The Best of Me

So my movie theatre-working friend was getting off from work in the afternoon today and he wanted to see another movie before going to his sister's house to watch the New Orleans-Green Bay football game there. So this was what we ended up seeing. I once again decided to humor him and to tell the truth, this was quite enjoyable despite some familiar clichés like bad boy-liking-good girl-who-he-has-to-break up-with-because-of-his-roots (well, there was more than that but you get the idea). The fact this was filmed and takes place in our home state of Louisiana was a plus for me and my friend as we recognized some town names being mentioned and certain car window stickers in the film. Yes, it's based on a Nicholas Sparks book and it has what you'd possibly expect from him. Still, by the time it all ended, we were both touched by what happened. So on that note, The Best of Me is worth a look.

This actually made me sad. It was corny and cliché like 80% of the time yes, but it was actually kind of great, and I liked it. Rare

Good romantic films are almost as rare as good comedies. I really did not ask for anything special, as I like "chick flicks" and Hollywood has such a love affair with action movies, Hollywood has almost stopped making them. Nonetheless, I really disliked this one; because, even with the clichés, this movie had so much promise. The movie opens with a fine action sequence; and James Marsden is a really watchable actor. However, as soon as the parallel love stories begin, the movie falls apart. First of all "young Amanda" (Liana Liberato) not only does not look much like "older Amanda" (Michelle Monaghan), their body languages and acting styles are completely different. There is even a bigger disparity with "young Dawson" (Luke Bracey) and "older Dawson" (James Marsden). Thanks to terrific performances by Liana Liberato and Gerald McRaney, the flashback sequences are much more entertaining than the present sequences, even though Michael Hoffman's direction is much better in the present sequences. Hoffman shoots WAY too many of the flashback sequences as medium shots, when closeups would have been far better. Even the ending seems tacked on and trite.

Except for Liana Liberato and Gerald McRaney, "The Best of Me" is anything but. I give "The Best of Me" a "5".

The stage curtains open ...

Continuing my journey of films from the past that I've never seen before, I found this one - "The Best of Me". The description simply read that two former high school sweetheaerts reconnect years later in their hometown. Seeing that it starred Michelle Monaghan and James Marsden, I was all-in. Sounded like a nice, quiet and warm film to get behind and enjoy for a couple of hours. Well, that was about half right.

When both Dawson Cole and Amanda Reynolds are informed of a close friend's death, they make their way back to where they grew up to attend the reading of his last will. Neither one expected to see the other some 20 years later, and past flames and old wounds are re-opened as they go through the emotional experience of reliving their passionate past and dealing with the reality of their modern day lives. They find out that simmering beneath the surface are a lot of unresolved feelings leading to a decidedly final conclusion.

I was really enjoying this movie. I thought the characters and plot were very strong with solid acting and a fitting soundtrack. We are given snippits of their past with flashback scenes that really added to the story. And then heading into the third act, this film seriously derails into such ridiculous events that just about ruined the whole thing for me. And the final resolution is meant to make you feel wonder and awe and all I could think was, "this is B. S."

I hated the ending. This is one of those rare movies where I loved it and I hated it. So, I have to rate it right down the middle. If you are into an over-the-top, melodramatic twist ending, then you might like this one. Overall, it was entertaining, well paced, and well acted. I can't recommend it though. I don't know ... maybe a 2nd viewing might change my mind, but I doubt it.

I couldn't imagine what's the end of story 😢 I loved it.