Captivating! *Possible Spoiler*

Rating: 7/10 (30 January 2002)

When I first saw the commercials for the movie, I thought it was going to SUCK - especially because of Mandy Moore. But then I decided that if you can't judge a book by its cover, how can you judge a Movie?
SO I went to Amazon and read all about the book, and stupidly read to many of the reviews therefore finding out what happened [because you know you have 2 kinds of reviewers a) those who hated the book and/or want to spoil it for everyone else and b) those who are to stupid to know that the word review is not a synonym for SUMMARY] then I ordered it. I'll be getting it tomorrow, I think.
So anyway, Unbeknownst to me I decided to go see the movie a couple of days ago, only I never got there -- then I thought, why not just wait till I read the book. But I ended up thinking about it and really wanting to see it each and every-time I saw an add or commercial.
So I went and I really liked it. I'm not going to even start to compare it to something like titanic -- because of course there is no comparison, but for its type and genre, it was pretty damn good. I've definitely seen a lot worse.
It had me in tears in after like scene 1 [incessant tears lol AKA constantly crying] but then again I'm a Sap. The kind of girl that cries at Cartoons, Disney Movies, Books, TV Shows, everything lol. I was probably born with tissues in-hand.
Yes, there may have been some cheesy writing and even cliches, but is there really ever not cliches in many movies? How can there not be cliches, everything is only original ONCE - after that if its ever done again its considered a cliche: If Joe Schmoe wrote a script and had someone kill someone by pushing them off a boat and that was an original idea - then 12 years later Jane doe had the same idea, only altered a little - that would be cliche, right? but should she get criticized for that? I don't really agree, maybe she feels that that is the best way for her script/story to go. I'm an actress and a writer, so I do understand how that can be.

Shane West gave an awesome performance as the Not-so-Arrogant Landon Carter. Peer Pressure and Logic conflicted this slightly "troubled teen" as he bounced between them like a child on the giant inflated trampoline-like carnival ride. But eventually Logic took over, as well as Emotion. The girl that was shunned not only by him, but by his "friends" was soon the girl he found himself falling for. This same girl he knew for 12 years, never even spoke to and felt she could be summed up in mere sentences.

Mandy Moore's performance was not as awful as I first assumed, infact it was pretty good. Portraying Jamie Sullivan, The Ministers Daughter [a very small town with only 1 Minister] in other-words, a very straight edged "goodie goodie." She sings in the choir, partakes in such after-school clubs as Stars and Planets, Drama, etc. She never Dates, Has hardly any friends, etc. She's your quintessential "perfect" daughter. [As for Mandy:] I mean, she's definitely No actress - but she didn't bring the Movie down like I thought she probably would.

Overall, this was a sweeet Movie, "cliches" and all. If you're a sappy crier like me, bring tissues or make sure you get napkins at the concession stand lol.
I look forward to reading the book, and seeing the movie again. And while I may be in the minority, I say that if you have even the slightest notion to go see this movie, then you definitely should. :)
Any Questions, Comments, Whatever. Email ME :)