The Best of Me (2014)

A pair of former high school sweethearts reunite after many years when they return to visit their small hometown.

Director: Michael Hoffman
Writers: J. Mills Goodloe (screenplay), Will Fetters (screenplay)
Stars: James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan, Luke Bracey 



Storyline

Amanda and Dawson are soul mates who met as teens and were from different backgrounds. But circumstances would force them to part ways. 20 years later they are brought back together by the passing of a mutual friend. So they go back home to fulfill his final wishes and they run into each other. While Amanda is married, albeit unhappily, she still has feelings for Dawson but can't forgive him for pushing her away. Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com

Plot Summary

Plot Keywords: protective male | based on novel | heart transplant | cheating wife | infidelity | 
Taglines: You never forget your first love.
Genres: Drama | Romance
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for sexuality, violence, some drug content and brief strong language



Country: USA
Language: English
Release Date: 17 October 2014 (USA) 
Also Known As: Lo mejor de mí 
Filming Locations: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 

Box Office

Budget: $26,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend: $10,003,827 (USA) (17 October 2014)
Gross: $26,761,283 (USA) (9 January 2015)

Company Credits

Production Co: DiNovi Pictures, Relativity Media 
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro 

Technical Specs

Runtime: 118 min
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Color: Color
Aspect Ratio: 2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia
This the 9th film adapted from a Nicholas Sparks novel of the same title. 
Goofs
Dawson'S eyes change color from brown to blue through the years. 
Quotes
Young Amanda: Dawson, What would you risk for me? 
Younger Dawson: Everything. 
Young Amanda: Then let me love you like that. Please. 

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: The Best of Me/The Book of Life/Fury (2014) 
Performed by Phoebe Hoffman


Movie Reviews


Typical characters with an average and predicable story 24 November 2014 | by Chloe Gardner 
I'm a big fan of Romantic movies and the odd cringey film but i found this so typical and predictable. For the first time ever even i managed to predict the end which wasn't worth the build up created by the rest of the film. During scenes that were supposed to be emotional and sad i found myself laughing at how unrealistic they were.

The cast is slightly confusing. Maybe i can believe that the younger Amanda grows up to be Michelle Monaghan but i don't understand the thinking behind Young Dawson and James Marsden. Not only do they look nothing alike but Young Dawson doesn't even look young enough to be with Young Amanda.

I found myself much preferring the scenes with the young Dawson and Amanda in comparison with the older cast because i just found them so annoying. Michelle Monaghan's character seemed far to perfect with the typical problems with her perfect life.

Being the only two people in the cinema at the time, myself and my friend should have taken this as a hint. This is definitely no Notebook or Walk to remember.