Swept up in a romance that’s enough to make you believe in love at first sight, John and Savannah battle distance, war and more than one broken promise but the question remains – can love conquer all?
It’s the spring of 2001. John (Channing Tatum) a handsome Army Special Forces enlistee is on two weeks leave when he meets Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), an ethereal beauty from South Carolina. The pair strike up conversation after John, ever the gentleman, dives off a pier to rescue Savannah’s fallen purse. John is smitten, Savannah is swooning, and in a matter of days they’re in love.
Unbelievable? Maybe. But who doesn’t in their heart of hearts believe in the romance of love at first sight? “For a lot of people it’s a fairy tale to fall in love instantly,” Seyfried tells Screencrave.com. “But it makes sense, because these two characters are at a point in their lives where they aren’t looking for anything. They have their careers, he’s a soldier, she’s a student. And they’re just on a break and they meet – but they have nothing holding them back from diving into something,” she says.
While the young lovers come from vastly different backgrounds – John has been bought up by his reclusive coin collecting father while Savannah has enjoyed life in the lap of luxury – the love they share is destined to face tragedy. After diving into love headfirst the couple soon have to deal with life apart.
Spring break is over and Savannah must return to college while John returns to serve out his final 12 months in the army. The pair promise to keep in touch, writing letters to each other for the year that they’re apart.
In a tragic twist, the events of September 11 unfold and John is presented with a choice: to continue to serve his country or return to his love, Savannah. Heartbroken, Savannah tells John to do whatever he feels is right. John re-enlists. And continues to re-enlist in a heartbreaking tale that just goes to show there’s no such thing as a happy ever after.
If it sounds all too melodramatic, don’t panic. The acting from Seyfried and Tatum is subtle and you’re left to form your own opinions as events unfold. “This is more of the quiet type of love film with a lot of sitting and talking,” Tatum tells Collider.com “You’re sitting on a beach, looking into a real person’s eyes and talking about real things. Real emotions, great writing and great directing. It was so easy to make the film,” he says.
Seyfried agrees. “We don’t want to manipulate the audience. Lassam wanted it to be ground breaking, real, and as genuine as possible. And Channing and I were like ‘yeah, we do too.’ So it wasn’t hard to stay away from the melodrama,” she says. Far and above the most tear-jerking moments of the film are those shared by John and his father, played by the always-outstanding Richard Jenkins. “Richard is fantastic. You can tap him for anything. I really owe that hospital scene to him,” says Tatum.
As for happy endings, it’s hard to judge. If you’re looking for a fairy-tale finish to what was a magical love story you’re out of luck. But if you’re happy with a bittersweet ending to a romantic drama that’s got more than its fair share of ‘aw’ moments then Dear John will not disappoint.
Fast facts
Coined by American troops during World War II, a ‘Dear John’ letter is a letter written to a husband or boyfriend to inform him their relationship is over. It’s believed that a number of soldiers received Dear John letters during the war after their wives of girlfriends decided to find a new man rather than wait for them to return.
Box office smash
Dear John rocked the box office, debuting as number 1 during its opening weekend. The movie made a reported $30,468,614, knocking Avatar out of first place after seven weekends at the top. The film was the second highest debut for a film opening on a Super Bowl weekend and is reportedly holds the best debut for a film based on a Nicholas Sparks novel.
