The new filmic adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel is a little corny, a little sexy and for the most part rather obvious.  But its stars, Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough are compelling enough to maintain interest for most of the movie’s length.  And then there’s one whopper of a surprise.

Anyone who has seen Jennifer Lopez’s 2002 thriller Enough or last year’s The Lucky One has witnessed most of this movie.  Woman goes on the run from abusive husband, finds a small town in which to hide, falls in love with a local, then has to fight when her past comes calling.  It is a familiar, obvious tale made bearable mainly by director Lasse Hallström’s intricate attention to detail and commitment to character development.  Its characters are likable and enough mystery about the woman’s past is maintained that the film only falls flat at its desperate, fiery climax.

There’s only one real surprise, which genuinely caught me off guard, although I think I should have seen it coming.  It involves a character played by Cobie Smulders.  As the story progressed I thought her presence was odd but I didn’t put any importance on it, which was a mistake.  The revelation involving her is a doozy and it may affect how one feels about the finished film.  I’m still not sure whether that effect is positive or negative.

The production values are generally strong and it is always nice to see Julianne Hough in a bikini, but it is somewhat baffling to consider why a director with the talent and class of Lasse Hallström is spending his time on a movie like this.  On the other hand, it was Michael Apted who made Enough and Scott Hicks who made The Lucky One.  Evidently even the really good directors simply have to work once in a while, even on soft romantic revenge dramas like this.  ☆ ☆ 1/2.  23 February 2013.