Despite predictable beginning, Sparks film eventually reaches ‘Safe Haven’ [Review]

Upon entering the crowded theatre for Safe Haven, surrounded by dozens of couples eager to indulge in a night of Valentine’s Day-themed movie bliss, my expectations for what seems like the billionth Nicholas Sparks movie adaptation weren’t particularly high. However, after sitting through the first hour of the cliched, small-town, lovey-dovey sap Sparks is notorious for delivering, I’ll admit that the second half of the film caught me off guard with a few much-needed thrilling twists. These twists set it apart from the predictable romantic dramas for which Sparks and his film adaptations are known.

The film, directed by Lasse Hallström (What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Dear John), opens up with main character Erin (Julianne Hough) bloodied and barefoot, fleeing through the streets of a rainy suburb. Then with a little hair bleach, some scissors, and a few fast-paced scenes later, Erin is boarding an Atlanta-bound bus desperate to escape her traumatic and abusive past. Hot on her heels, however, is Detective Tierney (David Lyons), a determined, alcohol-driven authority intent on arresting her for murder.

So as not to sway from the typical setting that is to be expected from the majority of Sparks’ novels-turned-films, the romance itself takes place in a seaside North Carolina small town. Upon deciding to settle in this town, Erin assumes the name Katie and moves into a secluded cabin in the woods. It is here that “Katie” meets love-interest Alex (Josh Duhamel), a widowed father of two still reeling from the death of his cancer-stricken wife. However, it’s not exactly love at first sight for Katie, who maintains a hard-to-get charade for the painful first half of the film.

Throughout the main romantic conflict there is also a sub-plot involving the mysterious neighbor Jo, whom Katie befriends upon discovering Jo peeping through her window one afternoon. Personally, I wouldn’t have allowed a Peeping Tom to become my best friend quite so quickly under those circumstances, but, that’s just my opinion.

Once the first few painfully uncomfortable scenes between the two protagonists pass, the plot line truly begins to pick up speed. From a near-drowning experience to a familiar canoe ride (see The Notebook), the somewhat slow development of the couple’s romance finally takes off. But that’s not all — the movie finishes strong, because all this time, beneath the small-town facade Katie has invented for herself, Tierney is still approaching, leaving a trail of empty vodka bottles and broken laws in his wake.

A few shed tears and a half-eaten bag of Orville Redenbacher later, Safe Haven left me with one realization in particular: “So this is how Sparks has managed to land eight movie deals within the last decade.” By incorporating just the right blend of romance and tragedy — no matter how cheesy — Sparks’s plots have managed to keep fans hungry and coming back for more with each piece of literary-turned-cinematic-gold that America just seems to adore. Score: 6.5/10. 

Hannah Crosby / Senior Staff Writer