The Vow (2012)

Directed by: Michael Sucsy | 104 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Jessica Lange, Sam Neill, Jessica McNamee, Wendy Crewson, Tatiana Maslany, Lucas Bryant, Scott Speedman, Joey Klein, Joe Cobden, Jeananne Goossen, Dillon Casey, Shannon Barnett, Lindsay Ames, Kristina Pesic, Brittney Irvin, Sarah Carter, Angela Vint

Lovers of the sweet romantic films ‘Never Been Kissed’ (1999), ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’ (2009) and ‘Valentine’s Day’ (2010) pay attention: the duo of screenwriters behind those films – Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein – have another romantic drama out. ‘The Vow’ (2012) fits perfectly into the above list and offers exactly what the target group is looking for: predictable melodrama with a sugary sweet twist. It is based on the true story of Krickitt Carpenter, a woman who loses part of her memory after a serious accident and no longer recognizes her husband Kim. In their own words, it was their faith in God and in their marriage vows that brought them back together. Need a bowl yet? In ‘The Vow’ the indestructible love that the male protagonist feels for his wife is the driving force.

In the opening scene we see the loving couple Paige (Rachel McAdams – who else would you say) and Leo (Channing Tatum) in a snowy Chicago. They have no idea that their lives are about to change drastically. Their car is suddenly hit from behind by a heavy truck and Paige flies through the windshield. When she wakes up, she no longer recognizes her husband. She has no memory of the last five years of her life, much to Leo’s chagrin. The parents of Paige (Jessica Lange and Sam Neill), wealthy types who haven’t had contact with their daughter for years since she dropped out of law school to attend art school in the city, see their chance to bring their daughter home again. to get. Leo does everything he can to make Paige fall in love with him again, but her former fiancé Jeremy (Scott Speedman), whom she does remember, seems to be throwing a spanner in the works.

Leo is one of those characters that actually looks too good to be true – and not just because of his muscular physique, which he’s only too happy to throw into battle. He loves his wife so much that he struggles to win her back. It doesn’t seem to bother him that things are not going so well with his independent recording studio; he just wants to be with Paige. He has to have the necessary patience for that, but he is willing to pay for it. Channing Tatum is not the most versatile actor, but he actually knows how to make a believable figure of this Leo. At least, he knows how to convincingly convey the unbridled love that his character feels for his wife. Tatum is also assured of the viewer’s sympathy. Rachel McAdams is cut out for this kind of role. Where Meg Ryan was the queen of romantic Hollywood films twenty years ago, she is now. It’s a good thing that debuting director Michael Sucsy has managed to find two protagonists who can make his sugary sweet story somewhat bearable. After all, isn’t the most important condition of a romantic film that you hope that the two central characters will come together (again)?

Like most films in this genre, ‘The Vow’ suffers from an overdose of clichés. Moreover, the emotions of the viewers are played hard and the music is used rather manipulatively. You can hardly blame Sucsy for directing his audience; it belongs to this genre, the audience that comes to these films generally finds it pleasant to be played. Nice example of how you get tricked: what percentage of the viewers will realize that the majority of the film was not even shot in Chicago, but in Toronto? Do movies like ‘Never Been Kissed’ make your neck hairs stand on end? Then ignore ‘The Vow’. This slippery romantic drama targets a very specific audience – teenage girls aged 15 to 45 – and they get exactly what they’re looking for: Channing Tatum’s toned buttocks, a wafer-thin love story that will make the enamel pop off your teeth and a predictable happy ending. They can also sit down for this!