OK for kids 13+
Teens will swoon for far-fetched, syrupy romance.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this Channing Tatum/Amanda Seyfried romantic drama based on Nicholas Sparks' best-selling novel includes some non-graphic sexuality and wartime violence (including one scene in which two soldiers are shot) but is otherwise a pretty tame romance that's age appropriate for teens. The lead couple (who are college-age when they meet) share many intense kisses and spend one night together, but there's no nudity. Language includes a few uses of "s--t" and some exclamations like "oh my God." Two supporting characters -- one young and one adult -- are autistic, and their conditions are discussed several times. Positive messages include the importance of service and the many ways that people can help others in need.
- Families can talk about Savannah and John's romance. Does it seem believable? How does it compare to real-life teen relationships?
- Do Savannah's choices resonate with you? What do you think about her decision to put her love for John second to her sense of obligation to others?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie has several positive messages. Savannah doesn't judge John for being less wealthy or having a spotty past. John selflessly volunteers to re-enlist in the Army despite the fact it will keep him and Savannah away from each other. Savannah makes an enormous sacrifice to help others in need.
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Role models: Savannah and John are both admirable characters. Savannah spends the bulk of her spring break doing charitable work. She also graciously spends time with her neighbor's autistic son and John's autistic father. John is brave and loyal and takes his duty to his country seriously, extending his enlistment even though he could have been spending time with Savannah instead.
What to watch for
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Violence: John is shot while deployed in the Middle East; another soldier is killed. There are a few war scenes, but nothing is too graphic or bloody. John angrily punches a couple of men, giving one a black eye.
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Sex: Flirting turns to passionate kissing and one non-graphic love scene (only bare shoulders and backs are shown).
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Language: A few uses of "s--t," plus exclamations such as "hell," "ass," "son of a bitch," "goddamn," "Jesus," and "oh my God."
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Consumerism: Chevrolet and Volkswagen, but otherwise no overt product placement.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adults drink beer at a beach party and wine at dinner.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Dear John Review by vaanan_kannan
A totally sappy, romantic movie that pulls in all the standard romantic tricks in the book that may be too perfect to happen in real life...But hey...Thats exactly what I simply LOVED in Dear John. The 'Moon is your size of your thumb no matter if we are separated by half the world', perfect romantic moments...For those people who find all this cheesy, please stay miles away from this one...But for the rest of us, just enjoy the 'A*** moments.
The movie not only moves with the romance between the lead pairs, but also has undertones of the story of a Son's relationship with his father...Brief, but felt. The major part of the movie deals with distance and how it changes peoples feelings and perceptions no matter how strongly they feel. It shows how life and time throw up situations and how the lead pair move with them- "Time always runs out". A Romantic Movie that tugs at your heartstrings, unlike todays standard Rom-Coms.Loved it.
5
love story by movie_fan2010
Nichlous Sparks is one of my all-time fave Author's and i love it when his books turn into great awesome movies also a big fan of these 2 awesome young actor and actress! a also i had a personal experience i could totally relate too with this movie because its about a solider and his girlfriend and so this was a movie that so touched my heart!!!
1
not impressed by alasondra
i was really excited for this movie i thought it was going to be a really good film because the notebook was good and i was left really unimpressed. the plot was kind of depressing and i wound up getting frusturated with the characters, not because of the acting but because of the choices they made in the movie.
5
Dear John by lindseybbygrlxx
i didn't like or dislike the movie, i loved it. Dear John was an amazing movie. The way that the movie brought so many connections that you can personal relate to was amazing. The movie went into detail and made you think about things a lot more differently. Anyone would enjoy this movie, it's that good of a movie. I would see it again, many times. I loved it.
3
Sappy romantic movie by jrose74
Of course you already knew that it was going to be sappy, but it was nearly devoid of any type of real connection. The director tried like heck to get the audience to identify with these two, but it always felt like you were outside looking in, like the characters had some inside joke that was never to be shared with the audience. The couple in front of me loved it, as evidenced by their make-out session, but I just couldn't wrap my mind around Savannah or John. Slow moving, one-dimensional, and forgetable. Tatum and Seyfried did well with what they had, but it just dragged and dragged for me.
5
words can't describe it by thehungergamesfanatic
this movie was absolutely amazing!!! i think it was a perfect adaptation to the book, because it leaves out all the pointless details that the book felt compelled to add. amanda seyfried and channing tatum portrayed savannah and john seamlessly in my opinion, and the ending to the movie was much better than the book's, but i'm not gonna give it away :) i think pretty much anyone could and would enjoy this film because it includes many elements, such as romance, twists, and hardship. i will definitely be seeing this movie again very very soon :D
3
Completely changed ending from the book by marciamichele
It's true what they say, the book is always better than the movie! They definitely cut right to the chase in this movie and really cut out a lot of the meat that contained some real strife in the lives of the main character and his father. I was also disappointed that they completely changed the character that played Tim, his age and the part he played in the movie was very different from the book. If you just want a very sweet love story with not much else added in, then this is the movie for you! I would say it's great for young adults.
3
Dear John by kelleywhale
I thought this movie was alright. I had really been looking forward to seeing it, but I wasn't wowed by it. I just thought it was kind of alright. The storyline was ok, the first half was pretty good, but then it just went downhill and I was disappointed with the ending. I haven't read the book yet, but I hope the ending is more satisfying than the end of the movie... I wouldn't recommend seeing it in theaters. When it comes out on DVD maybe, but it really wasn't that great.
The acting was pretty good. I love Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum, and I think they both did a great job. It was the actual story that I didn't like, because the acting was very good.
If you like sad movies this is for you. I wouldn't recommend this for kids under 16ish... just because the target audience seems to be late teens, and possibly early 20s.
3
DEAR JOHN by nance2002
The movie was kinda boring. I read the book and the movie was much as the book. I have seen all movies by Nicholas Sparks books.They have all been good up to now. They should have added something to make it better.When "THE LAST SONG" is released I will wait and watch on DVD.I read the book and the movies leave no room for the imagination.