A middle-aged love story for Valentine’s Eve
I’m not an expert on Nicholas Sparks’ books, or on making movies from novels.
Generally, I’ve avoided jumping on the ”hate-the-movie-because-it-didn’t-do-the-book-justice” bandwagon.
I try to enjoy both, for what they are. You can’t replicate the reading experience in a theater. So I try to just relax and not be judgmental.
That was the case last night when my wife, Kathy, and I watched ”Nights in Rodanthe,” the latest Nicholas Sparks novel turned to movie. Kath read the book several years ago and enjoyed it so much she suggested I read it, too.
As with most of his novels and movies, ”Rodanthe” is definately targeted at women. Romance and tragedy. Tragedy and romance. That’s what he writes about, and he does it well. In this case, it involves middle-aged love with real passion, something you don’t find much in movies.
I have a sensitive side, too, and I enjoyed both the book and the movie. I got misty eyed at the appropriate places.
What struck me was that Richard Gere and Diane Lane, whatever the critics may think of their performances, succeeded in capturing the spirit of the book - including the gut-wrenching pain and soaring joy that come with life and love.
Of course, Sparks’ books obviously adapt well to movies. “The Notebook” and “Message in a Bottle” were big hits in recent years. He knows how to spin the anguish of life into bittersweet love.
And while Rodanthe is light on depth and heavy on sentimental cliches, it succeeded in providing a wonderful way to spend Valentine’s Eve.