Adult romantic dramas do not appear in movie theatres with any sense of regularity. When a film actually appeals to this overlooked fan base, an audience is drawn to theatres who are not regular attendees. Nicholas Sparks is the king of the melancholy romance novel, which include “The Notebook” and “Message in a Bottle“. “Nights in Rodanthe” is the fourth film adaptation of a Sparks’ book. With an unproven television director at the reins, the movie does not have the consistent emotional impact of his prior film adaptations. This leaves audiences with an unused tissue for far too long in a self-described “tear-jerker.”
The setting is just as important a character in “Nights in Rodanthe” as the two lonely people that come to escape their troubled lives. Adrienne (Diane Lane; “Must Love Dogs”) has come to this North Carolina bed and breakfast to act as host during an off season weekend. She is a mother of two in the midst of a separation from her husband. He appears on her doorstep before she leaves, asking to come back into her life. Dr. Paul Flanner (Richard Gere) is her solitary guest at the inn on the beach, carrying his own emotional burdens. He has placed his profession above his family most of his life. The troubles of one have now spilled into the other, causing him to doubt himself as a doctor and a father. A storm is pressing down upon the seaside inn - emotionally and physically - drawing these two strangers together.
Both Lane and Gere put forth emotionally charged performances, tapping into the pain of their characters’ histories. Lane is more nuanced, the audience seeing the troubles weigh heavily upon her brow. Gere bursts forth with occasional angry outbursts, especially when confronted with the actual reason he’s come to this sleepy, fishing village. Scott Glenn (“Freedom Writers”) co-stars as a regular man who has lost something dear in his life and blames Dr. Flanner. His few scenes stand out as the most compelling, the man struggling for words to describe his pain. The burgeoning romance between Lane and Gere does not appear to be for passion or love but comfort. A shelter in the storm. The relationship a foregone conclusion, the director is not able to give this as much of an impact on the audience as it deserved.
Sparks is known for his morally complex storytelling, which this film doesn’t take full advantage of. Lane’s decision of who to be with is too clear and sufficient screen time is not given to build the argument for each side. The emotional hammer is dropped at the end of the story - in Sparks’ own effective fashion - but this scene is one of only a few that give the emotional impact audiences come to expect. “Nights in Rodanthe” deserved a better captain at the helm, who could have allowed the pain and eventual release to wash over us in a much more penetrating way.
Rated PG-13 for some sensuality.
