The Longest Ride (2015)
Rated PG-13 / 139 mins / Drama, Romance
Released April 10, 2015
Stars: Scott Eastwood, Britt Robertson, Alan Alda, Jack Huston, Oona Chaplin...
Director: George Tillman, Jr.
Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks
"Two Couples. Two love Stories. One Epic Tale."
I went to see The Longest Ride this past weekend with my hubby at our favorite theater, The Grand at Pier Park. The movie is based on a novel by the same name written by Nicholas Sparks. Many people know Sparks' work as he has written numerous novels (i.e. The Notebook, Dear John, The Best of Me, Safe Haven.....).
Nicholas Sparks is a fantastic writer! He has a way of being predictable but still interesting. In his books you can pretty much bet that there will be love and loss, there is usually someone expressing their love in writing (such as through letters), there is some connection to war, and almost always someone dies. One thing is for certain - you will need your tissues because there are bound to be tears at some point. I am always impressed with how Nicholas Sparks manages to be so predictable but still every story is somehow different. A sign of a great author....make sure the reader knows what they are going to get but shake things up.
Take some time and read some of his many novels. You can find information about them here:
Nicholas Sparks Official Page
If you are already familiar with his novels you know what to expect from a movie based on of them. Sometimes novels don't translate to the screen as well as they did on the page...especially romance. Everybody has different images in their head while reading...and Hollywood doesn't always make the right choices when casting. But this movie didn't disappoint.
**Some spoilers ahead**
The Longest Ride follows the story of Luke Collins (played by Scott Eastwood) and Sophia Danko (played by Britt Robertson) as a couple of star-crossed lovers whose lives intertwine with Ira Levinson (played by Alan Alda). Luke is a former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback after recovering from a traumatic injury in hopes of earning enough money to save the family ranch for his mother (played by Lolita Davidovich). Sophia is a Wake Forest University art student about to graduate and begin her career in the NYC art world. Sophia is dragged by her friends to a local rodeo where she sees Luke for the first time. She later meets him at a party and a relationship begins.
After a date late one evening, they meet Ira when they rescue him (and his box of letters), after he wrecks his vehicle in a thunderstorm. Sophia (and later Luke) begin spending time with Ira while he recovers in the hospital and later at his home. During the visits Ira shares stories of his wife Ruth (played by Oona Chaplin), and the love they shared while Sophia reads the letters in the box to Ira. The letters are love letters from Ira to his wife, who also happened to love art.
The movie shows Ira and Ruth's love story through flashbacks played out beautifully by Jack Huston and Oona Chaplin. The resounding theme of the movie comes in advice from Ira to Sophia - "Love requires sacrifice." All relationships face challenges, but with sacrifice (and hard work) these challenges will result in infinite rewards. You already know this is a romance so you know there are rewards. And while the movie is still predictable it is well worth watching and taking the ride with both of these couples.
IMDB page: IMDB - The Longest Ride
Official Site: The Longest Ride
And now just a few things about some of the cast.
I have to mention Alan Alda. He was fantastic in this movie. I don't think I ever seen him play a role quite like this. He's always the funny guy or the man in charge (at least in appearance). In this movie he was a feeble old man...and he played it beautifully.
You can see his complete acting list here: Alan Alda - IMDB
Jack Huston plays the younger version of Alan Alda's charachter and is fantastic to watch. He is very easy on the eyes and a brillian actor.
You can see his complete acting list here: Jack Huston - IMDB
Oona Chaplin, who plays Ruth, is also great to watch. She has a captivating beauty that's not the classic mold. I'm sure many are already familiar with her from her work on Game of Thrones.
You can see her complete acting list here: Oona Chaplin - IMDB
I was a little concerned about Britt Robertson playing the female lead against Scott Eastwood before seeing the movie. I really like her as an actree bu she seems so young to me. Well, since she was born in 1990 she is still young. But Scott Eastwood is only 4 years older than her so the age span isn't really an issue. And she did a great job in this role. And the two of them together made a great couple.
You can see her complete acting list here: Britt Robertson - IMDB
And then there is Scott Eastwood....Yep, he's the son of Clint Eastwood...and looks so much like him. I mean...really, really like him. He was born Scott Clinton Reeves (his mother's maiden name) and made his film debut in Flags of Our Fathers (2006), directed by Clint Eastwood. I read in an article that he continued using the Reeves name when he began his acting career because he didn't want to get jobs just because of who he was. That's commendable...but there is NO way you can look at this boy and his handsome face and not know who is father is. I've seen him in some other stuff, including some of my favorite TV shows (Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.) but he really shows his stuff in this movie (and I'm not ONLY referring to the nice butt shot). He does a great job acting in this role and I can't wait to see more of him on screen.
You can see his complete acting list here: Scott Eastwood - IMDB
And for your viewing pleasure....
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