A Movie for anyone with a Heart

Rating: 10/10 (21 April 2004)

No matter how many times I see this movie, I never grow tired of it or don't watch the whole movie. I actually listened to parts of the movie while I worked around the house. SOMETHING told me to tape this movie and watch it in it's entirety. I feel the movie seldom lags and keeps your attention if, for no other reason, you must find out what Jamie and Landon are heading for. Surely the outgoing, popular and free spirited Landon will bypass Jamie eventually. But it never happens. That's because Jamie & Landon share an unknown common ground brought on by the fact that they have known each other and been in the same class since Kindergarten. I feel Jamie has had her eye on Landon for a big part of her life and she wants to get to know him better. Landon, on the other hand, sees no need to know her and be put out of the in crowd. He is satisfied with his life as a loose footed free spirit. Jamie says things that Landon is both curious about and even enamored by. She is very down to earth and she slowly leads Landon down "her" path. Plain but still a beautiful person, Jamie unveils a new her when singing her song in the school play. Remember, SHE wrote it. You can see Landon falling over himself in his attentive looks and feelings as Jamie sings "The song". I find it to be beautifully sung and wonderfully choreographed. Jamie has tipped the scales by being herself and Landon and even some of his friends sees a glamorous and outright drop dead beauty singing her true feelings. Landon wastes little time attempting to be with Jamie again. His remark "I can't just be your friend" tips his hand and leads him to her with no regrets. This movie deserves universal credit for the scenes and music continually fitting the mood. I have watched the movie 25 times or more and purchased the soundtrack. "Only Hope" is a fitting title for her song because it explains so much about the two of them needing this relationship. The movie never tries to make Jamie look hot or sexy. She remains herself but her inner beauty comes out more in every scene. The Wedding is the culmination of alot of misunderstood relationships made stronger by the bond between Bride and Groom. It is still the most well done and beautiful wedding scene I have ever witnessed. They arrive at the altar sure of their Love no matter how long they have to share it. I'm a 56 year old male who thinks this movie will go down as one of the most underrated movies ever. I never heard of Mandy Moore and consider her acting in stride with some of the big names. It's a near perfect movie with a wonderful and lasting conclusion. I want to share this movie with the special people in my life. It's a "really feel good" movie. I rate it a 10 (or higher).