A Walk to Remember (2002)
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A rebellious high school student finds an unexpected connection with a reserved classmate while facing the consequences of his actions.
The story
In Beaufort, North Carolina, popular and rebellious high-school senior Landon Carter faces expulsion after a prank goes wrong. To stay in school, he must perform community service, including tutoring and participating in the school play. During these tasks, he begins to notice Jamie Sullivan, a reserved and modest classmate he has known since childhood. As they work together to prepare for the play, Landon and Jamie begin to develop a spark of affection. However, Jamie warns him not to fall in love with her, creating a tension between their growing feelings and the reality of their different lives.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After a prank leads to a serious injury, Landon Carter is forced to perform community service, including tutoring and acting in a school play. He is paired with Jamie Sullivan, a reserved girl who warns him not to fall in love with her. Despite her warning, they develop a deep bond while rehearsing. On opening night, Jamie's performance is stunning, and Landon publicly declares his feelings. After a series of events, including a public defense of Jamie against a cruel prank by his ex-girlfriend, Landon wins permission from her father to date her. They begin a romance, and Landon eventually learns that Jamie is battling leukemia. He becomes her support system, and they eventually marry in a church. Following her death, Landon continues to honor her memory, realizing that their love remains with him.
- First release year
- 2002
- Runtime (minutes)
- 102
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Adam Shankman
- Writers
- Karen Janszen · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Shane West · Landon Carter; Mandy Moore · Jamie Sullivan; Peter Coyote; Daryl Hannah
- Genres
- coming-of-age; romantic drama
- Themes
- romance; sacrifice; faith
- Tone and mood
- melodramatic; sentimental
- Premise and plot tags
- high school; illness; romance
- Source material / true-story basis
- Nicholas Sparks' 1999 novel
- Content notes
- language
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews, praised for the performances of the leads but criticized for its predictability.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 30% · scale: percentage · review count: 105; Metacritic · score: 35 · scale: 100 · review count: 26; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A to F
- Production trivia
- The film's setting was moved from the 1950s to the 2000s to appeal to teenagers.; The story was inspired by the life of Nicholas Sparks' sister, Danielle.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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