Exactly what I was expecting from a Nicholas Sparks adaption... except maybe for the ending

Rating: 7/10 (28 December 2014)

Another Nicholas Sparks adaption, so of course it's a total chick-flick which ultimately I enjoyed just not as much as the book. Its actually a pretty depressing love story and in the film version it annoyed me that neither character aged a day (or changed a hairstyle) over the 7 year course of the movie. The book ending is also much more realistic than the one presented here.
Channing Tatum, plays "John" a soldier who falls in love with an idealist college student (Amanda Seyfried) while on leave and continues to communicate with her via a series of letters throughout his military service.
Channing Tatum. As much as I adore him his portrayal of John is kinda bland. He doesn't (or can't) convey much emotion so he just kind of dumb-de-dums along while looking super good. I did enjoy his scenes with Richard Jenkins who plays his autistic father (and is awesome as usual). This relationship seemed to bring out the best in Tatum, acting wise. The romance angle was just okay for me, a nice Notebook-ie reminiscent kissing scene in the rain. The scenery is beautiful too, wherever this was filmed. 08.13(2)