A Movie to Remember

Rating: 10/10 (2 March 2017)

Picture this: The Varsity Football Quarterback and the Captain of the Cheerleading Squad fall deeply in love and live happily ever after- yeah yeah yeah we have all watched that movie. Most people tend to date other people based on similarities rather than their differences. However, the movie, "A Walk to Remember" directed by Adam Shankman takes you on a emotional roller-coaster when a young girl diagnosed with cancer uses her innocence to overcome society "norms" and change the life of a immature punk to show him that there is much more to life then simply just "being cool". The two teenagers remind us, the watchers, what love is really about. Jamie Sullivan is a brilliant girl who minds her own business and doesn't go out after dark. She is literally "the pastor's daughter" . She goes to church every Sunday, which is lead by her father. On the contrary, Landon Carter is the school jock that hangs out with the kids that go out every night to drink and do illegal things. Throughout the movie, you follow both characters who live totally different lives and witness how they fight through the doubt of others and overcome their differences. AWTR is one of those movies that you just don't get tired of watching, no matter how many times you watch it, believe me, I've watched it about 30 times.
Jamie Sullivan, the quirky unfashionable girl who wears the "clothes her grandmother gave her" is automatically perceived as the innocent girl on campus from the first second she makes her appearance walking by Landon Carter and his other rebellious friends. She was wearing a flower patterned dress that went all the way down to her ankles with a knitted sweater covering her shoulders and black sandals with her white socks peeking through the straps. She carries a bible with her everywhere she goes and always talks about the Lord. Landon and Jamie have been classmates since kindergarten, but Landon never really notices her because they are part of two totally different crowds.
At this time, Landon was shaken up when one of his friends was hospitalized after a drunk diving incident at a factory. He, along with his popular girlfriend, joins in on making fun of Jamie Sullivan. He is forced to audition for the school play to surround himself with better people. Only then does he really notice Jamie and sees her as more than just the innocent girl. Landon isn't a very motivated student, and struggles to memorize his lines for the play. Jamie is honest with Landon and doesn't pity him like all the other girls do. He eventually convinces Jamie to help him under one condition: he is not allowed to fall in love with her. He laughs like it was a joke and dismisses it as if the idea of him ever falling for her is unimaginable. That scene shows us how screwed up our society is. We are taught and molded to being with people who fit in the same categories that we don't even take differences into consideration. We later find out that the reason for this was because she was diagnosed with Leukemia. During the long afternoons going over lines, a spark is formed between them.
At first, Landon denies even knowing Jamie. However, a couple days later, Landon's friends play a sick prank on Jamie, photo shopping her head onto a half naked body and handing it out to the whole school. Overwhelmed, Jamie runs off crying. This was the turning point for Landon. After making sure Jamie was alright, he punches his best friend. This act of kindness allowed Jamie to really open up to Landon. It was the first moment in the movie that Jamie realized that he really did have a heart. The fact that the school jock would give up his friendship for the minister's daughter shows how much he really cared about her.
On their first date, Landon helps Jamie knock some items off her bucket list; being in two places at one time, getting a tattoo--temporary of course. After a long day, he takes her to the dock. There, they share their first kiss shortly followed by Landon saying the three words he wasn't supposed to say- "I love you". Landon is no longer ashamed to call Jamie his girlfriend, in fact he even holds her hand in front of his popular ex girlfriend as they walk by. While talking about their future, Landon brings up college, a topic Jamie really didn't want to talk about. Frustrated, she turns to him and drops the bomb and says "I'm sick". Landon's true colors shine through when he goes to his father (whom he hates) and cries while begging his father to help her, knowing there isn't a cure. Landon goes out of his way to make the remaining days she has left the best days of her life. Many people say that people never change, but Landon Carter is proof that people in fact can change for the better. It just takes the right person at the right time.
This movie is and probably will be my favorite love story of all time. The great acting, tear- jerking scenes, and brilliant throughout story line keeps your eyes glued to the screen the whole time. "A Walk to Remember" not only serves as means of entertainment, but also shows a thing or two about our society. We are so used to doing what we are told is "normal" based on stereotyping that we feel like doing anything differently would be considered wrong. But this movie reminds us what true love is really about. I'm not going to share too much about the ending for those who have yet to watch this film. All I am going to say is that if it is not already on there, this movie should be on your must-watch list because it is definitely a -movie- to remember.