Emma Hutchins
Features Editor
In the past couple of weeks, mini-feeds have been flooded with favorite quotes and criticisms of the new Nicholas Sparks adapted movie, Dear John. The build up of the film, which recently surpassed James Cameron’s Avatar, has rubbed the student body in different ways.
The expectation surrounding Dear John could be a factor as to why so many students were inclined to see the film. “I think the hype is a bit much, but it’s what actually made me want to see it, so it’s effective,” junior Stephanie Toth said. The “hype” could be attributed to the NCHS Media Center’s advertising of the book Dear John on its website, student countdowns, and constant teasers and trailers.
But Stephanie admits the highly publicized nature of the movie has left her wondering about its actual quality. “My feelings are kind of mixed. From what everyone’s saying it’s supposed to be the next Jesus, but then it’s probably going to be a total letdown,” Stephanie said.
Junior Sarah Singh had similar reservations about seeing Dear John, but was pleasantly surprised by the acting and drama. “I didn’t think the acting would be good, but it was convincing and I found the relationship between the father and son especially touching,” Sarah said.
But there were also many students and movie-goers who were disappointed with the movie. “I was expecting it to be much better because it was done by Nicholas Sparks, the author of The Notebook,” said sophomore Maggie O’Rourke. “But I was disappointed by Amanda Seyfried, and it was a little hard for me to connect to because I don’t know someone in the army.”
Junior Keri Lloyd also found the movie less satisfying than she had hoped. “The second half of the movie sucked, and I especially didn’t like the end,” she said. “The acting just wasn’t that convincing.”
While some were unimpressed with the movie, others found it emotionally moving and a worthwhile experience. “Overall it was sad, and the last half hour was dramatic – people in the theater could not stop crying,” Sarah said.
However, there are students who think Dear John will be an immediate box office success, with all the staples of a typical chick flick. “I don’t know much about the movie, but it seems very girly,” junior Brian Khzouz said. “It’s one of those kinds of movies about falling in love pretty quickly…and then there’s some drama — in this case concerning the army and staying in long distance relationships and such.”
