Online only: Dear John fizzles instead of smolders

By Kait Chura     2/11/10 6:00pm

The combination of Nicholas Sparks' (A Walk to Remember) writing and Channing Tatum's (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) good looks should make Dear John the perfect Valentines Day crowd pleaser. However, the movie may not be for everyone - thoughit should placate the Jersey Shore crowd.After 2004's The Notebook became the romantic movie for Gen Y, Sparks has proven his books have enormous potential at the box office. Of course, any new film with Sparks' name attached also causes numerous T-shirt Web sites to begin conceptualizing their next kitschy "Ladies, I cried during The Notebook" design.

Unsurprisingly,Dear Johnseeks to capitalize on that popularity - effectively swapping Tatum with Ryan Gosling's character - but ultimately fails to achieve the same degree of success.Ultimately, Dear John is no Notebook, but not for lack of plot. Rather, the fault lies in the fizzling chemistry between Tatum and co-star Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!).

Unlike its forerunner,The Notebook, Dear John takes place entirely in modern day. Tatum plays John Tyree, a U.S. soldier who meets Savannah Curtis (Seyfried) while on a two-week leave from the army. The two fall in love, planning to be together once John returns from his tour of duty in one year.

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While apart, the couple writes letters to each other and becoming emotionally closer, even as Tyree is serving thousands of miles away. But days before their reunion, the incidents of Sept. 11 drasticallychange their lives. John reenlists with his unit and goes to Afghanistan, Savannah writes him a break-up letter, and the two cease communications.

Because Savannah's and John's relationship is at the center of the film, it is imperative that their chemistry be palpable. Tatum provides a sympathetic portrait of John, a character who has had a tough life until he meets Savannah. The actor fully immerses himself into the role, eschewing his Hollywood glamor and truly becoming a wounded soldier with a string of bad luck.

Once Seyfried enters the frame, however, the audience will be jarred back into remembering that these are actors, not real people. For all Tatum's efforts, Seyfried disappoints, delivering instead an empty and unengaging performance. In fact, it's almost painful to watch Seyfried "in love." Fortunately, since the story revolves primarily around John, his interaction with other supporting characters saves the plot.

One such supporting character, Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), deserves accolades for his performance as John's father. Jenkins emphatically takes on the role of the autistic coin collector who, because of his disease, loses all connections with John. The two lack the typical father-son bond, and their relative dysfunction is engrossing. As the movie progresses, it becomes apparent that the lack of connection is itself the glue that keeps them together. Jenkins' powerful supporting role is proof that films can be saved by their costars.

And, solely because of these two characters, Dear John becomes an emotionally provocative movie that is easy for audiences to enjoy. Jenkins' performance is admirable and of much higher quality than those found in most other films targeted at the intended audience, yet does not feel out of place. Instead, average filmgoers might find themselves relishing the interaction between John and his father, given the lack of chemistry between John and Savannah.

Overall, Dear John delivers exactly what is expected of a Nicholas Sparks adaptation. While it may not have Notebook-worthy chemistry between the leads, it possesses two strong acting performances. Perhaps the film won't make such a dent in BustedTees' merchandise, and it probably won't win MTV's prestigious "Best Kiss" award, but it ultimately redeems itself, making the $8 ticket price worth the cost.

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