Nights at Rodanthe - Movie Review

Hollywood has managed to do it again. Nights at Rodanthe is a movie based on a moving, romantic, and passionate novel by Nicholas Sparks. However, just as producers did to A Walk to Remember, Hollywood managed to strip much of the emotion and passion from the story to bring it to the big screen.

I had high hopes for Nights at Rodanthe. I expected a movie that would engage my heart, mind, and emotions. The movie was mildly engaging, mildly emotional, and mindless. Much of the passion and intrigue that moved the story in the novel Nights at Rodanthe was missing from the movie.

Richard Gere and Diane Lane gave moving performances in as much as they could, considering the screenplay with which they had to work. Much of their acting involved Gere and Lane staring at each other intensely.

Admittedly, Gere could stare into my eyes anytime and the variety of emotions from confusion, hurt, and tenderness which he portrayed in his eyes and expression were impressive. It would have been nice had he had a more action accompanying the slow moving plot.

Lane also displayed emotions with character and grace. From anticipation to joy and uncertainty to grief Diane Lane delivered. Like Gere, however, she wasn't given much plot with which to work.

The unfortunate and disappointing aspect of Nights at Rodanthe is that it doesn't come close to touching the emotion and character driven plot of the novel. Ever since I saw Message in a Bottle I have expected the same intensity and drama from Nicholas Sparks' novels re-written for the screen. I have yet to see another Sparks' novel accurately and vividly portray the feeling with which Nicholas Sparks writes.

I expected Nights at Rodanthe to be one of the top romantic movies of 2008. I was wrong.

Nights at Rodanthe is good enough to tug at your heart strings. I'd say it's fair to spend your time watching the movie, but wait for it on video. It is not a movie going experience that I would recommend.

I give Nights at Rodanthe three out of five stars, and that is a stretch. The movie would rate a two for cinematography and discography, but it is redeemed to some extent by two excellent actors.