Perfect film for Valentine’s

LOOSELY inspired by a true story, would-be weepie The Vow stars Rachel McAdams as Paige, a young artist who wakes from a coma with no recollection of her husband Leo (Channing Tatum) – or the last five years of her life.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Feb 2012, 10:42 BST

The only things Paige can recall are that she was engaged to Jeremy (Scott Speedman) and close to her wealthy parents (Sam Neill and a scene-stealing Jessica Lange).

She only remembers a life that ended four years ago and initially feels most comfortable returning home with her parents, but after Leo convinces Paige that they have a love that he believes will bring her memories back she agrees to try to return to her normal way of life in the hopes of regaining the life and love she has lost.

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It is not an easy task for either party. Paige’s frustration with the stranger she is living with becomes more than she can handle.

Meanwhile Leo is doing everything he can to help Paige and only getting rejected.

This amnesia is not conveniently selective, nor easily curable with a second bang to the head. And even when it seems like an awfully convenient plot development will clear everything up, the story nonetheless refuses to go the easy way.

When Leo realises that his wife may be gone forever he makes one final attempt to have her fall in love with him all over again.

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Tatum is charming as the a man distraught at potentially losing the love of his life and McAdams is watchable as ever, with both stars making decent use of the script’s gently humourous potential.

Exuding her usual uncanny warmth on-screen, she uses that magnetism to fine effect here. You keep rooting for her, even when Paige gets, well . . . annoying, distancing herself from Leo, whom you know she’s meant to be with.

Both Tatum and McAdams have a history when it comes to weepies - Tatum’s turn in Dear John and McAdams’ in The Notebook - but don’t expect to need as many tissues with The Vow; it’s not quite as heart-wrenching which on one hand, makes The Vow a more sensible, realistic film – but it may leave expectant romantics with hankies to spare.

This is going to be the Valentine’s Day flick for the girls to see and it may not be all about the love story, but rather Mr Tatum - beware of the derriere shots ladies! Perhaps that alone is worth the ticket price!