The Vow was this year’s go-to film for couples and groups of single ladies looking for a romantic escape on the weekend prior to Valentine’s Day. The film garnered a total of over $41 million at the box office during its opening weekend and was received to lukewarm reviews from viewers and critics alike.
Viewers entered the theaters with napkins in hand, waiting for the tear jerking moments, which to their surprise, never really came.
Fans have been awaiting the film’s release since its trailer came out last summer.
The film was based on the book The Vow: The Kim and Krickitt Carpenter Story, a book based on a married couple’s tragic car accident which left the wife with severe memory loss, as her spouse fought to win her love all over again.
The message of lost love is resonant with almost anyone that has encountered love at one point in their lives. Surprisingly, after a strong beginning the storyline began to lose speed and fell flat.
Although the film was based on an inspiring story, the acting was not up to par and left the viewer feeling empty. The film’s cast consists of two alumni of this generations’ most popular romantic films like The Notebook and Dear John, both based on books by romance king Nicholas Sparks. Rachel McAdams was cast as Paige, the leading lady, accompanied by Channing Tatum as Leo, Paige’s dedicated, loving spouse.
McAdams is known for her transparent acting, charm and easy way of convincing the audiences with whichever role she portrays. Tatum’s acting is often overshadowed by his masculine appearance and seemed a bit emotionless as Leo at times. But this film is proof that although his acting still needs maturing, Tatum is well on his way to becoming a serious actor that viewers can enjoy past his physical appearance.
One of the film’s weakest points was that in its rush to get through the accident and lead us into the rekindling of their love, we never truly get to know Leo and Paige before the the fact. We immediately get thrust into the dilemma without any emotional attachment to the couple’s relationship.
As the movie progresses we learn a bit more about the couple, seeing footage of how they met, their marriage and even a scene in which the couple can’t help but express their love for each other on the floor of Paige’s art studio, but none were exactly memorable.
Many of the character’s reactions post-accident seemed a bit unnatural and forced, none of which symbolize a husband who truly knew his wife’s likes and dislikes. It’s as if the characters are moving in slow motion, lacking the ability to react well during troubling situations. Toward the end there is a twist of events that causes the movie to hurry into it’s lackluster, and almost confusing finale. At this point, any viewer who came ready to leave with wet, red eyes knew disappointment was looming by movie’s end.
If there is one thing that viewers can learn from this movie is that sometimes, the past is best left alone.