Nights in Rodanthe

by Pamela Hruska

In life, the glimmering hope of finding a constant state of happiness with no looming clouds of uncertainty or growing pains seems to be a utopian quest that is just beyond normal reach. Growing up passes you through many stages and conquests, with each phase presenting its own unique challenges.

From awkward shyness, the pimple phase, junior high featuring the bullies, on to high school with cliques and then into university with establishing independence, you would hope that after all of that you would finally reach a resting period on getting through ‘tough times’. But then the mid 20’s hit, and you question what direction to go, love interests to pursue, or perhaps possible changes in career paths. Enter the 30s. Debating on children vs. career and love of dispensable income. If you chose children on your own adventure, that will keep you tied up for a while. Devoting time to the family and children for decades can leave you searching for yourself…AGAIN!

If anything, this movie highlights the fact that in any stage of life, you will not evade the debacle of trying to solidify a really firm idea of exactly what you want. Based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, this film captures the author’s style quite closely. It’s a love story, with well-defined characters which we all can relate to, presenting familiar situations, and conversations we’d all be able to complete sentences on.

At first, the predictability and the speed at which intimate conversations were happening between the two main characters left me questioning the progress of the film. It was cheesy to some extent, predictable, and just not quite as enchanting as some other stories out there. And yet with that said, there comes a turning point. The point where you realize that even though this may have been a predictable story, it’s effect was most potent in taking you on a raw journey to places that are completely common place – and it puts you, as the viewer, in the moment of experiencing yet another one of those phases or stages in life, where just when you thought you may be home free to enjoy and relish in it all, tough times knock at your door.

I appreciated the honesty of this movie. It’s disregard for trying to manipulate reality. Do not expect to be shocked at turns of events with this movie, but rather go there to experience the many emotions that are so true to our deepened selves. It is, undoubtedly, a chick flick. But it’s a great one.

4 / 5

  • Nights in Rodanthe
  • by Pamela Hruska
  • Published on September 25th, 2008
Movie:
Nights in Rodanthe
Director:
George C. Wolfe
Cast:
Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Christopher Meloni, Viola Davis
When:
26 September 2008
Rating:
4 / 5

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