This Mother's Day Give Mom a "Safe Haven"

Nicholas Sparks is at it again!

The Story:

A young woman named Katie (Julianne Hough) arrives in a small town in North Carolina, and she's running from something terrible in her past.  Upon arrival, she tries to keep to herself as much as possible, but it's hard to ignore the sweet charm of the local store owner, Alex (Josh Duhamel) and his sweet kids.  At the urging of Jo (Cobie Smulders), Katie begins to open up her heart and life to Alex.  However, her past secrets are hot on her trail, and it could ruin the very life that Katie is working hard to rebuild.

I did not see that coming.

Okay, I would guess it is safe to say I've seen enough Nicholas Sparks' movies to be an pseudo-expert on the man's work.

: )

Previously, The Notebook was my favorite film that he wrote.  The bad part, it's got such a tear-jerking ending, I cannot watch that movie ever again.

Niagara Falls, baby.

No lies..no shame.  It's a beautiful story about love that lasts a lifetime... but man it hurts to watch.

His last two films that I watched, Dear John and The Lucky One... meh.

Call me unimpressed, overall.

So rolling into Safe Haven, the only silver lining I had was Josh Duhamel as the star.  I'm a fan.  Love the guys work.  Heck, he was one of the few bright spots in the entire Transformers franchise.

He did not disappoint here either.  He's absolutely movie-charming, and everything you need the leading man to be.  He's friendly, compassionate, great with kids, and heartbroken since losing his wife to cancer.  Is Alex ready to move on?

Well, duh.

Katie is naturally reluctant... and her sordid past is revealed, slowly, steadily throughout the movie by way of flashbacks.  It's an effective technique to keep you guessing on why she's running, and why the law is hot on her trail.

The climactic finale feels a bit forced, but the build to it was suspenseful and intriguing enough that you can let it pass.

And then the movie quiets down, and offers up one more piece of the puzzle that you may or may not have considered up to that point.

Well played Nicholas Sparks, you got me to cry.  Again.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I could consider both.  Entertained throughout, and the ending, while heart-string tugging is not as nearly as emotionally devastating as the Notebook.  I can appreciate that.