| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Julianne Hough | ... | ||
| Irene Ziegler | ... | ||
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Jon Kohler | ... |
Bus Station Clerk
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| Tim Parati | ... |
Bus Station Worker
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| David Lyons | ... | ||
| Josh Duhamel | ... | ||
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Giulia Pagano | ... |
Pushy Bus Woman
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Juan Piedrahita | ... |
Jr. Detective Ramirez
(as Juan Carlos Piedrahita)
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| Red West | ... | ||
| Noah Lomax | ... | ||
| Mimi Kirkland | ... | ||
| Robin Mullins | ... | ||
| Jasper Grey | ... |
Bus Boy
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Tora Hallström | ... |
Ivan's Waitress
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Wendy Wilmot | ... |
Realtor
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When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family. But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and ... Written by Nicholas Sparks
This story line had so much potential with domestic abuse, redemption, love, family, but the screen writers TOTALLY missed the mark - Josh Duhamel does a decent job - not the vacuous role he is usually placed in and pulls off more than a pretty face here - David Lyons as the alcoholic Detective Tiernny and abusive husband of Hough shined - he seems made for bad guy roles - Julianne Hough - I think the girl has some potential as actor given a more meaty role but as stated this was painfully drawn out with idyllic lazy southern settings where IMPOSSIBLY in a town of 2000 no one questions the appearance of a newcomer and in fact embraces her without question (being from the south - that "ain't" how we operate - if you are in town for more than 48 hours we know everything about you if we have to pry it out with a velvet crowbar), impossible circumstances, clichés enough to fill a NY phone book. Oh how I wish they'd made the most of this story line.
All of this being said - the last 40 minutes was great and the ending? TOTALLY unexpected - right out of left field - loved it - knowing what I know now I would watch the first 20 minutes to get the lay of the land and characters, then skip to 108 and watch to the end. Sadly I cannot give this more than a 3 thanks to an awful job by the screen writers.