The Vidiot Reviews...

Rating: 4/10 (27 May 2010)

Dear John Oh, great! A movie about a prostitute making amends for her misdeeds by writing personal letters to each of her past clients. Oops, this movie isn't about a penitent whore; it's about a useless war. While on vacation, Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) meets John (Channing Tatum), a soldier on leave. Forming an instant rapport, he allows her into his life, which includes his autistic father (Richard Jenkins). Later – when school and the War in Iraq separates them – they stay in contact via letters. But when Savannah sends word that she's engaged to another, John's correspondence abruptly ends. Years later, her reasons are explained. Though it contains the same hallmarks as every other adaptation of a Nicholson Sparks novel, i.e. love, death, Dear John's love story is more paternal than heterosexual and its various deaths are entirely unexpected. And while love letters certainly do convey emotions, they, unfortunately, don't offer as many boners as, say, sexting. (Yellow Light)