When it comes to Nicholas Sparks films I put them into three categories: great/good, decent enough to watch and one and done. While most of the ones I’ve watch fall into the first two categories (mostly two) this 2016 romantic drama, and so far the last Sparks book to be adapted to film, most definitely falls into the one and done section in my book. Spoilers ahead as usual. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.
Veterinarian Travis Shaw (Benjamin Walker) is “bothered” by his new neighbor, medical student Gabby Holland (Teresa Palmer) when she accuses him, or rather his dog, of getting her dog pregnant (not the case). The two constantly get into little arguments whenever they meet; which Travis’s friends and sister Stephanie (Maggie Grace) are enjoying; telling him that he is in trouble. Despite Travis sort of being in an on/off relationship with his high school sweetheart Maggie (Alexandra Daddario) and Gabby is seeing a fellow doctor Ryan McCarthy (Tom Welling) the two spend a lot of time together. When Ryan goes away Travis and Gabby can no longer hide their feelings from each other and they have an affair, falling more in love. When Ryan comes back both have to make some serious choices. About as far as I can go without giving away the rest of the movie, but this is so predictable I’m sure it is not hard to figure out.
When I say I was smacking my hand against my head the entire time I watched this movie I actually mean it. While Benjamin Walker and Teresa Palmer are very attractive people and with the right script are decent enough to watch it does not make up the lack of chemistry between them nor in my opinion their performance; they were easily the better characters and parts of the movie but not by much. The writing as well as the story itself is not great, when I can actually predict what the next line is without reading the book that takes away the experience. Now I never want to discourage anyone from watching a movie, no matter how bad I think it is because my taste may be different from yours, so if ridiculously sappy Sparks movies are what you are into then by all means watch The Choice; if not then I would stay far away from this movie as you possibly can be.
Films or Television Worth Watching 