Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Dear John

Curiously, there appear to be a couple of themes running in my life at the moment... I'm not in the habit of putting US blockbusters at the top of my 'must-see' film list but on Monday I was invited to a preview of Dear John.  Set in South Carolina, with its gloriously unspoilt beaches, it brings to the screen the popular novel by Nicholas Sparks.

Very watchable - thanks to the cast, led by pocket-sized, blonde-of-the-moment: Amanda Seyfried, and hunky teen heart-throb: Channing Tatum; directed by Lasse Hallstrom, (whose previous works include Gilbert Grape and Chocolat).  The backdrop of languid beach life and local parties contrasts intensely with the (sanitised) realities of the war zone locations that protagonist John is sent to.

Poignancy is a prevalent theme throughout - thanks to the central love story - by way of Aspergers and terminal cancer.  If you're after a light, entertaining (and undemanding) emotional escape, that's beautifully shot, it's worth seeing.

Picture credits:
Myrtle Beach sunset pic courtesy of South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Film Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

2 comments:

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Sounds like my kind of film.

arlene k said...

Hope you enjoy it- if you get the chance to see it. Think it arrives in Italia in maggio...