Nights in Rodanthe, Review

Nights in Rodanthe

2008, **1/2, PG-13

Starring: Diane Lane, Richard Gere

By: Meredith A. Iager

Gere and Lane unite since their 1999 suspenseful romance (that killed all romantic vibes) "Unfaithful." Directed by George Wolfe ("The Devil Wears Prada," "Garden State") "Nights in Rodanthe," based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, "just" does just the trick for those romance genre lovers, this fall.

I must say, it's not up to par with "The Notebook," or "Message in a Bottle," but it was enough to capture everyone in the theatre for the entire movie. Also note-this might be one of Lane's last movies, if not the last one! Apparently, she wants to pursue other things, according to entertainment journalistic sources on yahoo on September 25, 2008. We will miss her-she has added some outstanding footage on screen (especially in the romantic comedy-drama section).

Adrienne Willis (Diane Lane, "Under the Tuscan Sun," "Must Love Dogs," "Untraceable") is having marriage troubles-her husband had an affair for several months (What else is new? It's a Sparks Book-you gotta remember that). She is a mother of two, and is trying to figure out what to do about her situation; wanting the best for herself and her children. She needs some time to think, and decides to do her best friend (Viola Davis, "Disturbia," "World Trade Center") a favor and tend to the guests at a Bed & Breakfast Beachy Inn, in Rodanthe, North Carolina for a couple of days. The perfect setting: beach, beach, more beach, an incredible house, and lonely doctor Paul Flanner (Richard Gere, "The Hoax,")-all for Adrienne to look after. She soon realizes that Gere wasn't just coming to Rodanthe to "Get Away."

What more could one ask for? Well-all fun, and no problems. As you can imagine-they hit it off, but something is tearing Paul apart. The film moved along smoothly, and you care about the characters and feel their pain. I think the beach setting always helps.

This is one to watch once-maybe to catch on the tube from time to time-just for the beautiful house alone-set aside from the acting. However, as I always say for genre lovers-buy it, because it does have a shelf life in its category!