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DEAR JOHN

 ABOUT THE MOVIE

Genre: Romance/Drama
Starring:
Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins, Henry Thomas, Scott Porter, Leslea Fisher, Cullen Moss
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Rating: NC-16 (Scene Of Intimacy)
Year Made: 2010

 


 SPECIAL FEATURES

NIL

 

 


 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Languages: English
Subtitles: English/Chinese
Aspect Ratio: 16x9
Sound: Dolby Digital
Running Time: 1 hr 45 mins
Region Code: 3
Distributor: Scorpio East

 

 

SYNOPSIS: 

It was two weeks that would change their lives forever. Soon after John (Channing Tatum – PUBLIC ENEMIES, G.I. JOE) and Savannah (Amanda Seyfried - MAMMA MIA, TV's “Big Love") fall madly in love, their relationship is put on hold. With one leaving to complete his service, and the other to complete her college education, they pass the time by exchanging a continuous stream of love letters, until they can be reunited permanently a year later. But when war breaks out, their separation is extended indefinitely. Will their relationship survive the greatest test of all: the test of time? Based on the bestselling novel from the author of “The Notebook,” DEAR JOHN is a timeless romance that will warm your heart.

MOVIE REVIEW:

"Dear John" will not go down in history as the best adapted Nicholas Sparks’ work but as the romantic drama which dethroned "Avatar" from its number one spot in the box-office.

Filmed on a modest budget of $25 million, "Dear John" tells the story of two young lovers, John (Channing Tatum) and Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) who has to leave each other for a year after two weeks of whirlwind courtship. The former has to return to the US army to serve out his remaining duty while she has to return to college. They promised to constantly write each other letters to keep their romance blossoming and going. But the tragedy of September 11, 2001 forces John to choose the country over Savannah as he extends his enlistment leaving Savannah alone to make a decision that will alter their lives forever.

Avid followers of Sparks’ novels and the feminine demographic will not be disappointed with "Dear John". Director Lasse Hallström (Hachiko: A Dog’s Story, Chocolat) is an adept hand in creating sentimental, emotional pieces while not over-relying on the tear-jerker factor, something in which Nick Cassavetes commit with Spark’s "The Notebook". Although Cassavetes has a stronger material to work with, Hallström crafts an old-fashioned romance using old-school snail mails as a form of communication between the love birds. Earlier on, John has declared that he has no access to the internet while on duty so emails, Facebook are definitely out in case you are wondering.

Truthfully, the romance factor is not the one that turns on the waterworks. It’s the genuine father-and-son relationship between John and his obsessive coin-collecting father, Mr Tyree (Richard Jenkins) that serves as the highlight of the movie. Tatum who is more well-known for his stiff acting gives a satisfying performance especially in a scene reading his written letter to his dying father. Seyfried on the other hand fairs reasonably well although her character will be critiqued by many males for doing the most detestable thing in the world – marrying someone else while your boyfriend is away.

One glaring factor about "Dear John" (although nothing much to do with the filmmakers) is that this DVD is slapped with an NC-16 for a scene of intimacy revealing the questionable state of our censorship board. Ironically there aren’t any naughty bits to justify the harsh rating other than fuzzy, close-ups of the two lovebirds having a good time.

On the whole, romantic suckers will surely find "Dear John" rewarding and satisfying but the rest might jolly well shunned away from the clichéd plotline and tearful heartbreak that Sparks frequently weep (whip) up.

SPECIAL FEATURES :

NIL

AUDIO/VISUAL:

The overall visual presentation of "Dear John" is natural and sweet. The audio is pitch-perfect for a romance drama and you can even savour Seyfried’s own composition, "Little House" on the loving soundtrack.

MOVIE RATING:



DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee

Posted on 31 May 2010

 
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This review is made possible with the kind support from Scorpio East

 



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