This post was sponsored by Lionsgate as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.
Momma Told Me: Every choice leads to another path.
When I was 17, already through my first semester of college, I packed up my first car (a lovely pearl Saturn if you're wondering) and drove across country with my best friend. I was moving to Rhode Island to be with my high school sweetheart, she was tagging along for the commentary in her life's memoirs. The road trip was fairly uneventful but I distinctly remember laying my head on the pillow, in whichever value motel we happened to stop at once our eyes begun to droop, and imaging the day that would mark the end of our journey. The day I would step out of my car and into HIS arms.
It may have been that I was a beautiful 17 year old Southern California girl exercising her newfound independence with a recklessly romantic act- but the moments that followed that final screech of my tires onto his mother's gravel will forever be burned into my mind. It was exactly one week before my 18th birthday the leaves had already begun to turn every so slightly and the warm Summer winds rustled the trees towering high above my head. It felt as though I were in a whole new world, despite the fact I had been there so many times. My heart pounded and butterflies began to knot my stomach. The reality of my decision was finally setting in. We had dated all through high school, but what if her didn't want me here, now?
What followed was a sequence that, in my mind, will always play out like the perfect screen from a romantic movie- I remember my feet swinging up off the ground as he held me as tight as he could. His grin so wide and constant it gave his own true feelings away. My hands ached for hours from the grip, hand in hand, neither of us willing to separate. It was young love, but it was simple and carefree love.
The Summer, then Fall, that followed now remains the most vivid of my life- It is filled with warm feelings and sweeping memories that play like ancient home movies in the back of my mind. And while we were far from each other's soul mates, we had our time, and that time was perfect. It's funny, really, when I'm asked to reflect upon 'my first love' in casual conversations with girlfriends or in discussion groups, my eyes get a bit glossy and I tend to smile, "It's a bit like a romance novel," I'll say.
People tend to get a little confused- Surely, if it was such a great romance, it would still be continuing. How could someone have such fond and vivid feelings about a person they no longer share those feelings with? I can't explain it, but it's true. And that is precisely what makes me a Nicholas Sparks fan.
My first Nicholas Sparks film was, actually, The Notebook 5 weeks after it hit theaters, and that very same, magical, Summer. I like to think the endearing love story portrayed in that film went on to inspire the months that were about to enfold, at least in mentality. I saw The Notebook 4 more times in that little Rhode Island theater. After that, I couldn't get enough- I went backwards to A Walk To Remember, then collected each and every Nicholas Sparks book. I won't say I've read them all, but I've read most- and most many times. And every time a new on screen adaptation of one of my favorite Sparks' novels is released I am swept up and taken back to my own love story and memories of reckless abandon and young love.
The Choice, coming to theaters this Friday February 5, 2016, is a book I've long held a love-hate relationship with. The story, so quickly told, hits you in it's entirety only after it has ended. In some portions, you know what is coming, you feel the decisions, the Choices, the characters struggle to make but the ultimate question will leave you torn inside no matter your feelings on life, love, and the time we are given.
I wish I could discuss the book candidly- Given the imminent release of it's motion picture counterpart, and how drastically some of the key elements seem to have been altered based on the previews, I can only best urge you to read the book AND watch the film. At it's core The Choice chronicles the somewhat whimsical but extremely raw love story of independent medical student from a privileged past Gabby, and small town ladies' man Travis. Both going about their lives relatively happy until their world's collide setting forth a series of defined choices. The movie and book both dare to ask- "How far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?" a question which weighs heavy in introspect when we are asked to turn the question to our own lives.
I don't want to spoil the film or the book so I am limited in what I can say. What I can tell you is that The Choice does not disappoint in terms of those heart-wrenching twists and chest pumping highs. The characters are solidly flawed making them immediately identifiable, and compassionately human. The title holds a solid theme throughout their story, because The Choice really is the story of two people and the decisions they make once their paths cross, and at many times you are sure to find questioning what you would do were you in their situations.
But, most of all, The Choice remains a classic Nicholas Sparks novel of deep connection and love set among beautiful lush environments. I am sure many women will be asking to see this film for Valentine's Day, and many couples will walk out of the theater with quite a bit to discuss. And, in true Sparks' form, I am certain emotions will overwhelm until the very last scene has rolled. Check out the Official Trailer for The Choice then let me know, below, if you've ever had to make tough decisions in the name of love. What Daughter Says: I didn't marry my high school sweetheart but I don't regret my choice to move across country to be with him. At the time, it was what I needed. In the end, it led to another path.
Momma Told Me: True love is hard enough to believe without Vampires in the mix.
If I used the term 'Supernatural Romance' today, you might be inclined to think of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Edward and Bella (Twilight Series) or The Time Traveler's Wife (2009). Many of you may have a natural reaction to put down this article right now, to stop reading altogether. After all, even the most famous and beloved Paranormal Romance film, Ghost (1990) featured the deceased Patrick Swayze wooing his grieving girlfriend, Demi Moore. I have a hard time wrapping my head round vampires and ghosts in love- no matter how great the actors portraying the romance, it always comes off as cheesy. And that's precisely why In Your Eyes (2014) is a refreshing twist to the Supernatural Romance genre.
Something that had previously been reserved for over-the-top romance novels and science fiction, this particular genre is used ever so cleverly on an impressively natural level. Paranormal, in this case, deals more with the exploration of the tangible bond between two people who have never met. That is to say, if you believe in the existence of soul mates you are already on board with the plot's notion that two people destined to be together could in theory sense that connection no matter their distance.
At 105 minutes, with a true cast of around 10 characters, In Your Eyes is genuine romantic film dedicated to portraying the story and love of two people who being the film as seemingly strangers. The actors, who have had some sucess on and off screen in minor roles are brilliantly cast within the clever quirks of their own characters. Playing with the classic romantic notion of forbidden love, Rebecca is the affluent wife of a medical researcher wasting away her life at cocktail parties and fundraisers while her on screen counterpart, Dylan, is an ex-con struggling to find himself. However the true compulsion to watch comes from the unique connection these otherwise strangers discover.
It turns out both Dylan and Rebecca have in fact known each other, quite intimately, their entire lives. This discovery leads to a complicated and intense relationship between the two as they attempt to hold each-other up, despite the miles. While the tie that bonds them is a bit cheesy at some points the characters are quite endearing and the film will challenge you to smile, and even cry throughout it's ups and downs. The storytelling is shot beautifully, and it's not hard to find yourself falling in love with the characters.
One of the successes of In Your Eyes is the beautiful soundtrack (which I in fact purchased) that brings the characters and the plot through it's ups and downs. Twinbed's The Trouble I'm In is a haunting melody that so elegantly brings one of the film' most satisfying scenes to a climax while Eddie Ray's Glad I Found You helps steer one of the film's more playful scenes. The soundtrack is indeed as diverse as the emotions portrayed and the depth of each character is unmistakable as the viewer is helplessly drawn in.
I would love to suggest In Your Eyes as a Valentine's Day stream for you and your sweetie, though most cynical men will have a hard time latching on to a film that otherwise reminds me of The Notebook. Consider watching this with some girlfriends, by yourself as a guilty please, or with a teen daughter (there really is nothing graphic.) And I must add that leading man, Micheal Stahl-David is simply smoldering as the hopelessly awkward and unaware bad boy turned hero! In all, the timing for this Netflix release proved just right and I look forward to owning a physical copy soon!
What Daughter Says: Characters Rebecca and Dylan are soul mates at their best!
