Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Channing Tatum | ... | John Tyree | |
Amanda Seyfried | ... | Savannah Curtis | |
Richard Jenkins | ... | Mr. Tyree | |
Henry Thomas | ... | Tim | |
D.J. Cotrona | ... | Noodles | |
Cullen Moss | ... | Rooster (Dan Rooney) | |
Gavin McCulley | ... | Starks | |
![]() |
Jose Lucena Jr. | ... | Berry (as Jose Lucena) |
Keith D. Robinson | ... | Captain Stone (as Keith Robinson) | |
Scott Porter | ... | Randy | |
Leslea Fisher | ... | Susan | |
William Howard | ... | Daniels | |
David Andrews | ... | Mr. Curtis | |
Mary Rachel Quinn | ... | Mrs. Curtis (as Mary Rachel Dudley) | |
![]() |
Bryce Hayes | ... | Yellow Shirt |
South Carolina US Army Special operations soldier John is on summer leave from his German base, visiting his widowed father. Being gallant on the pier, he befriends college student Savannah, a college student, and her buddies, a terminal father and his angelic son. John falls in love with Savannah, who diagnoses his beloved, gentle but weird father as mildly autistic. He plans not to sign up again, but 9/11 changes that, and she won't wait idly while their friends desperately need help. Written by KGF Vissers
I'll try to make this short and sweet, like the two weeks the two characters spent together before all hell broke loose:
If you read the book, lower your expectations. If you haven't read the book,...well, you can raise your expectations just a bit higher.
I was one of those girls who squealed every time they saw a TV spot, or watched the trailer on YouTube a million times. I bawled my eyes out when I read the book- both times I read it. Last night, I went to see the movie knowing full well that it wasn't going to live up to the book. Unfortunately, I was right.
What made 'Dear John' different from all the other love stories we've read and seen was taken away in the movie. I don't know how I would have understood what was going on in the movie if I hadn't read the book. Scenes were rushed (especially the two weeks where the two main characters fall in love), and characters weren't well developed at all. Heck, one of the main characters barely resembles (both appearance- and personality-wise) the character in the book. *cough*Savannah Lynn Curtis*cough*.
That said, there were a couple of scenes where the dialogue was sweet and funny. I also enjoyed the music, but that may be because I'm a huge fan of acoustic. Also, the scenery was absolutely beautiful. Not to mention Channing Tatum's body (pretty much the only thing worth my money).
As far as acting goes, Channing Tatum was the stronger one in this film. While I'm still personally neutral about my opinion on Amanda Seyfried, I found she's done better. She may be better off with comedy or musicals. And Richard Jenkins was lovable, as always.
If you've read the book, don't expect anything similar to it. I can't point out a single scene that even resembled that of the book. Part II of the book, especially, was almost non-existent. You will definitely be able to pick out the noticeable differences between the book and the film. Hopefully, you won't be TOO disappointed.
But like I said, you're more likely to enjoy the film if you haven't read the book.