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- What Makes Nicholas Sparks’ Movies Good
- Why Is ‘The Longest Ride‘ a Flop?
As a long-time admirer of Britt Robertson’s talent and having spent countless hours engrossed in Nicholas Sparks adaptations, I must confess that “The Longest Ride” left me rather disappointed. It seems that this film falls squarely into the category of “Nicholas Sparks needs to chill.
In the romantic comedy genre, Britt Robertson has been delightfully received once more, with her role as Ashley in Netflix’s latest film, “The Merry Gentlemen,” adding a touch of sweetness to the closing months of the year. Although she is accustomed to romance, this time she donned a heavy coat to face the chill of Christmas, despite Chad Michael Murray from “Gilmore Girls” generating quite the warmth with his dance moves inspired by Magic Mike on stage.
Although Robertson may become a future Christmas favorite, her Rotten Tomatoes flop from over a decade ago didn’t help boost her cinematic career. The romantic drama film “The Longest Ride,” released in 2015 and adapted from Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name, features Britt Robertson alongside Scott Eastwood. In this movie, viewers follow Sophia, Robertson’s character, as she struggles not to succumb to her feelings for Eastwood’s Luke, making the experience feel like an endlessly long journey.
What Makes Nicholas Sparks’ Movies Good
1999 marked the debut of Nicholas Sparks’ novel “Message in a Bottle,” which was later turned into a film and sparked a wave of adaptations. Notably, the 2004 romantic drama masterpiece, “The Notebook,” featuring Ryan Gosling (known for his role as Ken) from “The Big Short” and Rachel McAdams (famous for her part in “Mean Girls”), captivated audiences worldwide, immersing them in the heartwarming tale of love between two individuals.
Anyone watching a movie by the sometimes sentimental Nicholas Sparks can expect a journey filled with cheesy romance, emphasizing that true love does indeed exist and endures forever. It’s about discovering one true love, but be prepared for formidable obstacles, some of which may shatter your heart throughout the movie. In fact, it would be wise to have a box of tissues at hand, as you never know when they might be needed, regardless of who is watching.
Known for penning emotionally charged narratives that gain further depth in film adaptations, Nicholas Sparks is celebrated for creating heart-wrenching romantic dramas, often revolving around themes such as terminal illness and social class (and sometimes both). These movies have a knack for striking an emotional chord, to put it mildly. However, the iconic style and the deep bonds formed between viewers and characters may be losing their appeal over time. It’s possible that some audiences are growing weary of stories that seem unrealistic, or perhaps find it tiresome to constantly be presented with the idealized notion of love when real-life relationships are far more intricate.
Why Is ‘The Longest Ride’ a Flop?
It’s difficult to criticize Britt Robertson’s acting in The Longest Ride because she usually does a delicate job, but this film seems to be emblematic of Nicholas Sparks entering a phase where he might want to slow down a bit. In The Longest Ride, we have Luke, a former bull-riding champion, and Sophia, a college student who is far removed from Luke’s world, making their romantic entanglement somewhat uncomfortable to watch. However, their relationship takes an unexpected turn when they form a connection with Ira, a 90-year-old widower. Ira’s love story with his late wife, Ruth, influences the young lovers significantly. Despite Sophia and Luke not being among Nicholas Sparks’ strongest couple adaptations, their interaction with Ira adds depth to their characters and the narrative.
Regrettably, “The Longest Ride” feels more like a carousel ride through overused storytelling tropes. Characters Luke and Sophia seem to bear no resemblance to each other, yet they fall in love primarily due to their physical allure. In Nicholas Sparks’ films, it seems that looks are everything. Disregarding appearances, “The Longest Ride” is also lacking in terms of meaningful and impactful dialogue. However, who needs heartfelt or relatable conversations when you have attractive leads, right?
Although it may seem humorous, I must say that the movie featuring Britt Robertson falls short in many aspects, despite Nicholas Sparks typically delivering emotional depth. What seems to be missing most is tragedy, as the film’s overly prolonged duration appears to have dulled the impact of what should have been poignant moments. The story primarily revolves around Luke and Sophia desiring different things, but The Longest Ride is one of those films that ends beautifully. Their lives don’t intersect at all, yet Sophia finds solace in learning about how Ira and Ruth managed to share their life together, even though Ruth longed for children, but Ira became infertile due to wartime injuries.
In the end, Sophia and Luke’s love story, despite reconciliation, appears inauthentic. There’s no instance where their love feels genuine because their differences are too stark, and the events that unfold seem overly convenient. Here’s hoping Britt Robertson will steer her career towards roles beyond The Longest Ride, possibly venturing into more diverse characters or productions.
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2024-11-27 05:02