The Best of Me - Il meglio di me

I really enjoyed this movie, but I must give a disclaimer... I never read the book, so I can't base my rating on how accurately the movie follows the book. I found that this movie had a lot of twists in it and wasn't as predictable as most other romance movies. (Also, it didn't hurt that James Marsden is great to look at.) I thought the actress who played young Amanda was really good, and I loved seeing the story as the two were growing up & also in modern times. I'm not sure why this movie has gotten so much hate... I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and would even pay to see it again if I get the chance.

I was not a fan of The Notebook, and would much rather watch this movie instead of The Notebook. Sure, the movies probably don't follow Nicholas Sparks' books super detailed, but they're good to watch if you're in the mood for a heartfelt love story.

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

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.

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.

I was looking for a nice romantic flick to bring my girlfriend to so it could set the mood for the evening. Well, that plan failed and I ended up bringing my ex to the movies to see it instead. It really touched me in a deep way that no other love story has in the past. Sounds kinda corny, but for me, it touched on some areas. Well, needless to say, we held hands all during the movie and more later.

Okay, so I read up on the reviews before coming to see this movie and they all made it sound like a boring box office flop, BUT reviews can be very deceiving because this was a diamond that was tarnished by viewers who had NO clue what a romantic flick this really is about! So my advice to you is to go and see it with an open mind and heart and let the movie just unveil itself to your heart and mind and see what happens... best wishes!