Surprisingly Enjoyable Movie!

Rating: Null/10 (31 March 2002)

I must confess, first of all, that I originally went to this movie more out of an attempt to humor my girlfriend than for my own personal enjoyment. Although I tend to enjoy a good "chick flick" from time to time, personally I was initially more interested in seeing "Lord of the Rings" for a second time than this movie. However I was pleasantly surprised at how well this movie was done and actually ended up enjoying it immensely. I haven't read the book upon which this movie is based, so I can't say anything about how faithful it is or isn't to the book, although I do plan on eventually reading it. However, as far as the movie goes, I can't really think of anything that should have been changed about the movie. The movie was pleasantly devoid of profanity, violence, and sex, it promoted several important messages about life, love, and growing as a person without lecturing or being preachy, the characters evolved realistically (in the time alloted, of course), The acting was expressive without being overly dramatic and without resorting the characters resorting to cliche'-ridden lines, and although the ending was sad, it also offered a sense of hope and happiness. The soundtrack was also very well done from start to finish, including Mandy Moore's song from the play ("Only Hope"). I also have to give the movie extra credit for the fact that I was close to tears by the end of the film, something that hasn't happened at least since "Transformers the Movie" when Optimus Prime died when I in 3rd grade. Any movie that can make me emotional and bring me close to tears like that is clearly doing something right. My girlfriend bought the soundtrack to the movie right after we left the movie theater and I have found that just listening to the songs, particularly the aforementioned one, is enough to start making me feel sad again. Anybody who has not seen this movie yet and is wondering if they should owes it at least a rental. Very well-done movie!