A Walk to Remember (2002)

Directed by: Adam Shankman

Produced by: Denise Di Novi, Hunt Lowry

Writen by: Nicholas Sparks (novel), Karen Janszen (screenplay)

Starring: Mandy Moore, Shane West
Music by: Mervyn Warren 

Cinematography: Julio Macat

Editing by: Emma E. Hickox 

Rated: PG

Release Date: 25 January 2002

Budget: $11 million

Gross: $47,494,916

Runtime: 102 minutes

Distributed by: Warner Bros.
Country: United States

Trailer: A Walk to Remember

Synopsis:

When a prank on fellow classmate Clay Gephardt goes off beam, well-liked but unruly Landon Carter (Shane West) becomes vulnerable to expulsion. His punishment consists of obligatory participation in many after-school activities, such as the drama club, where he is forced to communicate with quiet, kind and bookish Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore), a girl he has known practically all of his life but to whom he has rarely ever spoken to.

When Landon finds himself having trouble learning his lines he asks Jamie for help and begins practicing with her after school. Clearly, Landon is only using Jamie for her help with the play, and wants nothing more to do with her, especially not around his other friends. As he continues to spend more time with her, he is surprised to find that she is far from the person he thought she was, and begins to wonder who he really wants to impress. During the play, Jamie shocks Landon and the audience with her beauty and voice, and Landon even kisses her on stage. 

Soon after, Landon begins to try getting close to Jaime but she repeatedly rejects him. Landon's friends publicly humiliate Jamie by altering a photograph of her and placing her head on the body of a poorly dressed woman. Landon confronts his “friend”, hitting him and publicly defending Jamie. From then on, Landon and Jamie begin a relationship in which Landon dedicates most of his time to her. He learns that she has a wish list, and sets out to make all her dreams come true.  

Towards the ending of the film Jamie confesses to Landon that she has terminal leukemia and has stopped responding to treatments. Soon, word gets out about Jamie's illness. Eric, Landon's best friend, comes and tells him how sorry he for everything he has done to her. Jamie then tells Landon that she believes that God sent him to her to help her through her illness and that he is her angel. He later learns that his estranged father is going to pay for private home care for Jamie. Landon shows up at his father's door and thanks him before breaking down as his father hugs him.

Landon continues to fulfill various wishes on Jamie's list, such as building her a telescope so she can see a comet. Finally, Landon is able to grant Jamie's top wish by marrying her in the same chapel her parents got married in. Landon narrates that they had a perfect summer together with more love than anybody could possibly know and that she passed away shortly after. Landon himself becomes a better person through Jamie's memory, achieving the goals that he set out to do, like she did.

Four years later, Landon visits Jamie's father and tells him that he is forever grateful for Jamie. She turned his life around and because of her he had been accepted into medical school. You see, before meeting Jamie he had no future plans. Jamie's father tells him that he is proud of him and that if Jamie were alive she would be too.

Critical Response:

At the beginning of the film a classic religious theme is presented but only in the form of Jamie as seen through the immature eyes of Landon. He ridicules her Christian faith, indicating that what happens in life, good or bad, Jamie always attributes it to the “Lord’s plan.” It is obvious that Landon has no interest in religion and only attends church because his family expects him to do so. As he continues to get to know Jamie and fall in love with her his attitude begins to change. 

Through the development of the film the theme of one individual’s sufferings having a redemptive effect on another takes effect. You see, Landon finally embraces faith. When he finds out that Jamie is terminally ill he turns with all sincerity to religion.

Another important theme witnessed in this film is the coming of age. Throughout the film we see Landon go from a rebellious adolescent to a mature adult. His character is tested in the severest of circumstances and learns to be humble and generous. 

Finally, forgiveness and reconciliation become a theme of importance in this film. At the beginning there was a lot of tension amongst the town. Landon has no communication with his father (Worth Carter) who is barely ever home. Jamie’s father (Hegbert Sullivan) even has tension with Worth Carter because of a dispute over how he established his business. As the film progresses, things change and Worth Carter persuades Hegbert Sullivan to accept financial help to meet Jamie’s medical expenses, thus resulting in Landon forgiving his father.