Dear John

I love my new apartment and the location is perfect. A short walk and I am at my exercise class. It is also a step or two to the 2 best movie houses in town. I have spent a busy week ordering new lamp shades, fixing picture frames and purchasing a new rug. I needed a movie fix. I knew this film would be a B film but that would be okay.

Nobody prepared me for the male actor, Channing Tatum. Where has he been all my life? This is a hunk and I didn’t care what he said or did. Tatum plays the part of John. He is on leave from his job with a special services unit of the American army and has come home for 2 weeks to visit his father.

His father is magnificently portrayed by Richard Jenkins. Dad is a recluse who is only interested in his fantastic coin collection.

John loves to surf and spend time on the beach. One day he helps out the beautiful Savannah. Her purse has fallen from a bridge into the water below. The handsome John dives into the water, rescues the purse and begins the love affair with Savannah. She is so adorable and you can’t blame him.

Savannah is a special kind of gal. She thinks of other people and does noble acts. The two fall madly in love and promise to keep in touch with letters when she returns to school and he returns to his overseas duties. He is in specials services and we can’t help but admire the tough job faced by John and his team of soldiers.

Following 911 John feels his duty is to the special services and he signs up again against the wishes of Savannah. He is injured but fortunately recovers. One day he receives a dreaded ‘Dear John ‘letter. Savannah has fallen in love with someone else. Of course John is devastated.

We learn more about both the characters and find out how their lives have gone forward. There are a few twists and turns.

Throughout we feel the passion and love between John and Savannah. There is a lot of emotion so keep the kleenex handy. I enjoyed the film and found several of the issues presented to be well handled.

This is Oscar season so make sure you see the nominated pictures first. If you have seen everything on the list this makes for an entertaining viewing.