There are a lot of differences between the movie and the book. If you have read the book first you will love the movie more, if you have watched the movie first, there are places not so convincing but still enjoyable. Anyway it is a good adoption of the book. Books and Movies both are using two different methods to tell a story. In this case both work.
I love how the movie starts when John was talking about what was the first thing entered his mind after he got shot. Coins, the passion he and his father shared when he was young. He also compares himself as a coin of the US army, being minted, serving the country, but he is no longer perfect because there are two little holes on his body. It used a different approach to bring the importance of coins in his life - the link between his father and him.
Only two weeks and that is more than enough to make you go crazy for someone. I remembered a line by Savannah in the book, “Don’t promise anything when you are not sure you could finish it.” It’s sad this line didn’t make it into the movie, but somehow this is the key of the relationship, a promise keeps John and Savannah writing to each other. Nothing would happen if that promise has never been made. Are you willing to sacrifice your country (it was when 911 happened) and leave your friends to war to keep that promise?
Channing Tatum (John Tyree) I can’t say he is a good actor, from Step up, She’s the Man, to even GI Joe, there is something missing, he is definitely talented, but he is like an unfinished coin ready to be rimmed and beveled. He needs some more time, when his acting mellows he will be big. For Amanda Seyfried (Savannah Lynn Curtis) she surprised me actually, when I saw her playing the guitar and sing, it was just captivating.
Good music always enhances the intensity of the story. I never did realize this until watching Dear John, personal favourite “Paperweight” by Joshua Radin & Schuyler Fisk, this duet is so powerful, matching it with the movie, it helped to tell the story when John and Savannah were apart. You might not have listened carefully for the lyrics at first but when you do it is like looking though Savannah and John’s mind, how they feel for each other. A surprise is the lead Amanda Seyfried herself co-wrote a song for the movie (which I like the movie acoustic version better than the OST version) – “Little House”. Another favourite “You take my troubles away” by Rachael Yamagata & Dan Wilson.
Enjoy this little adventure, first reading the book, watching the movie and last enjoying the OST. I seldom like the movie as much the original, plus loving the soundtrack. This is a first! It is really hard to translate the words into the big screen without awkwardness and keep the beauty of the book. With the aid of music, it just brought out wonderfully.
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