Sentimental and it feels good.

Rating: Null/10 (17 March 2004)

I read a lot of critics' reviews of this movie and noted that most of the critics hated it. They cited the flaws of the movie as its over-sentimentality, its predictable plot, its implausible characters, and its lack of sex. All I can say is what an awful life to be a movie critic. If a movie can only be good without sentimentality or with sex in it, then we have truly descended into a dark hole as a society. Only those moviegoers hardened by relentless violence and cheap thrills on-screen can possibly be said to be completely lacking in sentiment, and those viewers will not like this movie. This movie IS sentimental, and without apology. In the end, it is how a movie makes you FEEL that counts the most, and A Walk to Remember will make you feel something - it will make you feel GOOD! It's a good story, a heartwarming story, with some pathos added. It may very well clear your tear ducts, and hopefully that is nothing of which we need to be ashamed.
Some viewers may find the plot somewhat predictable, and in one way the movie is reminiscent of 1970's Love Story (which the critics back then lambasted as well, but the public loved it). As for implausible characters - who among us cannot relate to these characters? Every high school in America has its `in-crowd' and its social outcasts. Too often a high school student can either be popular or studious, but not both. This movie is the touching story of two young lives that manage to build a love across the chasm between the two social orders, and they do it with dignity, respect, charm, and a tenderness that we should all wish we had shown in our high school days. Shane West and Mandy Moore do a very creditable job of portraying the main characters. This movie has flaws - chief among them being the overabundance of the various forms of the word `sh#t.' Also, in the interest of keeping the movie in the usual time frame, as well as keeping the story moving along, the transformation in Landon as he spends time with Jamie is compressed to a couple of short scenes. This area might have been expanded without injury to the movie overall, but I think most viewers understand the necessary time compression in a movie.
Overall impression: This movie is a breath of fresh air. The actors are true to their characters, and the characters are heartwarming and real. A very touching film. 9/10