‘Dear John’ is not what you’d expect

The Autism News | English

By Nate Sunderland | Rexburg Standard Journal

For all those men inwardly groaning at the prospect of taking their significant other to a “chick flick” this Valentine’s Day, “Dear John” may be a pleasant surprise.

Starring G.I Joe’s Channing Tatum as U.S. Army Special Forces John Tyree, and starring Mamma Mia’s Amanda Seyfried as conservative college student Savannah Curtis, “Dear John” is most definitely a love story – but certainly not what you’d expect.

The premise of the film is that after a chance encounter on the beach during Spring Break, and a whirlwind two weeks, the couple falls “deeply” in love.

Knowing that their time together will soon end, the couple promises to stay together no matter what. And when Tyree goes back into the armed service, the film centers around their correspondence.

At first glance, you’d think you could predict the ending of this film – but you’d be wrong. The story does not follow the traditional love story format.

In fact, the main character’s relationship almost becomes secondary to the story.

This is due to two special and very interesting characters.

One is a young six-year old boy named Alan (played by Braden Reed), who suffers from somewhat severe autism and who has a special relationship to Savannah.

The other is John’s father, played masterfully by Richard Jenkins.

The film tells how Jenkins’ character, simply called “Mr. Tyree,” has raised John single-handedly, but shows that he also suffers from a mild but very apparent form of autism.

Due to a series of unexpected twists, the focus of “Dear John” shifts to the incredible and intense relation between father and son.

Generally, discussions about autism deal with how parents handle autistic children. So it is a rare occasion that the topic of children dealing with an autistic parent is presented, and “Dear John” does it in a moving and thought-provoking way.

“Dear John” becomes less about an intense romantic relationship and more about how mental disability (in this case autism) in those you love affects strong romantic relationships.

When I saw the previews for this film I was very pessimistic – but I was wrong. Despite its soppy romantic premise, I absolutely loved this film, because it was different and highlighted a social issue that is rarely dealt with.

This film gets a BURNING HOT (5 of 5) rating. I loved this film and I know my wife will love this film – so don’t be scared to go see this chick flick.

RATING: BURING HOT (5 of 5)

Directed by Lasse Hallstrom and produced by Relativity Media, “Dear John” is Rated PG-13 for some sensuality and violence.

Source: http://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/articles/2010/02/08/movies/48.txt

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