Don't get your hopes up ...

Rating: 4/10 (25 January 2002)

Don't get your hopes up about this movie, especially if you've read the book before going to see it. I had read the book long before I knew it would be made into a movie and the book was totally awesome! I went to the premiere tonight and the story is nowhere near as good as the book. I heard that Nicholas Sparks didn't give consent on the script, but the writer(s) still strayed far from the original story. The movies is *very loosely* based on the book -- I believe only the characters' names are the same in both. Don't be fooled: the movie isn't set in the 50s as the book is, but rather the 90s. The plot is not as smooth-flowing as it is in the novel. I would recommend a visit to the local library than to the local theater.
As for the acting, I think that Shane West did quite well as Landon, although Mandy Moore was not as convincing to me as Jamie. Peter Coyote did as best as he could as Reverand Sullivan, but the character was to be much older and more indifferent; not as mean to his daughter or to her new love. And I have to say that the ending was bad as well. They should have stuck with the original ending ... I won't give it away. The movie was good because it was sweet and romantic and a good movie to watch .... but compared to the book, it stunk!! Nicholas Sparks's book will have you laughing and crying all at the same time .... The movie does not.