Message In A Bottle

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 12, 1999

DVD Release Date: August 3, 1999

Plot 411: A woman on vacation finds a bottle washed up on the shore that contains a letter, and she is moved by its contents to uncover the author's true identity.

Review: This is another one of Nicholas Sparks' books that was made into a movie. If you know his material, the plots are always about an undying, eternal-type love that is in some way bittersweet. This movie does not deviate from the formula. Robin Wright Penn plays Theresa, a researcher for a Chicago paper. On her vacation in the Cape, she discovers a bottle buried in the sand. The bottle contains an incredible letter to someone named Catherine and is written by "G." Intrigued by this letter, Catherine discovers that the author is Garret (Kevin Costner) and tracks him down. I love the interaction between Penn and Costner, especially during his visit to Chicago. Their characters are so different from each other, yet they find themselves being drawn closer. The love story in this film wasn't as moving as say, The Notebook; however, that's not to say that there won't be a few tears shed. I always did like how Sparks manages to break down everyday life and get to the heart of the matter. He isn't afraid to show death, sadness or regret. He gives us the lives of regular people with realistic issues to overcome. Love is always the centerpiece of his books (and films). Most of the time, his films wrench all the feelings out of you whether you like it or not. Yes, he's that good.

Watch It: For a tear-jerker of a movie and very pretty sunsets on the water.

Skip It: If you're really in the mood for a Nicholas Sparks movie. My order of preference is: The Notebook, A Walk To Remember, Message In A Bottle and Nights In Rodanthe. In that order.