A Walk to Remember Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: A popular boy easily falls in love with the school outcast, because she's played by Mandy Moore. Nuff said.

Review: Valentine's Day may be over, but I promised to review a chick flick and I shall deliver a chick flick. Okay, I have to come clean here...I actually...can't believe I'm going to admit this...love this movie! It's my guilty pleasure, pretty much the only chick flick I enjoy, and this movie just touches me on some strange level. Maybe it's the film's charm, innocent romance, or that Mandy Moore's character is so likable while somehow being wholesomely hot--I mean, just look at her on the film poster! Now that's the kind of girl you can proudly bring home to mom. I'm not going to pretend this movie is without flaw, because it is loaded with them. In fact, there are moments that are flat out idiotic and off the charts corny, melodramatic, and overly sentimental, but none of this deters from the overall experience for me; this cheesiness probably adds to the charm. Even though the main characters fall in love quickly, I can't help but find myself invested and wanting to see their relationship through to the end. It also doesn't hurt that the leads, Ms. Moore and Shane West, have awesome chemistry with one another and allow the audience to get behind their struggles.

This film is, in actuality, based on a book, of the same name, by the master of cheesy romance, Nicholas Sparks. However, it's definitely of note that the book and this movie have little in common besides some of the characters and certain events. The character's personalities are completely different, the time of the setting is made contemporary, and the ending is completely altered so you really don't need much of an understanding of the novel to appreciate this film as a stand alone entry; although, I suppose if you read the book you may see this film as a bastardization of that material, but they're so different from one another they shouldn't be compared realistically. Anyway, the story is nothing we haven't seen a thousand times before since it's just popular, douchebag boy with a heart of gold falls for the outcast hot girl who changes his life as they get together. Thankfully, the presentation goes in an interesting direction aided by actors playing their parts with utter conviction to bring to life a believable romance.

To set things in motion, the main character, Landon, and his punk friends get some kid to borderline commit suicide and Landon takes the fall...somewhat; after all, he is the "Jedi Master of bullshit." Now in trouble and injured, Landon is forced to join clubs and participate in activities he doesn't want to as a punishment by the principal who is never seen or heard from again. It is at this point that he crosses paths multiple times with Jamie, the daughter of the town reverend. Jamie suffers from Hollywood dorky girl syndrome since she is a hot chick dressed down and given some makeup to look pasty and now she's magically a loser--except she's still played by Ms. Moore and looking oh so sexy anyway! You know, this fact wouldn't even bother me so much if it weren't for the fact that Jamie is seriously better looking than every single female in the entire film; I don't care if she's the absolute biggest geek of all time under all the hotness, she would still be popular, because the natural shallowness of society demands it. Moving on--Jamie tries to be Landon's friend out of kindness, and because she suspects there is a nice guy under the wannabe cool-guy exterior but Landon is apprehensive. Later, the two are cast as the leads in some school play and Landon wants to practice lines together, but is embarrassed to be seen hanging out with Jamie. When Jamie tries to talk to Landon with his friends around, he makes her look like an idiot, which rightfully pisses Jamie off; eventually Landon tries to explain his actions to Jamie, but she's done wasting time trying to befriend him.

Beginning to realize what an asshole he has become, Landon attempts to improve himself which includes trying harder with the kid he tutors, taking his role in the play more seriously rather than simply not wanting to look bad, and finally apologizing to the kid he and his friends messed up who had been hospitalized. When the night of the play rolls around, Landon is shocked that Jamie is looking super sexy and forgets his lines momentarily. I really like this part, because Landon ad-libs his lines basically telling Jamie how beautiful he finds her which surprises her since she knows those aren't his lines. This is probably a good time to mention Ms. Moore sings for herself here as well as a large chunk of the soundtrack. At the close of the play, I guess, Landon and Jamie kiss which is pretty intense for them and the other main characters pick up on this amusingly. In the days after the play, Landon tries to apologize to Jamie for the way he had been acting and tells her that he misses her, likes her, and that he suspects she feels the same way but is afraid to admit it. In a gesture of good faith to show his genuine desire to be with Jamie, Landon buys her a new sweater which had been sort of a running gag throughout the film thus far.

