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"She was, in other words, the kind of girl who made the rest of us look bad, and whenever she glanced my way, I couldn't help but feel guilty, even though I hadn't done anything wrong."
There exist certain people who restore our faith in humanity and the existence of a superior being, especially during dark times. They leave us baffled at how a person can be so kind and giving, even letting our inner skepticism to question their authenticity.
Jamie Sullivan was such a person. She was someone who you know had been especially sent, and hence, got called back too soon.
Movie Name - A Walk to Remember (2002)
Directed by - Adam Shankman
Based on - Nicholas Sparks’s “A Walk to Remember” (1999)
Starring - Shane West, Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote, Daryl Hannah
Duration - 1h 42min
Genre - Romance, Drama
Language - English
Plot (Spoiler Alert!)
Set in the 1990’s, the plot revolves around Landon Carter (Shane West), a 17-year-old high school senior. Although he’s a popular kid and is best friends with Eric Hunter (Al Thompson), one of the most popular kids in school, Landon is aided by issues at home, most noticeably the absence of his father in his life.
Reclusive by nature, Landon still manages to rise up the hierarchy and establish his popularity at the top.
A reluctant dance date with Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore), an oddball by Landon’s perspective, steers the story to unanticipated territory. While Landon is a charismatic, good-looking chap and the student body president, Jamie is religious by nature, carrying a Bible with her at all times and adorned in an oversized, dull sweater.
But when the contrasting worlds of these two people collide, new experiences and perspectives surface. Inevitably, the difference in their hierarchy makes its way to the foreground, but it isn’t the only thing that acts as a hindrance to their relationship. As Landon learns about Jamie’s leukemia, the story evolves into something simple yet profound, real yet surreal.
Inspiration
Nicholas Sparks took inspiration for the original novel from his sister, Danielle Sparks Lewis, who tragically died of cancer later in June 2000. A lot of the fundamental characteristics of Jamie Sullivan were borrowed from real life experiences of his sister, the popularity or rather the lack of it, the Bible-carrying and the staple oversized sweater being most prominent.
In addition, just like Landon, Danielle’s husband proposed marriage to her despite her sickness.
In every possible way, ‘A Walk to Remember’ was an advance tribute to the life and times of Nicholas Sparks’ sister. In his eulogy, Sparks said, “...I suppose I wrote this novel not only so that you could get to know my sister, but so that you would know what a wonderful thing it was that her husband once did for her.”
Adaptation
While adapting the original novel, Nicholas Sparks and the producers made numerous changes to elevate the film version. They chose to change the setting from the 1950s to the 1990s because they were concerned that a movie set in the 1950s would not appeal to teenagers.
Landon's pranks and conduct are harsher than in the novel in an attempt to make the plot more contemporary. In the novel, Hegbert developed a Christmas play that depicted his struggles as a father. Due to time limits, this subplot was unable to be included in the film.
A key distinction is that, unlike in the picture, it is unclear if Jamie died or merely vanished into the shadow world at the end of the novel. This offers considerably more closure for viewers as well as the characters in the film.
While diseases have come to be romanticized on various occasions in contemporary cinema, it is important to remember that this is what started it all. Despite all romantic cliches, nothing defines ‘happy-sad romance’ better than ‘A Walk to Remember’!
Critical Reception
Released on 25th January, 2002, ‘A Walk to Remember’ grossed $47.5 million against a budget of $11.8 million. Though a commercial success, the film generally received negative reviews.
Entertainment Weekly renamed the movie "A Walk to Forget". Time magazine dubbed it one of the ten worst girl films ever created in 2010. "If you can't see everything in this film coming from a mile away, then you really need to get out more," commented Michael O'Sullivan of The Washington Post.
The film has a 27 percent approval rating with an average rating of 4.1/10 on Rotten Tomatoes.
Conversely, Us Weekly named it one of the top 30 romantic films of all time. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, lauded Moore and West for their "quietly convincing" acting performances.
The film had a more positive response from the general public, notably from the Christian community, who praised the film's moral ideals; as one critic from Christianity Today put it, "the main character is portrayed as a Christian without being psychopathic or holier-than-thou."
Mandy Moore won the Best Breakthrough Female Performance at the MTV Movie Awards as well as the Choice Movie: Breakout Actress at the Teen Choice Awards. Along with Shane West, they also bagged the Choice Movie: Chemistry at the Teen Choice Awards.
Famous Quotes
“But our love... It's like the wind. I can't see it, but I can feel it.”
“you know the real reason why you're scared? It's ‘cause you wanna be with me too.”
“It was, I remembered thinking, the most difficult walk anyone ever had to make. In every way, a walk to remember.”
“Honey, if I kept you too close it's because I wanted to keep you longer.”
“I'm sorry she never got her miracle.
She did get her miracle, Landon, her miracle was you.”
The Bottom Line
“I told you not to fall in love with me.”
Well, as viewers, it’s easy to understand how Jamie’s aforementioned disclaimer was worthless. Poor Landon had as little choice to fall head over heels for her as you will once you watch this movie!
My Ratings for the movie - 4 on 5
Stream online on Amazon Prime Video - A Walk to Remember
Written By - Kristi Mazumdar
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