Kevin McCarthy

24 May 2012

Dear John is nothing to write home about.

Willie Waffle

23 May 2012

A movie about a great set of abs falling in lust with a great pair of ... legs. No romance. No magic. No heart. No soul.

23 May 2012

Not a perfect film, but there are perfect moments

I went into this film not reading the book and being a fan of the director LH, who directed My Life as a Dog and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. The romance part didn't work as well as the more understated and conflicted relationship between father and son. The highlight and probably one of my favorite scenes in any film recently, is the wrenching hospital scene where Channing Tatum reads a letter to his dying father. Words that you will have heard already, and made much more profound than you once thought. Channing Tatum is not a great actor, but he nailed this scene. Worth the price of the movie.

Joshua Starnes

23 May 2012

Dear John is built on mawkishness and it brings everything it touches down to that level. It rubs the metaphor of coins and coin collecting so deeply into the audience face you're sure to have a welt by the time the movie's over.

jerrindrone

18 May 2012

a well played drama, natural faces..

well, i have not read the book so this is not a comparison between thebook and the screen.the plot is running a bit fast and the romance isbuilt up rather quickly and the worst part is the story deviates itscourse in an abrupt way. the story is so simple and predictable.but the characters have really put themselves into it.as many complainschanning tatum is not giving too much expressions but taking intoaccount his character its acceptable. he is a soldier and a tough guywith a tough past but how he changes himself for love is impressive.hisappearance and built is appealing.he does a nice job in the lastmelancholic scenes.amanda seyfried has done a wonderful part 'living' thecharacter.'acting' as we see it of julia roberts or meg ryan is notseen here but she is simple,sun shine and just lively.its morenatural.especially the last but one shot where tatum leaves herhome,she has done a wonderful job.the music is so lively andstrengthens the moments. the last scenes may not break you into tearsbut i am sure you will enjoy watching it again.the plot was never ending in a doom or destruction as many has said butits beautiful in that the couple still loves each other,how badly sheneeds him and how he understands her situation and forgives her andhelps her at the same time he cant accept her as before because she isanother man's wife.the reason she has for leaving him is not a selfishone but is from her deep love to tim and alan and her sacrificialcaring.even though an apparent tragedy follows when tatum says goodbyethe movie ends with a ray of hope.its a good movie,an ordinary story with beautiful moments and naturalcharacters and a good message.

18 May 2012

Dear John hits all the same Nicholas Sparks notes and will make women weep

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sfeches

14 May 2012

Touched My Heart

I felt so amazingly touched and brought to tears watching this. I can'teven tell you how heart wrenching and beautiful it was to watch Johnand Savannah relate to each other. To find someone in that chancemeeting of fate and to know that kind of love is something you can onlyexperience and it reminded me of my own life in that way. And to beapart while sharing in that love through letters. It shows the power ofthe heart and the compassion that they had for one another. Savannahsupporting John's decision to re-enlist even though she knew thedangers. As hard as it must be for a man to go out and face thatdanger, I don't think they cold ever realize what it is to be the onewaiting for them and the not knowing that comes with it. Ugh, I watchedit 4 times in theaters and I loved the book. I' halfway through readingit for a second time. I love it dearly!!!!!!

longcooljolie

14 May 2012

Average weeper, though very often cinematically beautiful

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

11 May 2012

Dear John hits all the same Nicholas Sparks notes and will make women weep

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Laura Clifford

11 May 2012

With "The Notebook" being at the top of its class for unabashed weepies, "Dear John" is a second tier effort that occasionally pays off because of the actors...

jennywaltz

08 May 2012

Great romantic movie!

I watched the movie and I loved it! Than I read the reviews afterwordsand I thought... oh, this was a great romantic movie and if the book iseven better - I have to get the book! So I read the book and I have tosay, that I liked the movie much more. I guess I would be the only onehere to say this.. I admit, the relationship between John and hisfather is described in more details in the book and that makes it moretouching, but I also understand that the movie cant be as descriptiveas a book. And also I have to add, that I loved both Channing andAmanda in their roles, they acted great, no, they were Perfect! I wasreally surprised they got such bad reviews on their acting here... So Igive it 10/10 and I made this one of the most romantic movies I haveever seen.

Gordon-11

08 May 2012

An engaging romantic drama

This film is about a pair of sweethearts in love who had the best twoweeks ever, then separated by distance as the guy has to serve in thearmy."Dear John" has good plot development, the main plot is engaging butsad. Underneath the helplessness and sadness imposed upon the lovers bydistance and inaccessibility, "Dear John" is such a sweet film. AmandaSeyfried and Channing Tatum deliver adequate performances, but it isRichard Jenkins who shines in the film. He plays an autistic individualwho has an intense interest in coin collection. His reservedpersonality and awkwardness towards interpersonal communication areportrayed very well."Dear John" is an engaging drama. It is very romantic, and I imagine itwill become a must see for young couples in the future.

04 May 2012

better than the book - spoilers

I liked this movie much more than the book. I thoroughly enjoyed Channing Tatum as John - I thought he was well cast and my heart broke for him time after time. Amanda Seyfried made Savannah a likable character, which she was NOT in the book. Although, I'd prefer the book ending to this movie ending - Savannah simply does NOT deserve John...

