A Walk to Remember - no ‘sparks’

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Nicholas Sparks is one of the best selling authors in the world and it is no surprise that filmmakers are trying to cash in on the success of his novels by turning them into films. However the sad case of films not meeting up to the mark of its original continues in Adam Shankman’s adaptation of Sparks’ A Walk to Remember into a film of the same title.

It may seem like one of those stories in which the bad boy learns moral lessons in life due to a misfit’s influence at first glance. However the beauty of Sparks’ novels arise in an unexpected twist to the tale, a secret which comes unexpectedly to light and fits the jigsaw in place so that we get a clearer picture of why certain incidents took place and the burdens that characters have carried throughout the years, struggling to let go of demons of the past.

This emotional turmoil which the characters face with much bravado is the essence of Sparks’ success and what makes us sympathize and bond with the characters. However Shankman’s production lacks this ingredient so much so that we are meant to feel that they are unreal. Jamie and London are hardly given time to bond with each other before Jamie’s tragic health situation is revealed.

The story brings forth two characters that are thrown into circumstances in which they are pitted against each other. London Carter maybe a big name among his peers but he is an aimless and moody troublemaker with hardly any thought to spare for others. One night he dares a boy to jump into a reservoir to join his gang. The prank goes wrong and London has to engage in community service as a punishment. He has to tutor disadvantaged students and take part in the Drama Club’s spring play. This throws him in the company of Jamie Sullivan, the conservative daughter of the town’s church minister.

Jamie is a far cry from London. She doesn’t care that others see her as boring and seems to know exactly what she wants with life. While doing the play London learns about following his heart and doing what he feels is right. Jamie opens a part of him that he did not know had existed and they fall in love with each other. However a tragic matter looms which threatens to destroy their dreams. It is all about how far you would go for the sake of true love.

Mandy Moore gives a good presentation of Jamie while Shane West tries to put together a tolerable act as London. He lacks the charm which is supposed to make him one of the heartthrobs at school. One of the real let downs of this emotionally charged tale is the lack of chemistry between Moore and West. Peter Coyote who plays Jamie’s father does a good job especially in projecting his emotions through facial expressions.

His hospital scene with Jamie is especially tear-jerking. No doubt you will find yourself reaching for a tissue in this episode.

Similarly London’s union with his father too touches your heart. A Walk to Remember is a winner parent-children bondage wise.

Though the film is not artistically presented A Walk to Remember is a tale that people cannot help but love and remember.

It relates how the gestures of those close to us give us strength and hope in the darkest moments of life. A teen romance to the core, this is for those who are true romantics at heart.