Nights in Rodanthe

Starring: Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Christopher Meloni, James Franco, Viola Davis, Mae Whitman

Year: 2008

When I started my blog, my intention was to only blog about movies that make me happy. Make me laugh. Feel good. Movies that are romantic and funny. Pretty much chick flicks. But after my sister-in-law asked me about Nights in Rodanthe, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. Unlike the happy cheery movies I’ve been blogging about, this one is much more serious. Yes, it’s romantic. And it’s got fun bits - not funny, but fun (if that makes sense). But it‘s also sad. And that’s probably why I haven’t blogged about it. Until now.

Adrienne (Lane) is unhappy and feeling lost. She is newly separated, recently lost her father and has a struggling relationship with her teenaged daughter. So when best friend Jean (Davis) asks Adrienne to look after her bed & breakfast, in the small coastal town of Rodanthe, she jumps at the chance. Anything to get away for a bit.

Paul (Gere) is a surgeon. Divorced. And has a non-existent relationship with his adult son (Franco). But what brings him to Rodanthe isn’t any of those things. Unfortunately, Paul has come to Rodanthe to meet with the family of one of his patients. A patient who unexpectedly died during surgery. A quick visit, with no intention on staying at the inn any longer than necessary. That is, until he meets Adrienne.

What starts off as just two lonely, unhappy people seeking comfort and someone to talk to, quickly becomes so much more.

Favourite Scenes: #1 When Adrienne and Paul send letters back and forth to one another. #2 When Adrienne decides to clean out Jean’s pantry #3 The horses.

Fun Facts: #1 The bed & breakfast is a real house. It’s actually a vacation rental property in Rodanthe, NC. #2 Diane Lane and Richard Gere played in two other movies together. Unfaithful (2002) and The Cotton Club (1984). #3 Richard Gere is sixteen years older than Diane Lane. He's 59 and she's 43 in the movie. #4 Richard Gere and Christopher Meloni were in Runaway Bride together. #5 Based on a Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name.

If you are looking for happy and cheery, this movie might not be for you. But when are we ever really in the mood for sad? It's a Nicholas Sparks story after all!! There's always a sad bit! Think "Walk to Remember"!! So sad but so good! I love Diane Lane. She's such a natural and believable actress. Beautiful too. Richard Gere is great too. Handsome as always. And I love the chemistry between their characters - which is always the deal breaker for me. While the movie is heart-warming and touching, it's also heart-breaking and emotional. Sounds terrible I know, but I do like it. Alot. And I'd watch it again tomorrow if you asked me to.

Favourite Lines:

*...there’s another kind of love...one that gives you the courage to be better than you are, not less than you are.

*When Jack left me, it wasn’t our marriage ending. It was the loss of all the hopes that I had for the future.

*I love you now for what we've already shared. And I love you now in anticipation for all that's to come.

From one movie "buff" to another....get that popcorn popped, the lights dimmed and the movie rolling.