A Walk to Remember (2002)

Director: Adam Shankman
Writer: Screenplay: Karen Janszen Novel: Nicholas Sparks
Cast: Mandy Moore, Shane West, Peter Coyote, Daryl Hannah,
Genre: Drama, Romance

A Walk to Remember is one of my long lasting personal favorites within its genre. It's one of the main reasons I got more than a soft eye for Mandy Moore to begin with, as her portrayal of Jaime Sullivan is close to perfect and her voice some of the reasons it elevates way above the usual in the genre. Based on Nicholas Sparks novel (the author also behind The Notebook), we get the story of a classic and not that original teen romance. A choir girl and the troubled rebel. Not exactly copyright material you say? That might very well be the case, but this movie is epic without taking that final step to secure its place along the 150 minute movies you usual say that about. It's a "Dawson's Creek" if "Dawson's Creek" was told in 101 minutes. It's filled with cliches, but once again I quote myself; There's a reason cliches become cliches. They deserve to be!

I'm not going to write a long review defending my view on a movie many probably find naive, banal or something along those lines. I'm just gonna tell you why I think it works without spoilers, and leave for yourself to make up your own mind if you'd like. If not? It's your loss.

Mandy Moore is 70 % of the movie. Not only is her portrayal close to perfect, her voice as beautiful as ever and her characters changes the most important and noticeable ones, but back then she was only 18 but already starting to prove how multi-talented she is. Should you by any chance not like Mandy Moore (shame on you), there's a greater chance you'll not enjoy this that much.

When it comes to Shane West I had my objections about his part early on, but soon enough he manages to prove the casting people right. He's got enough of a rebel within to really show, and the changes he makes as the walk goes is easily noticeable as well. I don't ever expect West to become a star, but he was a good choice for this part. Hannah and especially Coyote does well as the parents, and also the other high school youngsters manage to get their moments enough to make it quite the driven story.

So how do you elevate cliches from the usual movies? You make sure it's filled with heart, and if there's something you have to say about A Walk to Remember; it's the fact it's filled with heart. So filled it almost breaks on several occasions, but that's where the high ranking comes from. So much heart you can't help letting it in. So much talent in the lead, you can't stay indifferent. Young love has never been portrayed with so much belief in the heart.