Dear John, sob stories don't ensure a great movie. Richard Jenkins was the best part!

Rating: 5/10 (6 September 2010)

Despite my reluctance, I just watched Dear John (2010), directed by Lasse Hallström. This is because my friend insisted.
It's not entirely fair for me to slate the filmmakers just because I did not enjoy it at all. My lack of enjoyment came mainly from the fact that I'm not a stereotypical girl who falls for the lead male every time, or dreams of that kind of thing. I have everything I need in that department. I do like films about love, but they must have something more to offer.
So, aside from getting people to relate to the smushy love scenes, what else does this film have to offer?
Well, my favourite aspect was John's father, played by Richard Jenkins. He has always had an affinity to play loner roles, and fatherly ones. Six Feet Under, the Television series which ran from 2001-2005, is a good example, with his role as Nathaniel Fisher.
I loved his fragility, it evoked more feeling from me than Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried's love scenes ever did. His coin collection made a great metaphor throughout the film, and was like another character.
Sympathy tactics are not enough to make a great movie for me though, it did not change the fact that the film was predictable, relatively shallow, and did not fully convince me. Despite all-round acceptable performances, Richard Jenkins was the only fully convincing part.