Review of Nights in Rodanthe (2008) by Timothy S — 11 Dec 2011

Best selling author Nicholas Sparks has a huge fan base full of avid readers, but the film adaptations of his works have been met with a varying degree of success on the silver screen. "Nights in Rodanthe" hasn't earned the fans' respect like "The Notebook" did, but I found this to be the better film by a slim margin.

There's the same sappy, Harlequinn romance tripe that the women will no doubt love, but there's also enough actual quality here to keep their men engaged as well. That's not an easy feat to accomplish. First and foremost, it features to fine actors in the leading roles, and both Diane Lane and Richard Gere fit comfortably in their roles. Their old friends from their appearance together in the far superior "Unfaithful", and you believe them as a couple. They have great chemistry, but next time they choose a project together they should pick something with a little more bite.

I would have liked to see a little more done with their character's backstory, especially where Gere is involved, but the screenwriters spend most of the picture in the here and now. The whole thing is completely formulaic and plays it safe one time too many by never straying too far from that formula. And the finale might catch some viewers off guard, but fans of Sparks' works will not be surprised by the film's downbeat curve ball. It's his M.O. and if you let the film suck you in, you'll be taken by it.

More jaded viewers of "Nights in Rodanthe" won't be gotten that easily, but there's enough good here for me to be able to recommend it.