Well played, Nicholas Sparks.The man known for reducing readers to weeping messes with his unapologetically romantic novels -- which are then adapted into movies, which in turn reduce moviegoers into weeping messes (see 'The Notebook' and 'Message in a Bottle' for examples) -- seems to have done it again with 'Dear John.'
If the brand new trailer -- which, ahem, can be viewed exclusively on Moviefone -- is any indication, the adaptation of Sparks' 2006 novel just might be the next 'Notebook.' It's directed by 'Cider House Rules' Oscar nominee Lasse Hallstrom, and casts two couldn't-be-hotter-right-now young actors, Channing Tatum ('G.I. Joe') and Amanda Seyfried ('Mama Mia'), as star-crossed lovers John and Savannah, who meet and quickly fall for each other one spring while John is on leave from the Army and Savannah is on spring break from college.
'Dear John' poster premiere
Of course, they don't live happily ever after just yet. Their love is tested when John reenlists in the Army after 9/11 and their only means of communication is a series of letters that Savannah always begins with (you guessed it) "Dear John." We won't spoil the plot by going into any further details, but let's just say a lot of sad AND uplifting stuff happens thereafter. Oh yeah, and we dare you not to get at least a couple chills when Snow Patrol's 'Set the Fire to the Third Bar' kicks in at the end of the trailer.
The movie hits theaters on Feb. 5, 2010 -- just in case all you couples out there are looking for an epic romance/good cry for Valentine's Day.
Reader Comments (30)
Carmen at 5:11PM on Oct 15th 2009
I love Nicholas Sparks books. Dear John is a great Love story and this movie looks great! Channing Tatum is a great actor to play John. ( beside he is hot )I can not wait to see this movie! :)
Mallory at 11:59AM on Oct 16th 2009
I read the book and cannot wait to see the movie!
(Read the book first though. There's plenty of time until the movie)
LouLou at 4:15PM on Oct 16th 2009
I loved the book. I hope the movie is just as good.
Laura at 5:27PM on Oct 16th 2009
I read the book when it first came out. Can't wait to see the movie!
Jen at 5:25PM on Oct 16th 2009
Love his books and they always make me cry!! I hope they keep the movie very close to the book. It can be disapointing if they stray to far.Can't wait to see it.
Claire at 5:51PM on Oct 16th 2009
I'm excited to see this movie but I want to read the book first. My fiance enlisted in the Marines and is leaving for boot camp in two weeks so this movie is going to be hard to watch but hopefully will help me deal. I'm hoping I'll be able to see it with him but I'll probably have to go alone :(
Angie at 7:15PM on Oct 16th 2009
Claire,
While your boyfriend is at boot camp don't do anything alone. That's the only way you'll get through being apart. Always be with family and friends. See if there are other loved ones at home in your area while their loved ones are serving.
I'm not sure how the Marines do it but the Army got a 2 week break during Christmas even if its during boot camp.
Don't sit home and worry about him. He'll be way too busy to be worring about home. He'll be hating life while he's there and he'll be thinking of you. When my husband and I were apart we would try to write everyday. That truly did help. God Bless and take care. From a Army vet and Army wife.
Debi Drecksler at 9:14PM on Oct 16th 2009
We will keep him in our prayers.
Katie at 11:00PM on Oct 16th 2009
where do you live? i'll go see it with you.
Katie at 11:03PM on Oct 16th 2009
whatever you do DON'T go alone. i will pray for your husband as he is gone
Ondway at 2:19AM on Oct 17th 2009
Claire, congratulations on your upcoming marriage. Thank your fiance and you for becoming a part of a huge Military Family. We welcome you with open arms. It's tough at first, but that is why you will have support from some very wonderful people. Please drop me a line at ondway@aol.com My husband is a retired helicopter pilot and works back with the Apaches for the Dept. of the Army. Our jobs do not end at retirement. We will always be here for you and all other spouses and of course our troops. I was born when my Dad was in the Military. This is the only life I know. You can find me on FB under that email address. God Bless. Ann
Theresa at 6:45PM on Oct 16th 2009
I hope the DVD offers an alternate ending to the one they had in the book.... It was a great story ... but sad... I tried to imagine how it might have ended differently but I couldn't ...
Darshini at 7:05PM on Oct 16th 2009
I know I am going to love this movie already! Channing Tatum is so hot and this movie is such a romantic one...I'm a sucker for romance :)
cange at 7:04PM on Oct 16th 2009
Is there a WORSE ACTOR ALIVE than Channing Tatum?
i love antonio at 9:44PM on Oct 16th 2009
uh, Robert Pattinson?
Linda Stephens at 7:21PM on Oct 16th 2009
This is going to be a great movie. Nicholas Sparks is an awesome writer. I have read all of his books; I am now reading The Last Song. Dear John is a great book and I believe this will be a great movie.
Michelle at 7:21PM on Oct 16th 2009
This book was amazing!
Melissa at 8:02PM on Oct 16th 2009
He is absolutely YUMMY!
Virginia at 8:36PM on Oct 16th 2009
Nicholas Sparks is the best writer of this century. He has such a sensitive mind for inter-personal relationships.I read the book and loved it. Hope the movie does justice. The trailer looks amazing and caused me to write the date the movie is coming to theaters. There won't be a dry eye in the theaters.
NICKOLE at 9:23PM on Oct 16th 2009
always loved that song, goes perfectly with the movie