Landon's ex-girlfriend is annoyed that people think Jamie looked hot (whoa go figure) and so she plots (and I use that term loosely) to make Jamie look dumb with one of the worst, pathetically childish, most moronic pranks known to mankind. The ex-girlfriend and Landon's other flunky friends photoshop Jamie's head on to some bikini-clad body and distribute the photo. The idiocy of this "scheme" is further exasperated with laughably bad music playing and when we see so many people laughing like this retarded prank is the funniest thing ever. For some reason this upsets Jamie, but luckily Landon is there to save the day and beat up his bitch-boy friend who retorts with "we're through foreva!" Oh noooo, not "foreva!" Landon finally asks Jamie out for a date, but she's apparently not allowed to date which requires Landon to convince Jamie's whiny-bitch dad to give him a chance--which he succeeds at. Landon goes to great effort to make this date amazing which includes doing things on Jamie's, apparent, bucket list which means a lot to her. At the end of the date, Landon confesses he loves Jamie (slow down there buddy) and the two kiss. We get the feeling that quite a bit of time is passing as we see Landon and Jamie on other dates, spending time together which aggravates his former flunkies, and Landon explains to his mom (played by Daryl Hannah looking like shit) that he wants to put his life on a better path and that it's because Jamie inspires him...aww how sweet!

The movie then ends abruptly with the two living happily ever after--oh wait, nope, Jamie reveals she's dying of cancer! Talk about a buzzkill. Jamie is troubled, because she never thought she'd have something as strong to live for as Landon and obviously Landon is saddened since he doesn't want to lose the love of his life. Landon's friends slowly make peace with him as they realize what Landon and Jamie have together and that they are simply flunkies which is a pathetic kind of existence. Landon and Jamie come to terms with the situation and decide to make the best of the time they have together which is endearing. This also leads to Landon forgiving and becoming reacquainted with his father once more as Jamie grows sicker. Realizing that Jamie's number one item from her bucket list was to marry in the same church as her parents, Landon asks her to marry him which she obviously excepts. Although, wouldn't it have been hilarious if she said no? Plus, this part makes me laugh so much because Jamie says she'd do "anything" for Landon--maybe I'm just a sick fuck, but I imagine any number of shenanigans that Landon would ask her to do. So the two get married and Landon narrates the final scenes explaining that they had one last summer together before Jamie died. Years later Landon returns from medical school to give Jamie's father a book that his wife had given to Jamie. Jamie's father explains that Landon was like a miracle to Jamie which somewhat mirrors what Jamie had said about Landon being sent by God to help her through her death. The film ends with Landon explaining that Jamie's love is always with him and that it's like the wind: he can't see it, but he can feel it.

I don't know what it is about this film, but I enjoy it so thoroughly when I probably shouldn't. The subtle nuances are great, and the corny moments and dialogue somehow enhance the feel creating an inexplicable charm that is hard to establish deliberately. Ms. Moore is wonderful with her dreamy-eyed, innocent hot-dork portrayal of Jamie. I think she did a fantastic job acting for her first lead role while doubling as the main singer for the soundtrack which is an impressive feat; speaking of which, I do like most of the songs. Mr. West, likewise, pulls off a successful portrayal and transition for Landon while coming off as a believable reformed douchebag with genuine emotion. Also, one of the best things I liked about the romance was that even though Jamie was really religious, she never tried to force her beliefs on Landon and loved him nonetheless. Overall, this is the best chick flick out there I've watched...well, to be honest, I do like "13 Going On 30" and "You've Got Mail," but I'll get to those some other time...oh, and I did like "Cyborg Girl" and "Parasite Eve" oh and "Phantom of the Opera" and--what the hell...do I like chick flicks now?! Anyway, check this one out, because it's nowhere near as bad as you'd think and it's really a sweet little film; and this is coming from a horror movie-loving man.

Notable Moment: When Eric says, "Where's your sweater?" in a mocking way. It feels off the cuff, and the look on Landon's face is priceless. I have to give Mr. West credit for subtle acting skills since his character is supposed to feel somewhat guilty, but then he pauses for a second thinking about Eric's joke and laughs because it's genuinely amusing even if he does like Jamie.

Final Rating: 7.5/10