Safe Haven is a dull film that only has its twist going for it. I will say that the twist does pack a punch but not in a good way. It is a twist of excruciatingly obvious and shocking proportions that knows the idea of what a twist should consist of but has it in the wrong film. As for the film itself---it's an overlong, boring, cliche, terrible mess with characters that are either too nice or too nasty.It is based on a Nicholas Sparks novel but it's no The Notebook.
The film follows Katie (Julianne Hough) who is wanted by the police and escapes to a small, quiet town where she meets Alex (Josh Duhamel) and immediately falls in love. With no excitement in their romance...they do typical Sparks activities. They kiss, go on a boat ride, hold hands, etc. Oh yeah and since it is based on a Sparks novel...there is some danger involved. This time---that danger is a cop (David Lyons.)
The film is way too sappy for its own good. Its mesh of gooey "look at the couple" stuff and dangerous "is she going to get caught" aspects may seem like it would appeal to both genres. That's where the filmmakers are wrong. Just because you have thriller aspects in a syrupy chick flick doesn't mean it's still not a syrupy chick flick. Duhamel is a good actor and should try to get some better work than this film, When In Rome and Movie 43. Hough, however, should give up acting altogether. Between this film and the unbearable Rock of Ages....she has proven to audiences, critics and casting directors alike that filmmakers should just give up on trying to make her a star. She's not a good actress in the slightest and she is attractive in the most Plain Jane way possible. The fact that this was directed by Lasse Hallstrom depresses me. He used to be such a good director (see Chocolat, The Cider House Rules and the stunning What's Eating Gilbert Grape.) Now Hallstrom is stuck doing Safe Haven, Dear John and the much too sappy Salmon Fishing In The Yemen.
Safe Haven is a terrible film. It is boring, predictable and dumb in the worst ways possible. It never gets its two feet or even one foot off the ground. If you truly love someone this Valentines Day...don't take them to see this garbage. This film was made for those girls who want to get back on their cheating boyfriends on Valentines Day.
(1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for thematic material including threatening behavior and for violence and sexuality)
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