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Based on the #1 New York Times Best Seller from celebrated author Nicholas Sparks comes this tender, romantic drama about the timeless power of love. When former high school sweethearts Dawson and Amanda (James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan) meet at a loved one’s funeral 20 years after tragedy separated them, their love is reignited. As they recall and relive the past, they come to a deeper understanding about the choices they’ve made. Also starring Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato, and featuring beautiful scenery along with music by Lady Antebellum, The Best of Me is a powerfully romantic story of love, hope and second chances.
Bonus features:
- Tears Of Joy New Storyline And Alternate Ending
- Nicholas Sparks Interviews – Michelle and James
- Nicholas Sparks Interviews – Liana and Luke
- Commentary by Director Michael Hoffman
- Music Video “I Did” – Lady Antebellum
- Deleted Scenes
- Along For The Ride
Well. After all of these years I can finally say that I’ve seen a movie based on a Nicholas Sparks book. And I’m glad that I have. I really enjoyed this movie, despite hubby’s declaration that it is a “chick flick”. The version of the movie that I saw, the Tears Of Joy edition, has two versions of the movie. One is the version that was shown in theaters. The other is an alternative version, with some different scenes and writing and a very different ending. It makes the edition a great fit because you can watch both and see which you prefer.
The movie opens in present day, but quickly switches back and forth between present day and twenty years prior, when the main characters Dawson and Amanda are teenagers. Dawson and Amanda come from two entirely different backgrounds. Amanda comes from a family with money. Dawson has an abusive father who enjoys bullying others and breaking the law. Dawson runs away from home and winds up staying in the garage of a man named Tuck. As teenagers the two are attracted to each other, but Dawson pushes Amanda away. Finally the two admit their feelings for each other and are in a relationship. Amanda’s father believes that his daughter deserves better. As such he offers Dawson money to stay out of his daughter’s life, an offer which Dawson turns down. A horrible accident involving the death of a friend finds Dawson in jail for several years. Rather then see Amanda waste years of her life waiting for him while he is in prison Dawson just refuses to see her anymore.
Present day, Dawson works on an oil rig, and has just survived a horrible accident on the rig. Amanda is married (unhappily) with a teenage son. The two see each other again after Tuck dies and they attend the reading of his will. It becomes obvious that neither has ever fully gotten over the other. As they are taking care of Tuck’s final wishes they open up and discuss the past and reconnect.
After spending a couple of days together and rekindling their feelings for each other, the two go back to their lives. Dawson believes that Amanda will likely stay committed to her marriage and family. After arriving home, Amanda realizes that her marriage just won’t work. She decides to break it off, but learns that her son has been in an accident. Dawson finds himself trying to save a childhood friend’s son from the unsavory lifestyle he is drifting into – a lifestyle underneath the thumb of Dawson’s father. Dawson once again must go head-to-head with his father. Dawson removes the boy from his father’s house. He finds himself in physical danger from his brothers, who he defends himself against. Dawson’s father takes action. Amanda learns her son will get the transplant he needs. It is only a year later, when her son learns the name of his donor, that we learn that Dawson was killed by his father and that Amanda’s son was the recipient of his organ donation.
Here’s the official trailer.
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