Not what you think: “Nights in Rodanthe”

This is not your typical romance, its not a boyfriend-girlfriend date movie, because this movie deals with some heavy issues… its also not typical because it doesn’t go exactly the way you think it might.

“Nights in Rodanthe”

(2008) (rated: PG-13 for some sensuality) (1 hr, 37 min)

Starring: Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Christopher Meloni, James Franco, Viola Davis, Scott Glenn, Pablo Schrieber, Mae Whitman

Genre: Drama/Romance

The Plot: A doctor who is traveling to see his estranged son sparks with an unhappily married woman at a North Carolina inn.

MY TAKE (spoiler free):

“Nights in Rodanthe” marks a reunion of sorts for Lane and Gere, the two hadn’t been on screen together since 2002’s “Unfaithful”, and 1984’s “Cotton Club” but this is not a chick flick in the way you may be used to… this movie deals with a lot of heavy issues like divorce, death of a family member, medical ethics, and broken relationships with family.   This isn’t a date movie for a young couple… more of a date movie for a couple that has been together longer and can handle the emotional ups and downs this movie takes you through.

While this is in some ways different, it is very predictable up to the movie’s twist - which I will not ruin.   The acting is very good except for some of Gere’s acting in the first half of the movie – it feels a little fake or shallow… but as his character changes.. so does his acting – delivering more of a performance we are used to seeing Gere give.  

The supporting cast are great additions that really help this movie standup: Scott Glenn gives another great performance as the husband of Gere’s patient… James Franco gives a short, but emotional turn as Gere’s estranged son… Viola Davis is believable as Lane’s best friend and owner of the Inn, and 20 year old Mae Whitman pulls off the role as Lane’s stubborn teen daughter. 

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

The movie is better than some Romantic Dramas, and certainly one of the better ones this year, but its not likely to win any Academy Awards or make a lot of money at the box office… I give it 7.0 out of 10…. it will do well as a rental and isn’t a bad time/money investment.

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

 “Nights in Rodanthe” poster courtesy Warner Bros.

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