2008 Woodie Awards
"Nights in Rodanthe" is a yawn
Johanna Marie Ferreira
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Arts
One thing romantic hearts could look forward to more than Nicholas Sparks best-selling novels are the films based on his novels. "A Walk to Remember," provoked joyous spirits with its innocent teenage romance, while "The Notebook" stirred even the coldest man to shed a tear or two. However, "Nights in Rodanthe", a new feature based on Sparks' new best seller, insults romance lovers and Sparks fans all over with its awkward dialogue and lack of chemistry.
One would assume with Richard Gere and Diane Lane on board, the film would be full of some hot sultry scenes; however, all viewers could look forward to were empty stares, awkward lines and lame so-called "sex" scenes.
Adapted by Ann Peacock and John Romano, and poorly directed by George C. Wolfe, this romantic drama lacked drama and sappy romance.
The film centers on a separated and unhappily married woman by the name of Adrienne (Diane Lane) who leaves her stubborn teenage daughter Amanda (Mae Whitman) and little son Danny (Charlie Tahan) with her ex-husband Jack (Christopher Meloni) for a few days while she looks after her best friend Jean's (Viola Davis) Inn, while she's away on business. Adrienne soon meets Paul Flanner (Richard Gere), a doctor who comes to Rodanthe to clear his head and take care of some unfinished business before heading out to seek his son Mark (James Franco).
Lane and Gere engage in an innocent friendship that is conceived by small talk and venting of their life frustrations and failed relationships. A massive hurricane soon attacks the area, arousing inner sentiments between the two and quickly leading into romantic involvement.
However, unlike "The Notebook," after the rain storm and intense confrontation, the two exchange safe kisses which are not followed by a passionate and largely desired sex scene. The dialogue between Lane and Gere is so awkward and slow it makes viewers uncomfortable just watching them. The lack of sensuality between them makes one wonder where all that chemistry went from the last two films the pair acted in together like, "The Cotton Club", and the ever so erotic "Unfaithful."
The film even lacks the necessary background music to keep a boring film going. Every time a film lacks in one area they normally compensate in another, but that is clearly not the case here. The only action throughout the entire movie was a scene in which Gere and Lane are throwing canned foods into a garbage while under the influence and playing jazz blues. In addition, there is a touching scene between Adrienne and her teenage daughter, which may spring some tears in the easily vulnerable romantic comedy sucker. Aside from that the film puts anyone else to sleep. A highly disappointing film based on an extremely well-written novel. What a shame.
One would assume with Richard Gere and Diane Lane on board, the film would be full of some hot sultry scenes; however, all viewers could look forward to were empty stares, awkward lines and lame so-called "sex" scenes.
Adapted by Ann Peacock and John Romano, and poorly directed by George C. Wolfe, this romantic drama lacked drama and sappy romance.
The film centers on a separated and unhappily married woman by the name of Adrienne (Diane Lane) who leaves her stubborn teenage daughter Amanda (Mae Whitman) and little son Danny (Charlie Tahan) with her ex-husband Jack (Christopher Meloni) for a few days while she looks after her best friend Jean's (Viola Davis) Inn, while she's away on business. Adrienne soon meets Paul Flanner (Richard Gere), a doctor who comes to Rodanthe to clear his head and take care of some unfinished business before heading out to seek his son Mark (James Franco).
Lane and Gere engage in an innocent friendship that is conceived by small talk and venting of their life frustrations and failed relationships. A massive hurricane soon attacks the area, arousing inner sentiments between the two and quickly leading into romantic involvement.
However, unlike "The Notebook," after the rain storm and intense confrontation, the two exchange safe kisses which are not followed by a passionate and largely desired sex scene. The dialogue between Lane and Gere is so awkward and slow it makes viewers uncomfortable just watching them. The lack of sensuality between them makes one wonder where all that chemistry went from the last two films the pair acted in together like, "The Cotton Club", and the ever so erotic "Unfaithful."
The film even lacks the necessary background music to keep a boring film going. Every time a film lacks in one area they normally compensate in another, but that is clearly not the case here. The only action throughout the entire movie was a scene in which Gere and Lane are throwing canned foods into a garbage while under the influence and playing jazz blues. In addition, there is a touching scene between Adrienne and her teenage daughter, which may spring some tears in the easily vulnerable romantic comedy sucker. Aside from that the film puts anyone else to sleep. A highly disappointing film based on an extremely well-written novel. What a shame.
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