In a less predictable, commercial and more intelligent feature-film debut, pop-star Mandy Moore stars as Jamie Sullivan, the local preacher’s daughter and an impish reclusive bookworm who is constantly ostracized by her classmates. Shane West plays Landon Carter, the local ne’er do well (yes, I use that word, so I’m un-cool) who constantly gets into trouble with his friends. One night after nearly killing a friend, he is forced to star in the school play alongside Jamie. Soon, the two become friends and they fall deeply in love with one another despite the resistance of her father.
What’s this, folks? A smart pop star? Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! Yes, folks, Mandy Moore takes the less obvious route that Britney Spears did in the putrid “Crossroads” and stars in a movie that shows she can actually act. I was very skeptical about watching this, because as I mentioned in the aforementioned sentence, I’d seen “Crossroads”. So, when I saw this, I was very surprised. Mandy Moore is a pretty good actress for a newcomer. Her character, Jamie, is very likeable and cute as we slowly fall for her throughout the movie. I was really surprised at how she stars in a movie where she hardly even sings. “Crossroads” was an excuse to sell soundtracks and such, but this was a smart love story. Shane West is good in this as Landon.
At first, he’s a basically mean and cold individual, but as their romance begins to slowly progress, we start to see his human emotions and he becomes a very likeable character. The whole movie is a tearjerker and a half, as the whole movie will have you crying your eyes out/ Good job, Mandy, good job. The movie’s supporting characters are very one-dimensional as they’re presented more as cardboard caricatures than actual people. Landon’s friends, most of all, are your typical cliché supporting cast members, like the rowdy black guy, and the bitchy girl, etc, etc. The movie attempts to make them deeper as the film progresses, but it doesn’t work. A smart feature film debut from Mandy Moore as she actually tries to act. This is a great romantic tearjerker that managed to squeeze a tear from even me. Women will love this, so grab your tissues, folks.