Movie Review for “A Walk to Remember”
Synopsis: Love brings together what peer pressure and lifestyles seek to keep apart in this coming-of-age story based on the bestselling book. Teen idol Shane West and multiplatinum recording star Mandy Moore star as two high schoolers — she a straitlaced preacher’s daughter and he an unmotivated delinquent. When events thrust him into her world, he begins an unexpected journey he’ll never forget.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 101 Min.
Director: Adam Shankman
Dvd Extra’s: Commentaries by Shane West, Mandy Moore, Adam Shankman, Nicholoas Sparks, and Karen Janszen – Cast film highlights — Mandy Moore music video “Cry”.
Nudity Factor: None
Of Note: The movie was shot in North Carolina; many of the sets were from the TV show “Dawson’s Creek” (1998) – particularly the school, hospital and Landon’s home.
Recommendations:
This story follows the main characters. One is the boy that appears to always be in trouble, has little faith in god, and is walking a dangerous path that results in a classmate getting seriously hurt. The other character is a girl that is picked on for the clothes she wears, the things she takes interest in, and on top of that she is the preachers’ daughter. This is the normal way of things until the two lives are placed in each other’s way and secrets come out that no one knows about the character played by Mandy Moore. Based on the novel written by Nicholas Sparks, this film is more than just a high school drama. Just when you think you know where this movie is heading, it takes you on a ride that will leave most crying. As the two together become more than just teenage stereotypes. So yes, this is a chic flix, and I am sure more than one guy got forced to go to it. At times the acting is not all that good, but what saves this movie is the powerful writing by Sparks. He seems to have a very good grasp on life and the emotions that go with it. This is put with a great soundtrack that goes well with the tone of the movie. As a chic flix this movie is not going to be for everyone but for me, it touched on a subject that has effected our family making it have even more meaning. When something touches close to home, you either love it or hate it because of that. In this case a lot of good came from a bad situation, making me realize that even in a bad situation good can come out of it. With that I wouldn’t say that I love the movie but for the most part enjoyed it.
I am becoming a Seth MacFarlane fan in a round about way. I started to like what he was doing with The Orville and thought, if that is good, maybe some of his other stuff is good as well. I had heard about this movie when it came out and now years later thought let’s give it a try. It follows Albert, who is played by none other than Seth MacFarlane himself. He is a great actor, by the way. Albert is a sheep farmer in the old west. Of course, living in the old west comes with a high risk of everything wanting to kill you including blocks of ice. When is girlfriend breaks up with him, he is ready to give up on life until Anna shows up and changes his life. Of course there is more to the story of Anna and her past eventually catches up to her. The story itself is full of funny moments. The thing that is different about this film as it pulls not punches. It goes places that comedies no longer will go. This is not a politically correct film, and anyone that will be offended by that should not watch it. It swears, takes prostitution lightly, and drops the F-bomb over and over again. Of course, it does all of those things for comedic effect. I actually enjoyed the fact that boundaries were crossed that other are afraid to cross.
Overall I found this film funny, the story fun, and Seth MacFarlane delivers another great performance. I still would caution anyone that is easily offended, as you will be offended. Don’t ruin it for those that enjoy this and have thick enough skin to be able to watch this without getting offended.