Review of Dear John (2010) by James C — 08 Feb 2018

Dear John is a romantic film that presents on a different level to many of it genre counterparts. Hallstrom's film recieved critiscm from the start, for being tedious and repititve, claiming the film to be another shortfall in the romantic category. While the film did recieve very harsh critiscm, these statements are to be studied after we watch the film and not before.

Dear John offers a fresh new take forthe cinema enthuaist, introducing two characters that fall deeply in love in bizarre circumstances. Thier love (like all of us) is however, presented with a test : can it withstand uncontrollable trials and tribulations in the ever changing environment the.

Couple find themselves in?

We may be thinking that weve seen and heard this all before from Hollywood film makers, but in fairness to Hallstroms picture, its never been displayed on screen with such realism before...

Channing and Seyfried are wonderfully cast and very believable in thier role. The film doesn't promote a 'mushy' love story approach, but instead deals with the reality of love in the given situation the couple find themselves in. This warrants a refreshing change to the romantic film genre and promotes a realistic feel to the film. Too often are we presented with over the top, far fetched love stories that are 'churned' out of Hollywood. The kind of 'disney' fairytale romance....

Well, Hallstrom's gamble here is a risky one with Dear John, but it pays off.

The film tells its story well- with no noticable plot holes and great character development. While the slow but steady pace may be boring for some, it actually works in the films favour. It gives the audience time to digest the depth of the story that Hallstrom presents and adequate time to appreciate the characters also. The film looks beautiful too- with lovely scenic backgrounds of California in the heat of summer- contrasted well against the gritty, dusty and sparse setting of Afganistan ( when we see John go off to war). Were left feeling real emotion for the characters in the latter parts of the film and we see that the couples relationship goes far beyond just themselves, but everything and everyone around them.

Dear John really is one of 2010's gems if your able to give it time to be appreciated. The film requires a patient approach with an open mind, but if you stick with it long enough you may just discover how brilliantly this has been made, and more importantly directed. If Dear John teaches us one thing at all, its that love is found in the strangest places, but if its found.. isnt that the important thing? .... x.

Dear John is out now on Bluray and DVD.