I saw this movie for the first time on TV, thought it was not worth the ticket when it was first released in movie theatres. I can now say I was wrong. "Nights in Rodanthe", based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, may sound predictable, too melodramatic, too tear-jerking, too romantic, too much, in every sense. Indeed, you cannot find anything except what you expect to find: romanticism and drama together, through dialogues and situations which you may have heard in thousands of romance/dramas.
However, I think some merits are to be found: first, the idea of portraying a love story between two mature people, which is not so common or easy nowadays. Richard Gere and Diane Lane have a very good, long-term chemistry, going back to "The Cotton club" and later to "Unfaithful", and they are still able to convey a deep communion of soul, showing with honesty how love can always give a chance, and how past experiences can shape passion and attraction in such a tender and delicate way. The two actors are very good in the way they manage not to turn romantic scenes and sometimes a melodramatic script, into a pathetic hodgepodge, but always keeping a strong dignity of interpretation, and a very professional attitude.
I generally praise American non-pretentious pictures: however simple, and unoriginal they prove good-quality products, thanks to a high professional attitude and a talented cast, which can often make a difference. In this case, also the enchanting settings, the music at the right moments, the good photography help make the final product credible and emotionally involving
