Movie Review: 'The Vow' a romantic comedy that bounces along

Submitted by Sam Bauman on Fri, 02/17/2012 - 6:11pm
By Sam Bauman

The film "The Vow," currently on view at the Heavenly Village Cinema in South Lake Tahoe, is a good bad film. The bad is the sweetness-loaded script and the apparently rock-dumb male lead, Channing Tatum, as Leo Collins. The good is co-star Rachel McAdams as Paige Collins. This is billed as a romantic comedy, ideal as a "date" outing. Maybe, but ...

Movie opens with a brief scene of now and then goes back to five years earlier when Paige and Leo exchanged vows in a yuppie-like wedding. Thus, "The Vow."

Back in current time, the two are happily riding when a truck comes up from behind and rams them into a pole or tree. Paige goes through the windshield in a burst of glass; Leo is unhurt.

Paige is unconscious in a hospital bed but regains awareness but with a big blank around the past; she thinks Leo is her doctor. Her parents (Sam Neill as Bill and Jessica Lange a Rita) want to take her home but Leo insists she's his wife and takes her to his very nice Chicago apartment.

He's crude, appears in the morning after sleeping on the sofa nude, but isn't upset while she naturally is. He attempts to woo her but is clumsy at best. They eventually make out on the kitchen floor but Paige still is in limbo land.

He crudely attempts to bring her up to date, taking her to her studio where she worked as an artist, sculpting mostly. And to the restaurant where he proposed to her and where baffling group of old friends greet and bewilder her.

Paige's parents eve eventually lure her home so that she can take part in her sister's wedding. She goes and Leo is despondent, an out-of-place guest at the wedding reception where Bill attempts to bribe him into a divorce, which he later agrees to.

Then the big secret comes out, that Bill isn't the straight arrow he pretends to be and that his wife stands up for him. Sort of romantic.

Happy ending? Of course, this is a romantic, commercial film. And if love is your things of the moment there might be some fun in it for you.

If you go, catch the twinkle in McAdam's eyes, her wide, expressive mouth saying much silently, her deft moments of comedy. As noted, she's the good. Tatum is bad, big and stalwart and hunky but not much of an actor. Neill is fine in an unsympathetic role as is Lange. And direction by Michael Sucsy is unobtrusive. Script is weak at best. The film is claimed to be "inspired" by actual events. Huh?

Why haven't I seen McAdams before?

— Sam Bauman

Cast
- Channing Tatum as Leo Collins
– Rachel McAdams as Paige Collins
- Scott Speedman as Jeremy
- Tatiana Maslany as Lily
- Sam Neill as Bill
- Jessica Lange as Rita
- Wendy Crewson as Dr. Fishman
- Daniel Tosh as Pootie Tang
- Lucas Bryant as Kyle
- Dillon Casey as Ryan
- Rachel Skarsten as Rose
- Kristina Pesic as Lizbet
- Brittney Irvin as Lena
- Jeananne Goossen as Sonia
- Jessica McNamee as Gwen
- Kim Roberts as Barbara

Directed by: Michael Sucsy
Produced by: Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Susan Cooper, J. Miles Dale, Jonathan Glickman, Austin Hearst, Paul Taublieb
Written by: Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein, Michael Sucsy
Cinematography: Rogier Stoffers
Editing by: Melissa Kent, Nancy Richardson
Running time: 104 minutes, rated PG13

Website Link

Sponsor Showcase

Motherlode Century

Welcome to the Motherlode Century! This amazing bicycling event will be held Sunday, May 20, 2012. Our mission is to provide you the best bicycle ride Northern California has to offer. We hope your positive experience here will not only compel you to participate every year, but will also entice you to return to enjoy a river trip, wine tasting or the many products this bountiful area has to offer. This century bike ride benefits the American River Conservancy, and Breathe California Sacramento Emigrant Trail charities.
Staged in the foothills of the Gold Country the Motherlode offers three ride options. The Gold Dust (31 miles), The Gold Nugget ( 67 miles), and the Motherlode (100 miles).
The start/finish and host camp is Earthtrek Expeditions located in Lotus, CA on the South Fork of the American River, in the beautiful Coloma Valley. This camp is our base for pre-ride check-in, and post ride dinner. Not only is this area a mecca for recreation, but also a center of fine food, wine and beer production.

