Lasse Hallström, the Swedish director who gave us Chocolat (2001), Gilbert Grape (1993) and Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) is at it again - making chick flicks for guys. This means, unlike your stereotypical chick flick whose leading man is a hollow beefcakey stud with as much personality as the scenery, here we get a complex beefcakey stud whom the chicks can swoon over whilst the bros say "duuuuude he's cool."In this case the protagonist is "John" (Channing Tatum) who plays an Army Special Forces character who can kill you with a toothpick but has total control over his emotions. Until, of couse, he meets "Savannah" (Amanda Seyfried) over his 2 week furlough before going back to war.As you might guess, the story explores the ultimate long distance relationship as John completes his 1 year tour as a soldier while Savannah waits at home. Sounds boring? Well wait, there are complications. John's father is autistic and his mother abandoned them years ago. So John is forced to be the responsible one, but the whole war/love thing throws him out of whack.Meanwhile Savannah has a few secrets of her own (and I gotta admit I totally didn't see it coming). And on top if it all, 9/11 hits and this forces John to make a decision whether to stay with his platoon and most likely get his butt blown off, or retire once his initial tour is over. Oh, and the movie begins with John getting blasted by gunfire, meaning the story unfolds in a huge flashback leaving us wondering the whole time if John dies or not.This is a very sentimental flick, much like the other Hallström movies I mentioned, but it doesn't get sappy or predictable. In fact at least 3 plot twists took me by total surprise. And I'm talking like "whoa duuuuude I never saw THAT coming" surprise."Dear John" focuses on interpersonal relationships when duty comes into play - and I'm not just talking about duty toward your country (a cleverly woven parallel), but duty to parents, children and those who need help. This is juxtaposed against selfish happiness, or the storybook love. Pay close attention to the characters' choices & sacrifices, and how these choices are based on duty/selflessness rather than "getting the girl". I think that's what makes this a unique romance. Whereas most Hollywood romance flicks focus on the problems of 2 lovers, "Dear John" presents us with an ideal love that is complicated by external loyalties.The trademark of Hallström movies is some other issue (not just love) driving the characters, and that's why these films aren't sappy or predictable. Another trademark is is use of gorgeous scenery, in this case the beaches of Charleston SC. He achieves a very nostalgic beach feeling, even for those of us who have only been to the beach once or twice in our lives (see also his film "Safe Haven" filmed in Southport, NC)."Dear John" is a quiet, sentimental film, so don't expect action, car chases & robots. But it delivers a few tricky plot twists, so it's never boring. If you're not familiar with Hallström's style, I'd say it's artistic without being over-the-top artsy. Think of Kieslowsky (Blue, White, Red trilogy) or Wim Wenders (Paris Texas, Wings of Desire) or possibly even Steven Soderbergh (Sex Lies & Videotape, Solaris, Magic Mike) and you'll have a general idea of how this film feels.

worst movie that i have ever watched, shocking story line. Just wasted 2 hours of my life. Never watch it, was so bad. I'm saving you I promise from a terrible film. Stop after he gets a letter after 2 months seriously. watch peppa pig instead, thats far better quality. angry i wasted my time

**SPOILERS AHEAD** I'm sorry but the reason I watch romance is to make me either cry or have heart warming feeling, i got none of these... I just felt like i wasted my time watching this and it didn't have a good structured ending. Sorry to the fan but i was told i would cry, i didn't (I cry easily). AND IM SORRRRY BUT WHY TIM??? like i get it he needed you but if you loved John the way you said you did then you wouldn't of done that.All in all i was disappointed and I did not enjoy this film.

*May Contain Spoilers*Out of 10 stars, I would give this star a 7. While it was a well- done movie, there could have been more development is some of the sub- plots. Overall, I enjoyed watching the movie and would be willing to watch it again, I would not consider it one of my favorite movies. Dear John is the tale Savannah and John who show that while love may have obstacles, it can travel around the world and last a lifetime. Savannah is a college student who met John in South Carolina during a volunteer trip. John is a resident of South Carolina who is in the United States Army and lives with his Dad who may be on the autism spectrum, even though it is not confirmed in the movie. As stated in the movie, it only took two weeks for Savannah and John to fall in love but when those two weeks were up, the reality of life settled in an Savannah and John had to face long distance, deployment, friends who have fallen ill, and accomplishment of personal dreams through letters written to one another. While some may believe that love has no bounds, Dear John sends that message the life will throw obstacles at love and choices need to be made that can affect the relationship despite the love shared. I found that Dear John portrayed a realistic version of love for young lovers who not only come from different experiences but also have different goals. Dear John showed that while someone may love another, sometimes other responsibilities need to take priority but the love one has for another will never truly disappear. The main character that was perceived to have a disability was John's father. It was hinted by Savannah that he may have autism because he is obsessed with coins, has a schedule for dinner, and lack social skills. However, when she addresses this with John, John reacts negatively and automatically assumes that Savannah thinks that something is wrong with him. This is considered a negative barrier because it promotes stigma that autism means not right. However, a positive advocacy if autism occurs in the movie through the love Savannah has for her neighbor who has autism. Savannah shows that autism is not bad and through interventions such as horse-back riding, children with autism can build connections. Overall, I would recommend this movie for those who enjoy love stories. Since this movie is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, I would highly recommend this movie to those who enjoy Nicholas Sparks's works.