The Best of Me - C

Rated PG-13, 119 minutes
Wes's Grade: C

Sickly sweet and predictable, Sparks is at it again in “The Best of Me” with pretty people in (tragic) love

If you’re a fan of Nicholas Sparks – his books and accompanying movies – you know what to expect. Pretty people in love and some sort of tragedy befalls them, which is the basis of his new film “The Best of Me,” based on his bestselling novel of the same name. It should appeal most to Sparks’ large fan base, while the rest of us may roll our eyes. Years ago, Dawson and Amanda (James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan older/Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato younger) knew and fell for each other while they were in high school, where they had the time of their lives. Now, twenty years later, the two, by chance, find each other in the town they left and renew their relationship as adults. Directed and co-written by Michael Hoffman of “The Last Station” fame, the pleasant, predictable and overly sweet “The Best of Me” is typical Sparks, who also produces the film, and while the premise is “rekindling lost love” you can count on something bad and/or sad happening. The immensely attractive couple this time is Marsden and Monaghan, and told in flashback with their younger selves, played by an even prettier Bracey and Liberato. The flashbacks are slightly more compelling, only because Marsden and Australian actor Bracey bear absolutely no resemblance to each other at all (Bracey taller and leaner while Marsden shorter and stouter), and I had a hard time buying into Marsden’s older character: a strikingly handsome, intelligent man who's had absolutely no relationships with anyone for the last twenty years. Really? And there’s a point in the film where you know things are going just too good for something tragic not to happen, and it happens more than once in the film. I did like the charmingly gruff Gerald McRaney in a small part and Marsden and Monaghan in particular are likable though they can’t overcome the script’s penchant for tragedy. As a side note, the costume designer of the film, Ruth E. Carter, obviously adores backless dresses; and while the dresses themselves are fine, the lovely Liberato and Monaghan both wear them all through the film to the point they become noticeable (thanks to my astute, female moviegoing buddy Ellen for noticing that). If you’ve seen any of Sparks’ movies or read his books, you know to have tissues handy for the maudlin ending, as you’ll be crying right along with one of the film's central characters. “The Best of Me” isn’t the best of films, but Sparks knows his audience well and this should please them just fine. Go if you must, but know this is very much a date/chick flick if there ever was one.