The Best Of Me, film review: Terminally mawkish tearjerker is hard to stomach
(12A) Michael Hoffman, 118 mins Starring: Michelle Monaghan, Liana Liberato, James Marsden
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Much of the dialogue for this terminally mawkish tearjerker sounds as if it has been taken directly from a Dolly Parton or Whitney Houston song. "I will always love you" or "You are the very best of me" are what passes for small talk when the characters here aren't otherwise engaged in trying to see their destiny in the stars.
The film (adapted from a novel by Nicholas Sparks of Dear John notoriety) is yet another tale of teenage sweethearts denied a life of romantic bliss by the big, bad adult world. Dawson Cole (Luke Bracey) is a good kid from a white-trash southern background. Bullied and abused by his dad, he finds shelter with a curmudgeonly but kind-hearted widower, Tuck (Gerald McRaney).
His love affair with wealthy, middle-class Amanda (Liana Liberato) blossoms but "fate" (in the shape of nasty parents and wildly improbable plot twists) intervenes. The film is told in flashback after Dawson (played as a middle-aged man by James Marsden) and Amanda (Michelle Monaghan) meet again years later.
The Best Of Me is well enough crafted and acted but has so much gooey mush at its core that it becomes increasingly hard to stomach.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments