Rated PG-13 for an accident scene, sexual content, partial nudity and some language.
Starring Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Sam Neill and Jessica Lange
Directed by Michael Sucsy (Goree Girls, Grey Gardens)
Fun and sappy…the perfect date night movie.
Paige and Leo (Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum) are a happy newlywed couple whose lives are changed by a car accident that puts Paige in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, Paige has no memory of Leo, a confusing relationship with her parents (Sam Neill and Jessica Lange), and an ex-fiancé (Scott Speedman) she may still have feelings for. Despite these complications, Leo endeavors to win her heart again and rebuild their marriage.
The Vow is the latest “Nicholas Sparks like” novel to make it to the big screen and is more of the same…romance, wit, sap and some cheese thrown in for good measure.
The story is ok if you are willing to accept a few big “leaps”. Like Paige has not completely lost her memory – just the last five years. Oh by the way, that’s how long she has known Leo. Gone are all the wonderful memories of the day they met, their courtship and hipster wedding in an art museum.
Michael Sucsy, who has directed a few TV movies keeps the mood lighter with several “forget-me-not” jokes like forgotten computer passwords or ordering “the usual” at the deli, and steers away from the heaviness of the situation.
The biggest negative is Channing Tatum. Too harsh? Maybe, but this guy really can’t act. He’s ok playing funny and most of the ladies seem to like him, but with so much of the film riding on him…he just couldn’t pull it off.
I didn’t hate it and it was a nice date night with my wife…so I say go rent it!
SHOULD KIDS SEEIT?
In the first scene, Paige tells Leo about a myth that having sex in a car will get you “preggers”. They start kissing and are presumably about to have sex when the truck crashes into them. There is also a scene when you see Channing Tatum’s naked butt and Rachel McAdams is shown in her bra and panties a couple of times.
There is some brief language, like an occasional S-word and B-word.
Conversation Starter:
- At the beginning of the movie Leo says, “These moments of impact actually define who we are.” What are some of the big moments of impact in your life?
- How did the “impact moment” affect Paige and Leo?
- How did your “impact moments” affect you?
- Read 2 Corinthians 5:17
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
According to this passage, what is the biggest “impact moment” of anyone’s life? Why?
- Tell me about your biggest “impact moment”?
- What can you do this week to share the gospel with at least one of your friends?
