Review: Nights in Rodanthe

Nights in Rodanthe
3 Lloyds – Cautionary Family-Friendly
PG-13 some sensuality.

This book come to life on the big screen definitely falls into the chick-flick-tear-jerker category. But, just because I describe it that way, does not mean this is a bad movie.

Classified as a romantic drama, Nights in Rodanthe is based on the 2004 best-selling novel of the same name written by Nicholas Sparks. Adrienne Willis, played by Diane Lane, is a woman who finds her life swirling in chaos. When asked to take care of a friend’s inn for the weekend, she jumps at the opportunity for a get-away retreat to the little coastal town of Rodanthe, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Adrienne hopes the peaceful surroundings of the inn will help her sort through some of her current life issues.

But, almost as soon as she arrives at Rodanthe, a major storm is forecast and the only guest at the inn, Dr. Paul Flanner who’s played by Richard Gere, arrives on the scene. Flanner is a very mysterious man who’s quiet and seems to want to keep to himself. He quickly brushes Adrienne off and simply heads to his room. When asked to sign the guest book and give a home address, Flanner says he doesn’t know where he lives. As the story progresses, we quickly discover the Doctor is not on a weekend escape. Instead, he’s in Rodanthe to face a crisis of his own.

While Nights in Rodanthe is not a really strong movie, this is not one to be ignored. If you like Richard Gere and Diane Lane, you will not be disappointed with their performances in this new flick. Could it be this third time together will truly be a charm? This is the third time the couple has been together on the big screen. For the 1984 movie The Cotton Club director Francis Ford Coppola introduced Diane Lane to Richard Gere. He first wanted to make sure there was an on-screen chemistry between the pair before putting them on the big screen together. Then in 2002 the on-screen couple reunited for the movie Unfaithful. This time around Warner Bros. and director George Wolfe have paired the big screen couple together once again. Gere and Lane could be the big screen equivalent of what Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad are to the little screen. When you put the two together, no matter what, you know the pair will do well together.

Nights in Rodanthe is a somewhat slow moving love story where we discover our two stars literally thrust together in the midst of a storm. Both of their lives are in turmoil, and then, add on top of that, the turmoil of a storm threatening to blow the little inn right off its pedestal. It’s in the midst of the storm however that we discover the all important sub-plot of the movie. While on the surface it may seem to be a simple chick-flick with a predictable ending, it’s much more than that. Nights in Rodanthe has a few interesting twists and turns along the way as well. In the end, we also discover the difference between settling love and true love. True love, we discover, is defined as love from a person who encourages you to be all you can be. True love encourages you to take risks, and step out beyond your comfort zone in all areas of your life.

Aside from the storyline, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible scenery found in this movie. I was awestruck by the beauty of the North Carolina coastal town of Rodanthe, and I must admit, I love the inn! Then, add on top of this, the brilliant hurricane scene where you are sure you’re right in the middle of the storm with them. This, combined with the subtle surprise plot lines, does make Nights in Rodanthe a worthwhile movie to see on the big screen.

Nights in Rodanthe is rated PG-13. While this is by no means a wildly rude, crude and sex filled movie, we are saying it’s cautionary family-friendly. Aside from the fact that it does deal with mature themes, this movie is rather slow at times as well. Clocking in at slightly more than an hour and a half, the 17 and under crowd might find themselves rather bored.

Enjoy the show!
Dr. Rus