My Life as a Dog, The Cider House Rules) delivers another uncomplicated drama with this Sparks adaptation, this time minus quirkiness and whimsy that marked his previous work What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and Chocolat. The stoic, burly Tatum, who was recently seen as “Duke” in G.I. Joe, has presence on the silver screen, but his strong, silent quality only works up until a point: because it is so difficult to understand his character, it is difficult to identify with his dilemma and pain. Seyfried (HBO’s Big Love), however, is a standout. She convinces you of Savannah’s love for John with her affecting, convincing behaviour.
Just check out this sequence and contrast her natural, engaging performance with Tatum’s more monotonous acting style:
The film would have worked if Savannah been the major protagonist. Unfortunately, only an interesting, unpredictable third act redeems this disappointing venture into romantic drama.
Kate Gehrig
