Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee in "The Road"
courtesy of Dimension Films
“A Long and Winding Road”

Cormac McCarhty wrote the novel on which the movie/DVD “The Road” is based. He also wrote the novel upon which “No Country For Old Men” was based. Some would argue Mr. McCarthy has a bleak outlook for the future of our country and for humanity in total, but in “The Road” his story does have an optimistic tinge to it.

The story is set in the future after an apocalyptic event has occurred. The world is surrounded by a grey cloud cover and vegetation has been stripped form the planet. It is a cold, barren landscape on which little of humanity is left and for those who have survived the future is dim. 

A man (Viggo Mortensen) and his son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) are on a road headed south. It is a dangerous route they are taking as cannibalistic groups are searching everywhere for food. If the man and the boy are caught they could be killed and eaten. The man is not so much worried about himself as he is for the boy. He will do anything to protect his son.

In flashbacks we get a view of the man’s life before the apocalypse occurred. He lived with his wife (Charlize Theron) and they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their child. Then the unthinkable happened and now it is just the man and the boy.

The film is depressing to say the least but somehow there is hope in the man’s devotion to his son, and also through the boy’s unwavering determination that he and his father are the good guys. He knows they are carrying the fire of hope within them. He seeks assurance from his father of these facts all through their journey.

There are moments of action in the film but mainly it is a slow steady trek to an unknown future. Occasionally they meet random strangers on the road such as a thief (Michael K Williams), an old man (Robert Duval), and a member of a gang (Garret Dilahunt). All interact with the man and the boy but to no avail.

Mortensen is incredibly believable as the man. He looks and acts the part of the gaunt man who is surviving solely because of the love he has for his son. As the boy Smit-McPhee is also exceptional. He wins over the audience’s heart from the first moments he is seen on screen and never loses their favor.

“The Road” is not a DVD everyone will want to watch. Its intensity is staggering and its tone is dark and depressing. You will find yourself looking for any glimpse of sunlight you can find. Still for those who stick with it there is that shred of optimism that permeates the story. And it is that which gives the film its balance.

On the other hand “Dear John” is a sad film but ultimately an uplifting one. It is based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. It is an anomaly from what Hollywood usually offers in that it praises patriotism, sacrifice and strong family support. With characteristics like that, this is a film the Tea Party movement could take to its heart.

Of course the first obstacle the movie has to overcome is it is based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. Having Sparks as source material usually means the film is dismissed as being sappy and contrived. Sparks writes emotional stories and though they routinely please his readers, they do not impress the critics. And the same is true of movies made from his books even though “The Notebook” is eternally popular among viewers of all ages.

This movie focuses on John Tyree (Channing Tatum) an Army sergeant who is home on leave in South Carolina. While at a beach outside Charleston, South Carolina he meets Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried). She is a college student living at her parents’ beach house during the summer and has two weeks left before she must return to college. The two are instantly attracted to each other and plan to reconnect when John finishes the one year remaining on his enlistment.

During this two week period John is also introduced to her friend Tim (Henry Thomas) and his young son Adam (Braeden Reed). Adam is autistic and has captured Savannah’s heart. Because of her connection with him she plans to change her major to special education.

The film follows the romance between John and Savannah and focuses on the problems that occur in their lives. One of them is John’s relationship with his father (Richard Jenkins). Mr. Tyree is a remote man with some idiosyncrasies that suggest he made have some emotional problems of his own. John has an awkward time communicating with him but Savannah seems to bring them closer together.

The acting in this film is good with Jenkins being outstanding. He manages to create the most emotional moments in the movie. Tatum and Seyfried are at their best and make the struggles of the couple touch the audience. Thomas, who played “Elliot” in “E. T.”, is also interesting to watch.

As with “The Notebook,” the makers of this film do not follow the plot of Sparks’ book completely. There are changes made that enhance the film and give it more impact. They also make the film more appealing to its intended audience.

“Dear John” is a love story with a little more weight than the average film of this type. It should increase Tatum’s star status and enhance Jenkins stature as an actor. Most of all it should please moviegoers from start to finish just as “The Notebook” did. So far a “date night” this is the DVD to get.

Now for the best DVD of the week – “True Blood: The Complete Second Season.” If you aren’t hooked on this HBO series by now then you better get back down to this planet. This is the vampire series for adults and it delivers thrills, chills and deeply emotional situations. 

The series is created and produced by Alan Ball of “Six Feet Under” fame and stars Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and a fantastic supporting cast. This is one sexy and talented group of actors and not one of them is a weak link.

The series is based on the books of Charlaine Harris and the plots are wild and wilder. Just when you think you know where a storyline is headed it veers off in another direction. Season one was good but season two is even better, if you can believe that.

So get “True Blood: The Complete Second Season” today and watch all twelve episodes back to back. There are commentaries and other bonus content contained in the set too.
 

 

 

 

 

©2010 Jackie K. Cooper

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