A Walk to Remember Review

 This is a wonderful movie about teen romance and not one that you have to worry about young people watching.  The first time I watched it I was undergoing chemo and radiation so a few friends were a bit reluctant for me to see it.  My sister loaned me the DVD and I watched it by myself and was in tears. I still cry every time I watch it even though I know what is going to happen.

At the beginning of the movie you see Landon (Shane West) and some of his friends being rowdy and a result a boy gets hospitalized.  You think to yourself: "Not another rough and rowdy picture about teenagers gone crazy."  But you pick up the case, re-read the description and think there has to be something more so you continue watching.  Once again, a movie that teaches you, "You can't judge a book by it's cover."  This movie conveys the ideology that opposites do attract and if given a second chance many people can be reformed.  Sometimes things happen when you least expect them and sometimes you see a couple together that you wouldn't imagine being together.  Such is the case with Jamie and Landon. 

Landon is given community service for being a part of the mishap and one of his services entails him participating in a school play with none other than the preacher's daughter, Jamie, played by Mandy Moore.  These two young people have grown up together.  They have been in classes with each other for years and one day on the school bus Landon proceeds to tell Jamie who he thinks she is and yet as Jamie points out to Landon: "You don't know me." 

Jamie agrees to help Landon learn his lines.  You know what happens--the love story emerges.  But Jamie begs Landon not to fall in love with her.  Now at first you think that's a little arrogant--does she really believe she is too good for him?  As the movie continues it is time to pull out the hankies.  One scene after another tells you that peer pressure and lifestyles cannot keep love out.  Landon slowly starts to discover that there is something special about Jamie.  There is more to her than the plain-Jane look, out-of-date clothes; especially the sweater and her peculiarities.  Jamie starts to realize that there is a sort of tenderness and compassion under Landon's heart of stone.  The soft and tender kiss is so beautiful and you hope and pray that Landon doesn't take it too far and hurt Jamie.  You want the message to be sent out that "true love waits."

A tearjerking moment is when Landon finds out Jamie has cancer.  I love it when he and his friend build the huge telescope and when he gives her the new sweater.  In the movie Jamie keeps a journal of quotes.  After I watched that movie I also began keeping one.

Jamie's father is the preacher played by Peter Coyote.  He is the proverbial preacher and overbearing father.  Whether it's because he has high expectations for his daughter or he is just overprotective because she is sick.  He has a good role and you admire him for being the father that he is.  Darryl Hannah has a few minor roles in the movie as she plays Landon's mother.  I also love the father/son story line between Landon and his father.  His father is a physician and at some point he begs his father to save the love of his life.  Another reason to reach for a hanky.

For those who know what a wonderful singer Mandy Moore is you won't be disappointed.  During the play she performs "Only Hope" and a remarkable performance it is.  The play reminds me of Olivia Newton John's transformation in Grease.   Remember, she is the plain-Jane and then comes out looking hot when she performs "You're The One That I Want" at the school carnival.  Well, that is what happens in A Walk To Remember.  Throughout the movie Jamie is depicted as a rather homely girl and then when she takes the stage the night of the play she is absolutely stunning. 

The love songs in the movie were really good--enough to make me go out and buy the soundtrack.  I also have the book.  Hey!  I can start reading that while I wait for my book from Amazon. 

If you want to see what happens with Landon and Jamie then watch the movie.  It will be one to remember.  You'll applaud the innocence of young love and you'll cry because there is nothing else to do.  You will be pleading for more time.  You will find yourself becoming one with these characters because their lives are so common.  We know the rebel rouser.  We know the cancer patient.  We have all asked God why do bad things happen to good people.  Well, this movie will give you some insight into that question--so lives can be changed one day at a time.

Because I am a cancer survivor I know the depths that people will go to save their loved ones and friends I was on the receiving end of that love and compassion.  People do things out of the ordinary when they think it's the last time.  This movie taught me how short life really is and to never underestimate the power of love.