Unreal characters in an idealized, sappy romance

Rating: 4/10 (3 August 2004)

The main thing you need to know about this romantic would-be tearjerker is that it's based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, he of "Message in a Bottle" and "A Walk to Remember" fame. Like those films, this is more interested in portraying an idealized romance than real love. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling are the two lovers, one rich, one not. It's supposed to be the 1940s, but you'll barely notice--even World War II barely intrudes. An ultra-thin plot device prevents them from living happily ever after well before the film reaches feature length. Meanwhile, in the present day, James Garner is an ever-faithful husband who can't let go of Gena Rowlands. She's got Alzheimer's and only rarely recognizes him. The end reveals the none-too-surprising connection between the two stories, though the events of the intervening 40-plus years are entirely missing. All of the fine actors play essentially fake characters, with no real characteristics other than a certain tenacity and, of course, an unwavering dedication to their partners. To those who thought "A Walk to Remember" was sappy, this will seem even more so. Those who found it touching will perhaps be able to stomach the corny ending here, which implies that love can literally transcend biological reality. Oh, that it were so. ** out of ****