I’ll admit it: I have a low tolerance for cheesy romance movies. Yet there I was, sitting in the theater on the opening weekend of the Vow, surprised by an endearing and sigh-inducing movie that did not have the typical nauseating predictability. The chick flick, featuring the washboard abs of Channing Tatum and the cutesy star of “The Notebook”, Rachel McAdams, turned out to be different than your average Valentine’s Day film.
Early on we see the love and marriage between Leo (played by Tatum) and Paige (McAdams). Their relational quirks are highlighted, all with Tatum’s charming narrative of special moments together. These moments, he says, define us — how we’ve come to be who we are.
When a car accident takes Paige’s short-term memory, erasing memories of their relationship and marriage, Leo works to earn her back and make her fall in love again. The story takes us on an emotional roller coaster as Leo reflects on their relationship and Paige attempts to fit back into a world with five years missing. The ghosts of old boyfriends, high school friends, and family feuds threaten to replace Leo, and he steps up to the challenge by showing his dedication to her. Part of Paige’s journey of re-assimilation includes a search for true identity.
The struggles of trying to make her remember, of putting the pieces together again, are heart-wrenching. With each new endeavor to win her back, hope dangles precipitously in anticipation of that moment that she might recall their life together. Leo works so diligently at winning her back that the viewer wants to remember for her, just to end his agony.
The impressionable part of this movie was the human element – the arguments weren’t petty, the conflict and emotion were believable, and the tears felt real. Leo’s romancing of Paige goes to a whole new level of commitment, perseverance, devotion, and yes, love.
Men, beware. If you take your girlfriend to go see this movie, be prepared to be challenged. Tatum’s husband role has enough reality to strike a chord with everyone, his anger and frustration mixed with attentiveness and commitment, making it sigh-worthy for the fairer sex and raising the bar for those who wish to emulate him. It’s a perfect release in time Valentine’s Day –– a representation of real life, real heartache, and real love.
nmitchell@hillsdale.edu
