Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
February 6, 2002
Teen romance `A Walk to Remember' shows faith can transform life
Nicholas Sparks' novel made into movie with positive Christian message
NEW YORK (CNS) — Opposites attract when a popular high school senior finds himself drawn to a seriously religious classmate his crowd has always scorned in "A Walk to Remember" (Warner Bros.).
The teen romance excels at conveying that having faith values can transform and animate life, filling it with the love of God — and a joy that is sometimes bittersweet.
Spirituality is of zero interest to shallow, handsome Landon (Shane West), who like the others in his in-crowd, looks down on the minister's daughter, Jamie (Mandy Moore), as a pathetic goody-two-shoes.
But Landon, who is being punished for having caused injury to a classmate during a cruel hoax, has to tutor after classes and appear in the school play — and Jamie is active in both. He turns to her for help in reading his lines and becomes intrigued by her serene sense of self and indifference to the taunts of others.
Despite her stern father's disapproval, Jamie agrees to a dinner date with Landon and a genuine friendship begins, one in which she inspires lackadaisical Landon to believe in himself — and someone bigger than himself. And he in turn challenges her to truly open herself to loving him, unaware she is concealing a secret that has kept her from forming close relationships. As their love for one another grows, they have a ripple effect on Landon's cynical classmates as well as their parents.
The movie is based on Nicolas Sparks' novel but has been updated from the 1950s to a contemporary North Carolina town. Directed by Adam Shankman, the movie is extremely sweet — some would say sappy. However, the emotions seem authentically earned, helped by West and Moore's laid-back, naturalistic style of acting. The visuals are pretty, although a swirling camera during the school play scene unduly calls attention to itself.
While the story is not rushed, it does follow a predictable path once a crucial plot juncture is reached. Indeed, the pacing is spotty at times, and a subplot involving Landon's estrangement from his remarried father is too aptly resolved. As Landon's mother, Daryl Hannah is listless and unconvincing. Peter Coyote as Jamie's Baptist-minister father fares better, although initially he is presented as a stereotypical figure before his humanity gets a chance to surface as the narrative progresses.
The young couple's tentative relationship, however, is nicely developed with no suggestion of premarital intimacy. Yet the movie is far from challenging and there is scant ambiguity. Jamie is earnest and righteous throughout, and Landon eventually embraces all that she stands for, which means the movie lacks desirable complexity and depth of character.
Nonetheless, it's a rare treat when a teen-age character is presented as proud of her religious convictions, eager to put her faith into practice and willing to accept whatever God sends her way. Jamie's sorely tested faith has a profound effect on Landon, bringing out the best in him and giving his life a new direction. Secular critics may feel obliged to dismiss the film as a preachy, three-hanky movie, but its spiritual dimension does shine through and it would be a fine choice for teen viewing, a movie with an unashamed, positive Christian message.
Because of some sexual references and fleeting crass language, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. - CNS
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