| Directed by: | Adam Shankman |
| Written by: | Karen Janszen |
| Starring: | Shane West, Mandy Moore, Al Thompson, Peter Coyote, Daryl Hannah |
| Released: | June 27, 2002 |
| Grade: | B- |
Opposites attract. Landon Carter (West) is a rebel without a cause. After daring a friend to jump from a great height into a lake, his life is about to change focus. The friend ends up in hospital and Landon is severely disciplined by his school principal. He is asked to perform janitorial duties after school, tutor disadvatanged children on Saturdays and take part in the school play. Understandably, he’s not happy.
That is until he meets Jamie Sullivan (Moore), the daughter of the parish priest. Jamie’s a shy quiet girl who always dresses daggily, carries around her bible and is constantly ridiculed by people at school (Landon included). Jamie’s also performing in the play and in rehersing lines together, an amazing attraction develops.
Their relationship blossoms. And as is the message in most every film of this genre, love with triumph over adversity. Landon loses many of his friends, Jamie gets scornful looks from her father but it only makes the love between them even stronger. Just when you think everything is perfect and nothing can come between them, one final setback will test their faith in god and each other...
Mandy Moore’s crossover from singing to acting is much more impressive than the pathetic Brittany Spears in Crossroads. Moore shows talent and doesn’t rely on just her good looks to satisfy the audience. It remains to be seen whether she has the ability to extend herself beyond this simple material but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Shane West is starting to gather attention himself with this his best performance to date.
Like the last film from director Adam Shankman, The Wedding Planner, don’t expect anything fresh. Those a tad emotional might like to take a few tissues but those not might require a few sedatives. A teen drama that gets a little too much “preaching”.