Tearjerker: the single word to describe the ninth and latest novel-to-silver-screen adaptation from the cupid of our generation, Nicholas Sparks. The author released The Best Of Me on October 17, with a plot line reminiscent of The Notebook: passionate with young love torn apart, then rekindled by none other than fate itself.
After living separate lives for 20 years, former high school sweethearts Dawson (played by James Marsden) and Amanda (played by Michelle Monaghan) find themselves back in their hometown, forcefully reunited after an old mutual friend passed away and left their names on his will. The reunion between the two exes starts out bitter, then turns sweet. Many secrets and mysteries of these tragic lovers’ pasts are peeled back, layer by layer, through a series of flashbacks. Luke Bracey plays a young Dawson and Liana Liberato, a young Amanda. The classic star-crossed lovers storyline now comes into full effect.
Dawson comes from a tragic past, a long line of notorious, “trailer trash” family members and a father who beats him. Amanda comes from a privileged lifestyle with parents who believe they know what is best for her future, which (naturally) includes breaking up with Dawson. The couple becomes separated by an accident involving a gun and puppy-eyed Dawson being sentenced to eight years in prison. Amanda insists on making their separated lives work, but Dawson cuts it off with barely half an explanation. Typical Nicholas Sparks.
Twenty years pass, Dawson lives a simple life alone while Amanda finds herself in a loveless marriage – the perfect formula for a scandalous reunion. Old feelings and regrets resurface, leading to a few days of a careless affair and the struggle to face its impending consequences.
I won’t give away the ending, but I will say that I was disappointed. Then again, I have never left a romantic drama fully satisfied because it always ends to my distaste. In my opinion, the film focused a little too much on Dawson’s relationship with his abusive father as well as a few other issues on Amanda’s end. This distracted me from being able to fully immerse myself into Dawson and Amanda’s relationship. Nevertheless, if you’re a sucker for romance like me, give it a shot on your next date night. Maybe you can handle this emotional roller coaster ride better than I did.
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