Tahoe Powder House

Since 1994, Powder House has grown to become the largest and most
complete ski & snowboard rental shop in South Lake Tahoe, California.
For convenience and value of ski and snowboard rental packages, you
cannot beat the Powder House Ski and Snowboard of Lake Tahoe.

Please contact us by phone (530) 542-6222 or e-mail us with any questions you may have regarding Lake Tahoe ski and snowboard rentals, and accessories. Stop by and "check out" the very best ski and snowboard rental equipment on the market.

Use promo code “southtahoenow” to get 25% OFF on your next reservation at http://www.tahoepowderhouse.com

Tahoe Media Group
Tahoe Media is a full-service multimedia company whose success results from delivering targeted and measured results. Tahoe Media has a talented group of graphic designers, nationally recognized photographers, copy writers and software engineers. As technological innovators we can assist your company attain qualified connections and media reach. Our elite team translates our enthusiasm into consistent solutions and analytics.

Peace of Mind Float Spa

Peace of Mind Float Spa L.L.C. is Lake Tahoe's premiere Sensory Deprivation (Float Tank) destination. We provide 2 float tanks as well as a Far Infared Sauna and an Aroma Therapy Oxygen Bar to enhance your complete flotation experience. Operated by Karin and Darin Nobriga, long time Tahoe locals. We provide the most relaxing mind and body experience in the Tahoe basin.

We're located at 290 Kingsbury Grade, Stateline, Nevada next to the Goal Post and a quarter mile from the Stateline casinos. We offer local and casino employee discounts and encourage those who haven't floated, to try the most relaxing experience of their lives.
What is Floating?
Floating is a therapeutic treatment that isolates the user from environmental stimulus, greatly reducing stress, and easing the body into a state of equilibrium. Floating is also known as flotation therapy, floating therapy, float therapy, restricted environmental stimulation therapy (or REST), and Epsom salt hydrotherapy. The flotation tank is referred to as an isolation tank, sensory deprivation chamber, float tank, floating tank, and rest tank.

The flotation tank itself is a sensory deprivation pod with 10 inch deep water warmed to 93.5 degrees and enriched with 800 pounds of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). The tank has an advanced filtration/purification system that operates according to regulations from the State of Nevada.

The space inside is approximately 8 feet long by 4 feet wide. Although some may be wary of feeling claustrophobic the first time they float, the tank door opens freely and you are in complete control. You can come and go as you wish. You can also float with the door open. For those who would like audio stimulation, relaxing music is available.
The experience of floating is unique. Inside the tank you’ll float effortlessly on the surface of 93.5 degree water. Floaters feel a sense of weightlessness. That weightlessness, the temperature of the water, and the dark, quiet space of the tank allow the brain to ease into a theta* brain wave state. This usually happens in the second half hour of a one hour float session. First time floaters should not expect instant results. Generally it takes more than one float to completely “let go” and fully experience flotation.

Motherlode Century

Welcome to the Motherlode Century! This amazing bicycling event will be held Sunday, May 20, 2012. Our mission is to provide you the best bicycle ride Northern California has to offer. We hope your positive experience here will not only compel you to participate every year, but will also entice you to return to enjoy a river trip, wine tasting or the many products this bountiful area has to offer. This century bike ride benefits the American River Conservancy, and Breathe California Sacramento Emigrant Trail charities.
Staged in the foothills of the Gold Country the Motherlode offers three ride options. The Gold Dust (31 miles), The Gold Nugget ( 67 miles), and the Motherlode (100 miles).
The start/finish and host camp is Earthtrek Expeditions located in Lotus, CA on the South Fork of the American River, in the beautiful Coloma Valley. This camp is our base for pre-ride check-in, and post ride dinner. Not only is this area a mecca for recreation, but also a center of fine food, wine and beer production.