OK for kids 14+
Predictable romantic drama lacks depth.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this true story-inspired emotional drama, which is cut from the same cloth as the very romantic The Notebook, also stars Rachel McAdams (here she plays a young artist who wakes up from a coma with absolutely no idea that she's happily married to Channing Tatum). It's a tearjerker that deals with some heavy material, including family estrangement, infidelity, divorce, loss, and identity. Expect sexual innuendo, kissing and making out, and partial nudity (a man's backside), as well as some swearing ("s--t," etc.) and social drinking. The sexual content is presented within the context of a couple's deep love for each other.
- Families can talk about The Vow's messages about relationships. What is it saying about marriage? The nature of love? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding relationships.
- Do you consider Paige a role model? Why does she let others make decisions for her? How does she break out of this rut?
- The movie was inspired by true events. How accurate do you think it is? Why might filmmakers change the details of a true story when making a movie?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie's main messages are that we should accept everything that comes our way and try to take it in stride and that love can conquer all (even if "all" includes extreme amnesia and strong parental opposition). Also, if you love someone, set them free. If it's meant to be, it will be.
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Role models: Leo is very patient and gentle with Paige, who tries to respond in kind but doesn't always succeed. Their friends appear very supportive. And even Paige's parents, though deeply flawed, come around in the end. On the other hand, the movie doesn't present Paige as particularly strong/empowered, especially post-accident; it's as if it robbed her of the ability to think for herself. And a family snubs a young man apparently because he's not as well-off as they are (they have the bigger house, better car, more expensive clothes, etc.).
What to watch for
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Violence: A pivotal car crash sends one main character through a windshield, with glass breaking and serious injury. One guy punches another. Some yelling.
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Sex: A man's naked backside is glimpsed; but even more frequently on display are his pectorals, since he often appears shirtless. A woman strips to her underwear to jump into a lake. Some kissing and making out. A couple is shown entwined under a sheet; they're presumably naked underneath.
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Language: Fairly infrequent use of words like "s--t," "c--k," "d--k," "hell," "goddamn," "ass," "damn," and "oh my God."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some social drinking at parties and restaurants.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Amazing Love Story! by tysmommy916
I absolutely LOVED this movie. The acting was great you really felt the emotions and love fthat the couple has for one another. I think this movie is best for teens on up. I won't spoil the ending but I do believe they could have made the movie a little longer and change the ending a little. I want to see this movie again.
3
Big Let Down Ending by thetitans
The movie has some cute and funny moments. The romance idea was sweet and touching at times. Definitely a good movie to watch if you are showing your love for your significant other, but when the end of movie came, it was the biggest disappointment ever. Don't worry, I won't ruin it for you, but the end seemed like the production ran out of money and just decided "We're done." They then follow the ending with some text stating that the movie was based on a true story.
I would recommend seeing the movie but not in theatres. Wait till it comes out on DVD or stream it online.
2
The Vow by purplespots500
It looks amazing but it wasn't as good as expected. The whole movie just made me mad especially the ending. WHAT A BUMMER :(
The only thing good about it was Channing Tatum
I mean seriously if you woke up in a hospital and channing tatum told you he was your husband, he is you husband..no questions asked :)
5
LOVED IT! by griggsfamilylmlc
a good story on how God has a plan for some one's life. All the actors did amazing. The story line was well played out, I can not wait to buy it!
5
THE VOW by Trhodes11
I absolutely loved this movie ! I would recommend to others it was surprising and dramatic. It left me breathless and made me wanna see it again and fall in love all in one day. If you haven't seen it you must go see it, it is the truth definition of what love is and how far someone will go to get the one they love back.
4
Vow to go see it by Darkola
I went to this because my wife wanted to see this movie, and yes it is a chick flick, but in all honesty, the story, the acting, and the movie itself surprised me. I did not read the book so can not compare story to story, this movie isnt an over the top movie, its probably a movie that could have went right to tv, as movies like this, I dont believe have large budgets, but women do need their share of movies to see, so I would recommend this one as a go see movie, that I as a husband, wasnt bored or disappointed with, and thought it to be a good story, not the same old love story in many movies past, I'd give this 2 1/2 stars myself.
4
The Vow by EmmaLeah05
This movie was pretty good! It wasn't as predictable as your standard "chick flick." I would have hoped for a bit more at the end but was still worth the money to go see. Guys, it's not as lovey dovey as you think....it's really not too bad. Take your wives/gf's to go see it, they will love you for it.
3
With A Little Polish, Could Have Been Better by dhaldenwang
Its a nice movie, but like others have said the movie is downright frustrating at times. Be prepared to have emotional blue balls at the end because there is no fulfilling release for the emotional build up throughout the movie. You want to see a big cry scene where they fall in love at the end, but it doesn't happen. All you get is a line about a restaurant with a smile and then the credits roll with a "they were happily ever after". The movie felt incomplete.
4
The Vow - SUPER CHICK FLICK by holmes9
After being forced to watch The Vow with my girlfriend on Valentine's Day, I realized one critical point: I DO NOT LIKE CHICK FLICKS! However, to be fair, since I did watch the movie in its entirety, I feel obligated to express my opinion.
This movie is actually not that bad. My girlfriend and I were not to fond of the ending, but in general, the movie was survivable. My girlfriend loved the movie, and rightfully so (she loves any and all "chick flicks"). The storyline was just a highly unlikely, yet extremely difficult subject matter. This made the movie very difficult to watch sometimes because it was hard to watch the plot unfold. I would not wish this situation (plot of the movie) upon any couple, and I would not be able to put myself in Channing Tatum's shoes.Some points during the movie got extremely sappy, but that just comes with the genre of film. I was not impressed at all with Channing Tatum's acting during the film. However, all in all, it was a pretty good movie.