MOVIE REVIEW: Dear John

By Desiree Hahn | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Bring a box of tissues and go ahead and cry. “Dear John”, based on a book written by Nicholas Sparks, is the perfect combination of happy and heart-tugging moments that make the viewer feel the emotions of the characters.

The film follows Special Forces Army Sgt. John Tyree (Channing Tatum) and college student Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried) as their romance grows. As she is away at college and he is away at war, they keep close through a series of events from when they first meet in the spring of 2001.

With the 9/11 terrorist attacks, war, family hardships and distance keeping them apart, they keep in touch by writing lengthy letters to each other.

Savannah comes from a rich family. She has horses and hosts frequent gatherings. John has a middle-class, quiet father, who is an obsessive coin collector. John has a history of trouble making, which he claims is his past identity that he is trying to change.

After John’s spring 2001 leave, he only had 12 more months left of duty but then the 9/11 attacks made it more complex. He now had to choose between being home with his love, Savannah and re-enlisting to serve his country. Sometimes love isn’t enough.

“Dear John” is rated PG-13, and has the perfect amount of romance and drama to make the film thoroughly enjoyable. The audience cried and laughed as we watched the sweet romance between two young adults.