‘The Vow,’ a romance soon forgotten

With Valentine’s Day coming up faster than anyone wants it to, it was no surprise to see previews for this drama-filled love story making girls of all ages swoon over Channing Tatum with his shirt off. I have to admit, this was the basis of appeal that inspired me to see the movie, but then there was also the promise of a plot full of butterfly-inducing romance.

The film opens with the ending of a seemingly perfect date between a happily married couple, Leo and Paige (Tatum and Rachel McAdams), but tragedy strikes shortly after when their tiny car is rear ended by a truck, sending Paige through the windshield. After she wakes up in the hospital, she looks at her husband and does not remember who he is. As the movie continues, Leo is on a mission to make his wife fall in love with him all over again. This already sounds difficult, but add in Paige’s overprotective, snobby family and the fact that she only remembers her life up to college and you have a real tragedy.

Leo and Paige had an adorable relationship; her a law school drop-out turned abstract artist and him a music producer. Everything about them was quirky and “unique.” When Paige loses her memory, she thinks that she is still in law school, still engaged to her ex-fiancé (Scott Speedman), and still has a relationship with her parents. The problem with this is that Leo awkwardly does not fit into the picture of Paige’s old life.

The movie sounds like it would be a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, but it was a little too dragged out. The depressing part in the middle with Leo trying to put all of the pieces of his old life back together goes on for an exaggerated amount of time. It doesn’t help that Tatum is not the best fit for his character, being more of a “thug” as we have seen in the past. He doesn’t do a very good job of conveying the emotion of what it would really be like to have the love of your life not even recognize you. McAdams, on the other hand, is a pro in romantic stories, but in this film she played the rational one, unblinded by love. It was a weird fit for both of the actors, and that weirdness did not go unnoticed.

The Vow was not a terrible movie, it was just a little bit awkward. It sends a strong message — to fight for the one you love. If you are one for romance that’s a little bit cheesy, this movie is for you. It is one to see with your friends; wear sweatpants and bring a box of tissues along, because director Michael Sucsy knows what he is doing when it comes to reading a woman’s mind on what they want in “Prince Charming.” It was a beautiful story, but it is one that will be forgotten when the next romantic drama comes out.