Rubin Safaya

04 May 2012

Mr. Tatum... gives Keanu Reeves serious competition - defining numerous shades of blank of which I had been thus far unaware.

04 May 2012

A Disappointment

Having read the book, I was very excited to see this movie. Several things about this movie really irritated me. First, the casting of Amanda Seyfried as Savannah was a very tragic mistake on the behalf of the casting dept. She did not look the part of Savannah, nor did she have the depth necessary to pull the character off. Channing Tatum was good as John, and the gentleman who played John's dad was a good fit. Second, the way they changed the ending really made me sick. This book was about selfless love and what it means to want to see someone truly happy, and the way they killed Tim off was just horrible. The relationship with Allen being Tim's son in the movie was wierd too, since the whole story was supposed to be that of Tim looking out for Allen since he was his brother and lost their parents and everything. The adaptation was horrible, and so much was lost in the beauty of the book.

03 May 2012

Sappy, but not terrible

An Army soldier and a young woman fall in love at the time of the 9/11 attack, and their relationship blossoms while he is away at war. They exchange letters regularly, with the distance having an effect on their romance. This is a standard, run of the mill melodrama. The performances are solid, as is the chemistry onscreen. Effectively done, but no new ground is being broken here.

aandrewdorst74

02 May 2012

Good movie

Really good movie if you like this genre As far as a love story, Iwould give it a 8.5 As to the war the war aspect an 8 overall I wouldrate it an 8to an 8.5 The movie is well done and well acted. There arebetter movies, but this is a good one to watch. Compared to othermovies in the last couple years, it ranks up there. Unless you don'tlike love stories, ie. chick-flicks,you'll probable like it. Keep upthe good work guys.If there is a rating for these actors/actresses and the movies theyperformed in, I would have to say that this movie would be one of theirbest.Maybe not an award winner, but a good watch for anyone who justlikes movies and wants to pass the time and not be board.No complaintsfrom me, I am not going to nit pick on little issues.

Amy Adler

02 May 2012

Dear Nicholas, Dear Lasse, thanks for giving us such a lovely film!

John Tyree (Channing Tatum) is on leave from the U.S.Army's specialforces. It is the summer of 2001 and he has returned to his father(Richard Jenkins) and home on the Carolina coast. On the beach one day,a group of young adults are horsing around and a purse falls in theocean. It belongs to beautiful Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) and she isupset over its loss. Without hesitation, John dives into the water,finds it, and returns it to her. She is happy, although one of hercompanions, a male with an interest in Savannah, is less than content.Nevertheless, from that moment, the two begin a tentative relationship.John tells Savannah that he will be out of the army in about a year andasks that she wait for him. Although they only share a few kisses, theyoung couple are in love. However, they part, vowing to write to eachother often. Complicating things is the fact that John's dad isautistic, relating poorly to the community, and so is the son ofSavannah's attractive neighbor, Tim (Henry Thomas). Savannahcommunicates well with each of them but John does not. Then, 9/11occurs and John feels he must re-enlist, knowing his unit needs him. Ona very brief leave, Savannah and John spend a few precious hourstogether. But, then John is gone. What does their future hold? This is,surprisingly, a most lovely film and worthy of praise. A story thatcould have been melodramatic and trite is, instead, genuinely moving.The cast is quite nice, with Tatum and Seyfried making a fine couple,while Jenkins and Thomas deliver especially notable turns. The scenery,costuming, production values, and Nicholas Sparks' tale are good aswell. Most importantly, Hallstrom "mixes things up" and uses some veryinteresting camera shots and scene arrangements to deliver a film ofgreat style. Dear viewer, don't think this is another teen flick withlittle to offer for the general public. On the contrary, most fans ofromantic drama will find it enthralling.

samkay1

02 May 2012

Sometimes touching, though rather uninspired

John returns to his coastal hometown after completing a tour overseaswith the troops. One day on the beach, He meets Savanah, the new faceon the block. After two 'magical' weeks together, it's back to schoolfor her, and back to the battlefield for John. The only thing keepingthem together is pen and paper, while the forces of time threaten tosplit them apartI know now that nothing Nicholas Sparks writes will be inspired, andnot even a veteran like Lasse Hallstrom can make a strong movie fromhis material. We've seen this kind of story before, though usually inhistorical settings such as with Cold Mountain or Atonement. Thehistory helps a bit. In the late 20th century, there is no real senseof distance between the two lovers. It's a smaller world. Montageediting plays a key role here, and to some degree it achieveseffectiveness, while at the same time, it keeps Dear John from going indepth. As a studio production, intended for a pg-13 audience, the filmunfortunately must keep within the public attention span. It's a bodyfilm not a brainy film, one intended to provoke tears, not thoughts.On an emotional level, Dear John works a bit, but only a bit. The rolesare somewhat beyond the acting range of Amanda Seyfried and ChanningTatum, but a few sparks fly between them. I've seen better and I'veseen worse. Dear John is probably good for a weep, but not a huge one.otherwise, it won't be of much use.

01 May 2012

Dear John DVD

This review is from: Dear John (DVD) This movie is very endearing. I love all of Nicholas Sparks books and movies and this one is one of the top 5 I've seen or read.