By Kailyn Jennings
Contributing Writer
Nicholas Sparks has added yet another New York Times bestseller to his repertoire. “Safe Haven” is at the top of the fiction chart, and it is now adapted to the big screen. The romantic film was fittingly released on Valentine’s Day, and on the night of the movie’s release, Olean’s Carmike Cinemas boasted a line that ran outside of the building. The sold-out theater was packed full of couples celebrating their love, as well as groups of teenage girls who came to dream of what love their future may hold.
Julianne Hough (“Footloose”) stars as Katie. She ends up in the sleepy little town of Southport, N.C. after some circumstances force her to leave her prior life behind. The waterfront small-town atmosphere is the best place for the mysterious and intriguing Katie to meet Alex (Josh Duhamel, “Win a Date with Todd Hamilton”), a handsome widowed man with two young and adorable children, Lexie and Josh. Alex and Katie soon develop a relationship that tests them in ways most people would never dream of. They face immense danger from Kevin (David Lyons, “Eat, Pray, Love”), Katie’s police officer husband, who seeks her out. However, Katie and Alex do not give up the fight to preserve the love they have so strongly developed for one another.
In the end, will true love prevail? Let’s just say “Safe Haven” had the perfect message for hopeless romantics that spent their Valentine’s Day in front of the big screen.
The love story is not the only aspect of the movie that evoked emotions within audience. Alex’s children, Lexie (Mimi Kirkland) and Josh (Noah Lomax), steal the spotlight with their lively and loving personalities. After they learn of the heartbreaking loss of their mother, they still go through their lives acting goofy and wearing smiles. Their personalities are contagious, leaving you with a silly little smile across your face and the recognition of how wonderful life can be if you go through it with love.
Sparks has a reputation for writing tearjerkers, and “Safe Haven” is no exception. The surprise ending will have audience members in tears when they realize how goodhearted Alex’s deceased wife ultimately is. Make sure to bring your tissues.
If you are looking for a great book-to-movie adaptation, you won’t find it in “Safe Haven.” However, despite the changes that were made, the movie still keeps the basic plot line in tact. The main idea of a psychotic and abusive husband going to the ends of the Earth to find his wife is included in the movie. Likewise, Katie is still the girl with a mysterious past who captures the attention of the kindhearted Alex, who goes beyond the typical means of southern hospitality to win her over. While the differences between the movie and novel are apparent, the movie is still worth watching.
“Safe Haven” is not your ordinary chick-flick. The story has a perfect mix of love, suspense and humor. It evokes many laughs, much anger and, of course, tears. Sparks pulls on your heartstrings and ultimately enforces the message that while there is evil and danger in the world, goodness and love can prevail.
If you are looking for a movie to show you the beauty that life holds, go see “Safe Haven.” You certainly won’t regret it.
