ironhorse_iv Review of Safe Haven

Safe Haven (I) (2013)

It's pretty safe to say, that I like this movie. This movie is my safe haven.

[7/10 · 23 October 2013]

Based on the novel from Nicholas Sparks, the best-selling author behind the hit films The Notebook and Dear John, comes an affirming suspenseful story about a young woman's struggle to love again after trying to escape her past in a new life in a new area. Directed by Lasse Hallström, the film follows the story of Katie (Julianne Hough) who just move in a North Carolina town called Southport after frantically being chased down by a Boston Police Officer Det. Kevin Thierney (David Lyons). She becomes friends with her new neighbor, Jo (Cobie Smulders) and also met widower, Alex Wheatley, (Josh Duhamel), the manager of a local convenience store, and his two children, Lexie and Josh (Noah Lomax). Alex immediately takes a liking to this new woman in his life, doing small helpful things, such as leaving an old bike at her house. Sooner than later, both fall in love in a predictable way, until Katie's haunted hidden past comes rushing back to her as Det. Kevin get closer to finding her. Now, both must find a way to overcome this coming threat. The movie has some really good mediocre suspense and intense twists in the plot-line. I love the idea of Det. Kevin Tierney searching for her, because he believes she is a wanted murder. How Jo seems to be hiding something from Katie as well. Still, the potential twists were too predictable to fall for, for the smart audience. Also, the movie still feels a little too safe. It has the same flat formulaic of other Nicholas Sparks, just told better. The best thing about this movie is the likability and chemistry between its main co-stars Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel's characters. I can see them as a couple. The child actors who play Duhamel's kids are terrific even if one of them looks like a young Fred Savage. I have to say the girl that play Lexie (Mimi Kirkland) is an adorable kid with some of the best one-liners of the film. Still, I was a bit tired of the ending canoeing, the beaches with virtually no one around, rusticity of the small town feel, and the laissez faire attitude of everybody that follows these books to movies. If you put on any other Nicolas Spark's novel turn to film with this, you might find yourself, asking yourself. Am I watching the same movie? This is the eighth Sparks novel to get the cinematic treatment and they all mostly look like the same. This movie just stands out more than the others. It's the best one since 2001's Notebook. In my opinion, Safe Haven the book is far superior to the movie. Jo is basically an afterthought. In the book, Jo has more a backstory that explains why she lives in Southport. In the movie, Jo just pops in and out of the story basically whenever it's convenient. Jo is one boring character who has nothing to do, but hang out with Katie. I have to say, give the character some depth. It's like she is 'lifeless'. I can understand taking out the religious elements that were present in the book for the movie to reach a broader audience, but I thought that it gave the story a certain depth and psychotic twist that made the villain seem so much more deviant than he appeared to be in the movie. In the book, Katie was more protected of the kids with all her heart in the face of danger, but in the film, Alex had to protect his children from the villain's actions. I felt bad for Alex and the kids because Katie cause more harm to them than joy most of the like. I wouldn't fell in love with somebody that put that much danger to my children. The only thing I like different about the movie then the book is the first degree murder plot. It add some really need suspense. Still, if you're a wanted fugitive with limited money. I really doubt, you're able to rent a cabin and get a job that easy. Seem kinda unrealistic to me. Without spoiling too much of the movie, give it a watch. It's way better than some other mediocre Lifetime TV Movie of the Week.