Review: Safe Haven

Review: Safe Haven
*Spoilers Alert.
  Do NOT forget to rate this post when you finish.

Official 'Safe Haven' Poster.

     From the author of 'The Notebook' and the director of 'Dear John', comes 'Safe Haven' is a enjoyable romantic drama movie with its own surprises as well as flaws.

"Julianne Hough".

"Josh Duhamel".

     'Erin Tierney'(Julianne Hough) is running away from her abusive and alcoholic husband 'Kevin Tierney'(David Lyons). She ends up hiding in Southport, North Carolina. There she changes her name to 'Katie Feldman', meets 'Alex Wheatly'(Josh Duhamel) , owner of a small store and father of 'Lexi'(Mimi Kirkland) and 'Josh'(Noah Lomax), and befriends her neighbor 'Jo'(Colbie Smulders). An unexpected love story will take place, and as soon as she starts to settle in her past will start following her. Will she be able to start a fresh new life or will her past keep on haunting her forever? Other characters include 'Deputy Bass'(Cullen Moss), friend of 'Josh'.

"Colbie Smulder".

"David Lyons".

     Movies that has been adapted from "Nicholas Sparks"'s books has been successful, and 'Safe Haven' is not different. Compared to other movies adapted from "Sparks"'s books, this is definitely one of the good adaptations . The director "Lasse Hallström " , who previously directed 'Salomon Fishing in the Yemen' , did a really good job in this movie. The way he made this movie just beautiful to watch was really great. The place where it was shot is just magnificent, and we already know the ability "Lasse" to use the environment he is filming in to produce a visually beautiful movie. And this shows in 'Safe Haven'.It is worth noting that it was shot in the same location that was mentioned in the book(Southport, North Carolina). The pace of the movie was good and for me not boring. The balance between present scenes and flashback scenes was perfect. It allowed this movie to differentiate itself from the movies classified in the same genre.

"Julianne Hough" and
"Josh Duhamel".

"Noah Lomax", "Josh Duhamel",
and "Mimi Kirkland".

     The opening  sequence was good for the plot's development. The movie's pace of the events was good. The film developed in a coherent and intriguing way. But you can't help but feel that it could have been better in some parts. Nonetheless, "Sparks"'s elements ,that are found in most of his adapted books such as boat scene, kiss under the rain, and the letters, are done beautifully in this movie. Especially the letters, which was for me an element used really well. What differentiates this movie from similar ones is that it had a thriller feeling to it, especially when the scenes of 'Kevin Tierney'(David Lyons) were shown, which were used in an efficient way.The climax scene was good, and the ending was for sure unexpected. No one in the movie theater was expecting it, and it shows from the long sighs that they made.

"Julianne Hough" and
"David Lyons".

"Colbie Smulders" and
"Julianne Hough".

     Moving on to the actors, "Julianne Hough", who played 'Erin Tierney/Katie Feldman', on paper was an odd choice, in my opinion. But in fact she did a good job. There were moments that were unconvincing, but overall i think she did a very good job and her performance was a surprise. "Josh Duhamel"'s role as 'Alex Wheatly' was also a surprise. He portrayed his role in a convincing way. Both actors had great chemistry, but compared to other couples in these kind of movies, they weren't the best. Before the ending, when I was thinking of my review, I was going to say that the character of "Colbie Smulders" was not used well. But after the ending I now get the way they used her, though I would have loved if she and "Julianne" had more screen time together.

"Josh Duhamel" and
"Julianne Hough".

"Josh Duhamel" and
"Julianne Hough".

     I thought it was a surprise to all and she was very convincing, and I liked seeing her in dramatic role. The performance of "David Lyons" as 'Kevin Tierney', the abusive husband of 'Erin', was really good. Usually the bad guys are used in a really bad way in these genres, but I liked that his character got his fair share of screen time. 'Alex''s kids , 'Lexi'(Mimi Kirkland) and 'Josh'(Noah Lomax), were adorable , though I thought they could have been used in a better way within the story. And I liked very much "Mimi Kirkland"'s performance.

      "Nicholas Sparks" wrote a great book, and it's adaptation to a movie was successful. I do advice lovers and people who love these kind of movies to watch it. Soon I will be doing a post related to all "Nicholas Sparks" books that were adapted into a movie.

'Safe Haven'.

-'Safe Haven' Info:
-Starring: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, Colbie Smulders, David Lyons, Noah Lomax, Mimi Kirkland, and Cullen Moss.
-Based on: 'Safe Haven' by Nicholas Sparks.
-Studio(s): Relativity Media and Temple Hill Entertainment.
-Directed by: Lasse Hallström.
-Music by: Deborah Lurie.
-Running Time: 115 minutes.
-Budget: $ 28,000,000.
-Box Office: Domestic(US): $ 71,349,120.
                      Foreign: $ 14,500,000.
-Ratings: -IMdb: 6.1/10.
                 -Rotten Tomatoes: 13%.
                 -Metacritic: 34%.

                 -PERSONAL RATING: 7.1/10.

-'Safe Haven' Trailer: