Alexandra Kowal ’14 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer Michelle Monaghan and James Marsden in The Best of Me. Photo Credit: Gemma LaMana/Relativity Media.Nicholas Sparks’ newest film adaptation, The Best of Me, is a story that’s been told many times – rich white girl falls in love with poor white boy, father issues ensue. In fact, it was reminiscent of another of Sparks’ works, The Notebook, though noticeably not as well executed.
The movie begins with a rugged adult Dawson (James Marsden) working on an oil rig. It quickly goes into over the top drama as an explosion rocks the rig and Dawson is thrown overboard. In a laughable underwater scene, he has visions of a young Amanda (Liana Liberato) – the girl he was in love with in high school.
Of course, the story is just beginning. In what can only be described as a miracle, Dawson survives. He wonders if there is a reason, and that’s when he and Amanda (Michelle Monaghan) are brought back into each other’s lives due to the death of a mutual friend. James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan in The Best of Me. Photo Credit: Gemma LaMana/Relativity Media.
Yet, it almost feels like this movie could be two separate films. It seemed disjointed as it alternated between the past and present. There are so many plots going on at once that none of them are given enough time to be fully experienced. Although the teenage storyline was intriguing, the adult romance just didn’t feel realistic. Amanda and Dawson’s reconnection seemed forced, despite the fact that Amanda was unhappy in her marriage.
All the trademark Nicholas Sparks moments were there: kissing in the rain, judgmental rich parents, the tragic twist. And there were enough moments that were genuinely funny or moving that made the movie not a total waste.
However, the plot was extremely predictable, despite its twist ending. With better pacing and writing, the movie could have been much more entertaining and touching. As it stood, the hours dragged on and left viewers with the feeling that nothing really happened. Luke Bracey and Liana Liberto in The Best of Me. Photo Credit: Gemma LaMana/Relativity Media.
If the cheesiness was toned down a bit, and the storylines balanced more, The Best of Me could have been a fairly solid film. The actors turned in credible performances; the teenage romance was a bit clichéd, but Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato really brought their characters to life. Marsden and Monaghan also gave respectable performances, though nowhere near their best. Tuck and Tommy (Sean Bridgers), the two opposing paternal forces in Dawson’s life, were played to near perfection.
If you’re a diehard Nicholas Sparks fan, seeing this movie won’t hurt. Although it can be overly cheesy, it’s not completely terrible. But with the wealth of movies available to modern audiences, The Best of Me just simply isn’t the best out there. Overall Grade: C+
