bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

THE BEST OF ME
	Starring: James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan, Luke Bracey, Liana Liberato
	Director: Michael Hoffman
	Category: IIA
	
 
Michael Hoffman's adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' ninth romance novel to be brought to the big screen, explores the beauty of young love, but sadly feels bereft of original ideas.
The love story between Dawson Cole and Amanda Collier is full of clichés, as well as a story arc that is associated with so many romance tales and films.
The formula goes like this: high school boy meets girl, there's an instant chemistry between them, the girl's rich parents disapprove of the boy's background, the boy gets into trouble, and the young lovers are forced apart.
Anyone who has seen The Notebook will notice similarities between the two, especially as both Sparks movie adaptations feature James Marsden.
The film is full of repetitions, and after seeing the third slow dance scene in which the protagonists mouth dialogue you've already heard, you may be feeling a little fed up.
The ending is abrupt and disappointing, the plot is wrapped up all too quickly. There are also too many coincidences for the storyline to be believable.
Although Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato impress with their portrayals of the young Dawson and Amanda, there are few physical resemblances to James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan (both pictured), who play the older version of the couple.
For all its faults, the movie possesses some heart-wrenching scenes that will leave a few soft-hearted souls teary-eyed.
It's also possible that it will inspire some viewers to ponder what one really needs to lead a truly satisfying and meaningful life.
 
The Best of Me opens on December 4
 


Film review: The Best of Me

The Best of Me 

Magazines

48 Hours

Michael Hoffman's adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' ninth romance novel to be brought to the big screen, explores the beauty of young love, but sadly feels bereft of original ideas.
