Formula teen melodrama

Rating: 6/10 (20 September 2013)

Landon Carter (Shane West) is a popular self-obsessed top dog. He is uncaring and when one of his pranks goes wrong, he puts a fellow student in the hospital. As punishment, he is forced to be the lead in a school play. Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore) is the reverend's daughter who has nothing in common with Landon. She is also in the play, and Landon ask her for help. Only he won't let anybody know.
This is a predictable teen melodrama based on a Nicholas Sparks novel that has all the stereotypes. I'm just surprised that the formula works yet again. All the characters are stock creations. It moves along the well traveled tracks. Both leads are likable and solid but uninspired. Of course, this being a Nicholas Sparks movie. There has to be a secret or twist. I do wish there was something more profound and original dialog. The stale conversations really grinds down this movie.