MOVIE REVIEW - Nights In Rodanthe

Time for another Nicolas Sparks best- eller come to the box office, this time it Nights In Rodanthe. NIR stars Richard Gere and Diane Lane together again since they last paired in in Unfaithful 5 years ago.

NIR is the story of Adrian (Lane), the mother of two young children whose husband has left her for another woman, but now wants reconcile. She is unsure of his motives and is reluctant. So she decides to work at her friends bed and breakfast for a long weekend in Rodanthe, North Carolina to do some thinking. She finds herself alone with the lone guest for the 4 days, Dr. Flanner, (Gere) who also is trying to work out a number of crisis' in his life.

It all comes together. The house in Rodanthe is about the most fabulous place on earth. Both of these people are beautiful, they're alone, lonely, and then a hurricane comes and gives them the added push they need to fall into each others arms and fall in love. Somehow they end up changing each others lives, and begin a trek to spending all eternity together.

NIR is clearly a romantics movie. Like most Sparks stories, it speaks directly to women with no apologies. NIR will sweep many off their feet to a place that doesn't really exist, and that's the draw here. Mixed in among the real-life of Sparks' stories, is the element of fantasy that many find irresistible. That is his trademark. I have seen most Sparks movies and read many of his books, and that's where he lives. And that's OK.

Strangely enough, NIR is only about 90 minutes long, and it seems at times they were stretching to get it that long. There is also some odd musical choices made in it's soundtrack that seem out of place. But also undeniably, there are some breath taking ocean front shots, and wonderful sets, and you do feel transported off to this ocean front paradise. But with all things being fair, NIR will be seen as very romantic to some, and just sappy, and cheesy to others. That's the relationship the public has with Sparks. For me, it's a mixed bag. I completely understand the attraction of many to stories like this. I mean who wouldn't want to be trapped in a hurricane in this house with one of these two people? But I'm still reaching for the cheese.

Oh, if only life was actually like a Nicolas Sparks book and movie, but it's not sadly. But that's the allure of virtually all of his stories. NIR knows it's audience and speaks directly to it, and there's nothing wrong with that. Women will love this movie, no doubt. Honestly, it will be a nice night at the flicks for many with coffee, desert, and in-depth discussion afterwards.