Insight
It's a refreshing change to sit through a film that has no sex, no swearing and good family values. Parents who are looking for something far removed from the usual genre of teen flick can rest assured that there is nothing threatening in "A Walk To Remember". The other big plus for this film is Mandy Moore [last seen in "The Princess Diaries"] who fits the role of Jamie like the proverbial glove.
Director Adam Shankman explains, "I wanted young actors with whom teenagers could connect, I wanted to make them real because they're not playing archetypal kids here - they're playing fully developed, mutli - dimensional individuals who are flawed. One of the interesting elements in this film is that the best characters as well as the worst characters are all flawed. There is no perfection." While that may be the case with the characters it couldn't be further from the truth when it came to casting the two lead actors. "I was reading a teen magazine", says Shankman," because I read 850 teen magazines when I got this job [directing "A Walk To Remember"] so I could become familiar with the rising talent out there, and on the cover of one of them was Mandy Moore interviewing the top five guys she thought were Hollywood's most interesting. And Shane was one of the. I arranged to meet him for lunch and as we talked, I thought, holy moley, this is gold!"
Even better was having Mandy Moore in the lead role opposite West. Author Nicholas Sparks thought she fitted the character from his noel perfectly. "Mandy is a delightful and charming person, she brings the Jamie Sullivan that I wrote about to the camera. In movie lingo they call it "camera friendly" where the camera catches the spirit of the person - what they are inside. With Mandy, it's perfect casting." Not only that, West and Moore make a terrific team and produce a real chemistry on screen. "The first time I met Adam, we immediately bonded," she says. "He's amazing. He has a total passion for the story and pays close attention to every minor detail. He knows exactly how to get me into the character and helps me stay there." While there is definately a support cast in "A Walk To Remember", its hard to see past both West and Moore with the possible exception of Peter Coyote who plays Jamies minister father the Reverand Sullivan. "A Walk To Remember" will stand out like a wart on a nudists bum. In a plethera of hollywood blockbusters designed to feed viewers minds rather than have them feed themselves "A Walk To Remember" is strong enough to stand on its own two feet. The saving grace for "A Walk To Remember" is that this is a film which allows viewers to think for themselves and of course, it is so different from the current fare on offer at the film smorgasborg. Something I am sure many will find quite refreshing.
Film Footnotes
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore is a multitalented artist who has recently turned her hand to film. "A Walk To Remember" proved to be a real bonus for the multi platinum artist, Mandy is a big fan of author Nicholas Sparks. "A Walk To Remember" is one of her favourite books. That goes for her mum too! "My mom and I are big Nicholas Sparks fans. We had read "Message in a Bottle" and then I read "Walk to Remember" and made my mom read it. Even then before there was any talk of a film, I felt like there was a lot of Jamie in me." Viewers who tune into the programme "The Panel" will have seen Mandy charming the pants off everyone during her recent promotional tour to the land down under. Her bubbly enthusiasm is very infectious. Mandy Moore made her debut at age 15 with the CD "So Real" in 1999. It sold 3 million copies. In 2001 she released her second CD "Mandy Moore". Mandy writes and sings her pwn original songs. She host a show on MTV and is a spokesperson for Neutrogena.Mandy features on the recently released SONY soundtrack CD "A Walk To Remember". The Sony CD features Mandy Moore in four songs including "Cry".
The Story
Landon Carter's life is about to change. Involved in an initiation dare that goes horribly wrong, he is arrested by the police after an erratic, high speed car chase. His punishment is to do volunteer tutoring and participate in the Drama Club's forthcoming spring play. Landon [Shane West] finds himself in new territory. Even worse, he realizes that he is falling in love with leading lady Jamie [Mandy Moore]. You'd think he would be head over heels but Jamie presents some problems. She has long been the butt of jokes by Landon and his friends and to make matters worse her father is a preacher. As eash day passes, Landon finds himself drawn more and more to Jamie. She though, seems intent on not letting things get out of hand, always keeping at arms length. What is the problem! Landon is about to find out the terrible truth. It may just be the one thing that can turn him around and reshape his life forever.
The Verdict
"In an era of high tech cinema which uses every trick in the book to entertain "A Walk To Remember" is a trip back in time to when love was sweet, bad boy makes good and everyone was happy, including the audience. Those who are looking for a teen experience without the gutter jokes, without the gratuitous sex, without the filthy language will find solice in "A Walk To Remember". Moore and West make a great team in this tastefully sweet, entertaining, unique love story."
What The Critics Say
"A story about intelligent high school students that deals with first love sweetly but also seriously. It is also beautifully acted."
Octavio Roca SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
"An idealistic love story that brings out the latent 15-year-old romantic in everyone."
Carrie Rickey PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
"Far from perfect, but its heart is in the right place...innocent and well-meaning."
Dustin Putman THEMOVIEBOY.COM
"A flawed, guilty pleasure, especially if you don't mind your movies extra sweet."
Sue Pierman MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
"Gives those of us who are romantics hope that in Hollywood, at least, a perfect love still truly exists."
Matt Easterbrook MATT'S MOVIE REVIEWS
"A love story so sweet, sincere and positive that it sneaks past the defenses built up in this age of irony."
Roger Ebert CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
"The film follows their gentle courtship with such old-fashioned goodness that you can become a little misty."
Kim Morgan OREGONIAN
The Cast & Crew
Shane West
Mandy Moore
Al Thompson
Peter Coyote
Clayne Crawford
Lauren German
Daryl Hannah
Paz de la Huerta
Jonathan Parks Jordan
Matt Lutz
Charles E. Bailey
Mervyn Warren
Dean Mumford
Eric Smith
Ryan Sweeney
Robert C Treveiler
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Landon Rolands Carter
Jamie Elizabeth Sullivan
Eric Hunter
Rev Hegbert Sullivan
Dean
Belinda
Cynthia
Tracie
Walker
Clay Gephardt
Dean's Dad
Choir Director
Police Officer
Writer of show
Stand In
Mr Worth Carter
Directed by Adam Shankman
Novel by Nicholas Sparks
Screenplay by Karen Janszen
Run Time 97 minutes
Rated [AUST] PG
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