[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3nA9AG1AWk]
I always knew that Channing Tatum was a great actor. I remember when I saw him in a movie for the first time, “Coach Carter”, which really was his first big big mainstream film, even though he was a large cast. He stood out for me. I mean, he obviously was good looking, but I could tell that he was be a great actor if he was given a chance.
And the moment he got that chance, was in “Stop-Loss” with Ryan Phillipe…which of course, he plays a young soldier in the middle of the Iraqi War and is forced to extend his service. But he was also a young soldier that suffered from nightmares, relationship struggles and post traumtic stress. His performance was stunning and dearly hoped that he would do more simple dramas.
Being a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, I of course am always excited when another one of his books are being optioned for another film. I have read all but three of his books. For years, my favorites have been “Dear John” and “The Guardian”. I have always had a soft spot for military because of my parents, my brother, and my countless friends that are Marines, Air Force, Army and Navy. I myself am joining the Navy this year. And I knew as soon as I finished reading “Dear John” that John Tyree would always be my favorite character that Sparks ever created. In all honesty, I loved him because he’s the kind of man that I wanted in my life, and I was terribly jealous of Savannah…LOL…jealous of a characters…how ridiculous is that?
I was very excited when they decided to make this one, being one of my favorites. And when Channing Tatum signed for it, I couldn’t wait. I KNEW he would be perfect. KNEW it…I am so happy that I was right.
I can barely describe how much I LOVED “Dear John”…I am still caught up in all the emotions that I still have after seeing it a little while ago. I can say this…it is definitly the best version of one of Nicholas Sparks’ books turned movie that have yet come out. DEFINITLY the best, and the closest to the actual book itself. There wasn’t much, if anything missing. I was a little worried that Amanda Seyfried was not gonna be good enough for Savannah, but she proved me wrong.
Whatever the worries I had about Amanda Seyfried were shot down as soon as her and Channing Tatum were on screen together. Their on screen chemistry was amazing, and intimate, how I always imagined John and Savannah in the book. John, the quiet and almost dangerous loner that everyone shied away from while he walked the beach, who was scared to care about someone. And Savannah, the girl next door who made sure everyone else was okay before herself.
But what really made me ecstatic about this film, how well they portrayed the relationship between John and his father. I was actually unsure whether they would put the autistic part of the book into the movie. Nicholas Sparjs has become very good with writing love stories that are not just about the couple, but also about family. The story between John and his father always touched me more than the love story because of the relationship I have with my own father, and the bumps that we have gone through. That’s why I also love “The Last Song” so much.
Richard Jenkins did so well in portraying autisim, and with Channing Tatum, creating a father and son that completely touched me to the core. The scene where John reads his letter to his father when he is lying in the hospital…heartbreakingly poignant and created so effectively with Tatum’s tears and struggle to get through the words and Jenkin’s trembling hand on John’s shoulder, gently leading his son’s head onto his chest. It was perfect.
I can’t say enough about the acting that Channing Tatum did in this movie. It’s got to be almost impossibly difficult to act a character that is a quiet introvert and soldier struggling to find himself. He did alot of face acting, that usually involves movement to convey the feelings across the screen, and being able to really connect to the character you are acting. Alot of writers and directors forget that this is very important to love stories, but not Nicholas Sparks. This story gave Channing Tatum the oppertunity for this kind of acting, and he definitly pulled it off.
Well, saving people from spoilers, that all I’ll say about it, except for one more thing for those of you that want to know, like my best friend whenever she wants to borrow another Nicholas Sparks book…it has a happy ending, even though I cried throughout the last 45 minutes, its good. Even though the book doesn’t go this far, I always knew that it would end this way.
I truly can’t wait until Channing Tatum is in more true dramas. I even think this has the power to finally knock Avatar from #1 in the weekend box office…as long as enough people want to go see it.
SO GO SEE IT!!!!
“So…I’ll see you soon, John.” I can’t wait to have my own John.
