DVD Reviews: A Walk to Remember

Mandy Moore sheds her “Love is like candy” image and stars in a more earnest romantic role in A Walk to Remember.  It is about life’s journey, coming of age and most importantly love.  It shows that each and every one of us can change throughout our lives no matter how for away we are from our destiny.  It is a thoughtful film tackling many issues that face society and each and every one of us at some stage in our lives.  Mandy Moore stars as the female lead and does an excellent job as leading actress showing that love is not like Candy and there is more meaning to life. 

Landon (Shane West) is a school jock with callous disregard for other people’s feelings.  He is popular, cool, funny and confident, everything that Jamie (Mandy Moore) is not.  After Landon plays a prank on a student that goes horribly wrong he is sentenced to tutoring a young student and to participate in the school play.  He meets Jamie who is conservative, serious but certainly not lacking in excessive profoundness and intelligence.  Slowly Landon and Jamie become closer after an initial distant, coarse relationship.  Events unfold that develop the relationship further until a twist occurs which changes the tact of the relationship altogether. 

Apart from the serious delivery of this film it is done well especially Mandy’s performance which will amaze the viewer.  Her role is done with maturity and caution, which to the average viewer is quite convincing.  Mandy sings in small parts to remind us of her foundation of stardom.   

Landon’s right of passage is interesting and is a treat to watch.  He slowly metamorphosis with help from Jamie and becomes more thoughtful and sensitive in conduct.  There are some magical moments in the leading romance to stay in true Hollywood format.  It is entertaining especially to young people and will produce a few rights of passage of its own on impressionable young minds. 

The music and sound are extremely good and you’ll find yourself humming to Mandy’s performances throughout.  Sound is in Dolby 5.1 format and uses all speakers in this setting.  There is no low-level noise for those techies out there that want to know all the technical stuff. 

The extras are great and entertaining especially for youngsters that idolise Mandy Moore.  The director is very happy and proud of his film and his passion for the movie is evident throughout his interviews.  The interviews are informative and add a background and understanding to the story.  This is a great feel good film recommended to youngsters aged between 15 and 20 especially school goers.