Nights in Rodanthe

Infused with an unapologetically shameless atmosphere of sappiness, Nights in Rodanthe primarily comes off as an entertaining yet entirely forgettable romance that nevertheless packs an unexpectedly potent emotional punch as it draws to a close. The film follows a pair of unhappy characters (Diane Lane’s Adrienne and Richard Gere’s Paul) as they find themselves falling in love after meeting at a rustic inn, with their eventual affair inevitably forcing the couple to confront the various problems within their respective lives. Director George C. Wolfe, working from a screenplay by Ann Peacock and John Romano, has infused Nights in Rodanthe with a distinctly old-fashioned sensibility that undoubtedly mirrors author Nicholas Sparks’ eponymous novel, as the unabashed lack of complexity that’s been hard-wired into the proceedings is ultimately reminiscent of such previous Sparks adaptations as The Notebook and Message in a Bottle. Despite the overt manner in which virtually every plot twist is telegraphed, however, Nights in Rodanthe generally remains a cut above the majority of its melodramatic brethren – with Gere and Lane’s irresistibly charismatic work certainly playing a significant role in the movie’s success. The pedestrian build-up eventually gives way to a surprisingly powerful third act, as certain revelations, obvious as they may be, in retrospect, prove to be quite potent in their impact and ensure that the film ultimately earns a place for itself within the pantheon of effectively stirring romantic tearjerkers.

***1/2 out of ****