Hi J-14ers!
Okay, I'll admit it -- I actually really love Valentine's Day. My best friend Josh can attest to this fact since I used to insist that every February 14 he surprise me with some sort of funny-cute Valentine's Day gift. (His proudest find was a bouquet of brown-yellow roses -- who knew flowers even came in that color?!) It probably comes as no surprise then that I have a soft spot for cheesy romantic dramas. Of course, I love Rachel McAdams in The Notebook, but to be honest, it's Channing Tatum playing a heartbroken soldier in Dear John that really gets to me! So, I had been looking forward to seeing them together in The Vow ever since I first saw the trailer last year. (It also helps that it features my favorite song ever, "Enchanted" by Taylor Swift.) Check it out below:
The Vow tells the story of Paige (Rachel) and Leo (Channing), an artsy couple who have been married for just under a year when they get into a terrible car accident. After several days, Paige wakes up in the hospital unable to remember the last five years of her life. In her mind, she's still in law school, is engaged to her former boyfriend Jeremy, and has no idea who Leo is -- or how they met!
Paige's parents insist that she come home with them, but Leo thinks that returning to their routine will help her regain her memories. After several weeks, however, it's clear that her memory isn't going to be coming back anytime soon, so Leo hatches a plan to make Paige fall in love all over again. He shows her their wedding video, finds the original version of their heartfelt vows (written on cafe menus), and takes her to the place they first met to re-enact their first date -- but convincing her that they really are perfect for each other is no easy task and Leo's up against Paige's disapproving parents, her scheming ex-fiance, and Paige's almost entirely different post-accident personality.
If you're expecting a total feel-good romantic flick -- be warned! -- the ending doesn't tie the story together as much as I was hoping it would! There are also some very depressing scenes and generally, the entire idea of forgetting someone that you care so much about is a pretty sad thing to think about. (A heartbroken Leo re-telling the story of the first time that he and Paige exchanged "I love yous" is an especially tough scene to watch!) Still, I was hooked -- rooting for Paige to regain her memory and for Leo to win back the girl of his dreams. (Side note: Bring tissues!)
Are you planning on seeing The Vow this Valentine's Day weekend?
Let me know!
xoxo,
Katie, J-14 Editorial Associate
