Movie Review: The Vow

Title: The Vow
Director: Michael Sucsy
Year Released: 2012
Running Time: 104 minutes
Classification: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Romance

In this movie, an uncommonly attractive couple are injured in a car accident. The wife (Rachel McAdams) forgets all about her husband (Channing Tatum) and the husband tries to make her fall in love with him again. Though this premise is rife with potential, The Vow takes the easy path in how it deals with the couple's issues. Still, it's a pleasant film, romantic and good for when you want to give your brain a rest.

The pre-accident relationship is a perfect one, with a sweetness that's almost cavity-inducing. But hey, that's the fantasy, and it shows how our couple ~belong together~. When Paige forgets about Leo, you want them to get back together again.

I did like how their problems were fairly realistic – in fact, the most unrealistic part of it all was how upset Paige was upon discovering she was married to Channing Tatum (because she has eyes). But while their struggles post-accident ring true, they're not particularly challenging or dramatic. They're the kind of problems that would suck in real life, but make for mildly boring viewing. I found my attention drifting away every so often to ponder such exciting topics as whether I should do the laundry tomorrow and what I should eat for dinner. It's that kind of movie.

But hey, whatever, it's a nice-looking film with pretty colours. From the snow at the beginning to Paige's art to their improbably neat house – it's all quite aesthetically pleasing. This is, of course, in addition to our aesthetically pleasing leads. Indeed, if not for their looks and their acting, the film could have been a lot worse. Rachel McAdams is lovely as Paige, and though I have heard a lot about Channing Tatum's acting ability (or lack thereof) I thought he was fine as Leo; the slight awkwardness suited his character and the only unconvincing part of him was his being in the music industry.

It's simple romantic fare, dull yet enjoyable, idealised yet believable (probably because of the banality of it all). I wouldn't make a movie night out of this, but it'd be perfect viewing for when you're sick or when you're doing some kind of menial chore in front of the telly.


Alex's Rating: 3/5