Worth Remembering

Rating: 10/10 (2 February 2002)

Don't believe the critics. Trust me. I almost did and I'm glad I didn't. A Walk to Remember is a wonderful movie. It's a movie with faults. It's a movie that probably could have been directed better. But while a flawless movie with no faults might win an Oscar, it might not entertain and touch you like "A Walk to Remember". Let me preface this by saying that although I have known tendencies to get into bubble gum pop, such as Britney Spears etc...I was not a fan of Mandy Moore. Nor did I think she was all that looks-wise either (at least prior to this film). I decided to give this movie a try because the online feedback was truly compelling. I went to several different movie databases and the customer reviews were really persuasive. I almost didn't go because just about every critic bashed the movie except Roger Ebert who gave it high marks. So, I decided to give it a try. The movie is set in a small town (Beaufort, NC). It begins predictably enough with the bad boy and pals bullying the commoners in the usual H.S. way. But the movie becomes very different from the She's All That, American Pie, type genre. Mandy Moore is cast as the preacher's daughter, but instead of the usual portrayal of the "preacher's kid" we find a person very comfortable in her own skin, very devoted to God, and ernestly making progress towards her life goals (which include 'befriending someone I don't like" and "being in two places at once"). Landon Carter (Shane West) is being punished for some misdeeds and is forced to do community service, where he finds Jamie Sullivan (Moore) already there and obviously, she does this regularly. I won't go any further into this because I hate reviews that give away the whole movie. What I will say is that it's been a long long time since I saw a truly enjoyable movie that had such a positive message about life and love. I was amazed at how they showed how one person can make so much difference in the life of another. If you are with your significant other, I guarantee that you will hold him/her a little bit tighter walking out of the theater In summation...it's a wonderful, feel good flick. It's got all of the sappy romance of the "Wedding Singer" with the emotion of a movie like "Untamed Heart". But in the end, it will make you reflect on who you are, what goals you have set , and how you will move towards living every day instead of passing time.