Just about everyone I know (guys included) list THE NOTEBOOK among the great tear-jerker romance movies of modern times; does THE CHOICE offer similar heart?
THE CHOICE is the latest in a long line of Nicholas Sparks’ tragic romance novels to be adapted for film. I swear Sparks is out to be the next Stephen King, with adaptations coming out of his ear’oles!
THE CHOICE introduces us to Gabby and Travis, two ‘say it like it is’ neighbours who take an instant dislike (yet intense liking) to eachother. A romance ensues, however their perfect existence is threatened when unforeseen disaster strikes.
I describe the characters as “say it like it is”….I’m being generous.
THE CHOICE lumps us with protagonists that are hard to like. While Teresa Palmer and Benjamin Walker do their best to carry this alienating script forward, ultimately their poorly written characters have too much attitude to be endearing (and when you’re struggling to like the main characters, you know the film isn’t gonna be great).
THE CHOICE is a pretty film, shot in stunning locations and with lovely use of light. The piano-heavy soundtrack is, at times, magical. Yet there is little else to applaud in this movie.
The irking dialogue comes across as forced, as though it’s trying to be snappy and cool when it’s just not.
The narrative arc is predictable and poorly executed, failing to fully maximise the drama of the story. While I was mildly entertained, I was at no point ‘caught up’ in what was happening on screen.
THE CHOICE is a mildly entertaining movie that will pass for a girls night out flick if your options are limited….but if the choice was up to me, I’d choose something else(!)
I rate it 5 stars
