Potentionally could have been great but....

Rating: 7/10 (2 September 2002)

This movie is a prime example of "Commercialism vs. Artistry"
The story has a ton of potentional, but falls into the typical trap of trying to appease a certain target audience. The sub plots are not developed in the slightest, and The characters seem to have little depth. Really folks, are teenagers these days suffering from ADD this much that we have to have films with the "no Ridilin required" label?
Mandy Moore looks the part great, but let's understand that "looking" the part does not mean one becomes "the part".. For The most part, she delivers an inconsistent performance. Sometimes she is right on,(crying scenes and romantic intimaticy) other times I got the sense she was forcing lines without characterization.
Her Character she plays in the movie seems contrived, even selfish at times. Jamie might try asking Landon "what would you like to do today?" Jeez, as if EVERYONE that is terminally ill needs more patronizing, and enjoys being catered to "hand and foot" Honestly, yes, it is fine and well that Landon wishes to fufill her "wish list" but each and every second? There is a fine line between compassion and patronization.
What is missing here is obvious; "can we get to know you guys first before we see your pain?" "Jamie, tell us about your faith," not that you "have faith."
Well she can't, because it seems like the film makers did not want to "offend" anyone who is not a Christian. This is film making honesty? Jamie is A Christian correct? Isn't The head of Christianity someone named Jesus, then how come his name is never mentioned ONE TIME? Btw, Nice "Head Ornament of Jesus" in Jamie's home. I was not aware that "Southern Christians" had similar little "statutes" of The tortured thorn crown wearing Jesus as Catholics do. This is not a Christian film. Enough comments on how it is.
I have not read the book but I will wager the book goes into Jamie's faith just a tad more than the movie does.
Did we as well need a Mandy Moore Music video here? Her singing skit could not be more contrived unless she was a male midget at a ballpark urinal "tryting to measure up" This is out of character for Jamie, plain and simple.
There is perhaps something worthwhile to this movie. At least it is not the typical teenage flick in the sense that not every teenage idiot is a bad person. They are still idiots, but not "evil idiots".
Is this a tear jerker? Well, I felt sadness to a degree, but a small degree. Folks you want tear jerkers? Try The Green Mile. At least that film has characters clearly defined to love and hate. How about ET?..

I just feel this film was targeted at teenagers who cry if their parents won't buy them a new car, and/or new shoes. JEEZ.
If The film makers just really focused only on a good movie, without caring about just who in the hell might see it, they could have had a really good flick here. They should have gone for Anne Hathaway, who shows a good deal of acting ability and actaully looks 18 instead of 14. like Ms. Moore does. Maybe for The Male lead, they could have nabbed Ralph Machio,(The Karate Kid) he still looks like a teenage idiot, and he is like 50 years old.
Actually, all kidding aside, Shane West does an adequate job.. Mandy Moore? Well, she is certainly a nice looking young woman. Perhaps she will take some acting lessons because she does show potentional. At least she was better than those other 2 "singers" who tried acting. That isn't saying much.
Overall, not a bad film. However, could have been a great film. Peace