Average weeper, though very often cinematically beautiful

Rating: 7/10 (3 September 2010)

Nicholas Sparks writes immersive romances that touch the heart and spirit. Sometimes both his books and the cinema adaptations of them are somewhat exasperating (for example, "Message in a Bottle:" I GET IT! HE LOVED HIS WIFE!).
"Dear John" was one of Mr. Spark's more popular recent novels, especially with younger people, since the characters are college age when the novel begins, and the book deals with contemporary issues of the middle eastern wars, and how they affect lives on a personal level.
The casting for the movie was excellent and Channing Tatum fills out the role of stoic marine John Tyree very well, giving women of all ages something to swoon over. It helps that he is often shown shirtless or with torso accentuating, tight tees. Amanda Seyfried as Savannah is one of the freshest faces in movies today (with what another reviewer described as "anime" eyes and Rapunzel hair).
"Dear John" excels in its art direction of showing the South Carolina low country as the backdrop for John and Savannah's whirlwind romance and in depicting the brutal reality of military tent life in a country half a world away. Unfortunately the love scenes were also filmed much like a landscape scene, with the camera panning over the curves of swaying backs and the elegant lines of upper arms and thighs. At one point they show a glimpse of Savannah's face and she seems to wish she were somewhere else.
Chemistry between actors and actresses in a romantic movie such as this can be a crap-shoot, however.
The plot of "Dear John" contains all the tear-jerking twists of the novel will leave most viewers satisfied, especially by John's portrayal of courage and compassion.