THE CHOICE (2016) – The Review

2016 is five weeks old, so the new model is rolling off the assembly line. You might think I’m referring to an automobile company like Ford or Lincoln. Well, we are dealing with a brand name, one associated with popular novels instead of cars. Stephen King is still king of the horror/suspense novels, John Grisham has the legal thrillers, and Nicholas Sparks is best known for the swoony, sweeping romance paperbacks that fill the spinner racks at airport gift shops and often protrude from the tops of canvas beach bags. His best sellers quickly grabbed the attention of the movie studios, and almost a dozen have been translated to the big screen (easy to see why since they don’t require costly CGI action set pieces or big name superstars since Sparks is the name that draws ’em in). Back to the assembly line reference, there’s been a new film adaptation annually for the last five years. Last year was THE LONGEST RIDE, and the 2016 edition is THE CHOICE. Will it be a lauded critical smash like THE NOTEBOOK or a campy guilty pleasure like SAFE HAVEN? That choice will soon be made…

The story begins in the usual Sparks backdrop, sunny North Carolina. To be precise, it’s the picture perfect coastal town of Beaufort. Hunky Travis Parker (Benjamin Walker) steers his fishing boat while grimly contemplating…the choice (title!). Flashback jump seven years to his carefree bachelor days as his married pals marvel at his luck with the ladies (a real playa”), but are concerned when his “on-again, off-again” paramour, the raven-haired beauty Monica (Alexandra Daddario) flits back into his life. Back at “casa de Travis” he hosts a loud cookout, which disrupts the studying of his new next door neighbor, medical student Gabby Holland (Teresa Parker),who’s working at the local hospital alongside her beau Dr. Yan (Tom Welling). During the course of their first conservation Gabby berates Travis for his loud music (“Black Betty” fer’ gosh sakes!) and accuses his dog, good ole’ Moby, of knocking up her sweet pooch Molly. He recommends a local animal health clinic as she storms off. Observing this, his sister  (Maggie Grace) remarks, “You are in trouble!” When Gabby takes Molly to the clinic, she’s stunned to learn that it’s run by Travis (he’s a vet?!) and his kindly widowed papa, Shep (Tom Wilkinson). She sees a softer, kinder side of him and when Ryan goes to Atlanta on business, she joins Travis, Steph, and their married buddies for a day on the boat. Which leads into a late supper, which leads to….But what will happen when Ryan returns, since this is more than a fling for this “good time” good ole’ boy? This romantic crisis will eventually lead to that present day “choice”.

The strength of these romances depends on the couple at its center, and these two talented actors make a noble effort to bring the tale to life (the bar was set impossibly high with McAdams and Gosling in THE NOTEBOOK). Walker (perhaps best known as ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER) exudes lots of laid back southern charm, but he’s more believable as the smitten suitor than the “can’t miss” ladykiller (the early scene of him talking up a couple of blonde bikini babes seems forced since he doesn’t have great “game”…talking about your dog’s swimming ability? uh huh). Still he’s got the longing, soulful looks down pat, although he often seems to be a cousin of them Duke boys than a pet doctor. And what is with those wisps of hair blocking his ears? Either grow a pair of 70’s sideburns or shave! Sorry it distracted me. Palmer (WARM BODIES) is a radiant screen presence, her blond locks almost a halo around her dazzling smile making her early scenes feigning annoyance with Travis a tough sell. We just know that her defenses will melt in the NC sun. Their romantic rivals aren’t written strong enough in order to be threats to this couple. We’re told that Daddario’s flighty temptress plays with the heart of Travis, but in her random appearances (Monica just shows up unexpectedly like Stratham in FURIOUS SEVEN) she’s pleasant (and actually instigates the exit that brings the T & G back together). Welling also seems a nice enough fella, certainly undeserving of his treatment. He’s the embodiment of that “rom-com” cliche made famous by the flick THE BAXTER, who has  little to do aside from looking great in a lab coat and getting brushed aside. Wilkinson essays a Sparks mainstay, the older character played by a screen vet (Alan Alda in THE LONGEST RIDE, Gerald McRaney in THE BEST OF ME, etc…) who has to talk some sense to the ‘young-uns and make sure they end up together. He’s always a terrific addition to any film, but aside from a hesitant romance with a “dogmamma” divorce’, he never gets to shine.

This highlights much of the film’s problems: everybody is jes’ so nice. Neither one of the leads is trapped in awful relationships till they meet (cute). Monica and Ryan are okay (hey, maybe they end up together after the final fade out). I will credit Sparks for doing away with a couple of clichés that pop up in several flicks. There’s no evil ex-hubby or suitors (or parents) conspiring to keep the couple apart. And , thankfully, no little kids in jeopardy (SAFE HAVEN, THE LUCKY ONE), but he does get this couple drenched in a sudden shower (THE BEST OF ME, etc.), along with the wonders of old record albums.  Can’t give up all those sure-fire, go to moments, I guess. One sequence circles spirituality (when his mum passed Travis rejected religion while Shep embraced it) briefly, perhaps in a bid for the growing faith-based film audience, but it’s dropped by the film’s last act concerning the big “choice”. It’s a delicate ethical one, which the film glides pass in order for a “feel good” finale. The location, and actor, are pretty, but without any palpable chemistry between the two leads and little conflict the movie’s bland. Eliminating many of the campy Sparks trademarks, THE CHOICE, is more believable, but ultimately forgettable. Maybe the 2017 model will be a better ride.

1.5 Out of 5