Dear John not Notebook Remake

Note: the following piece was co-written with my co-editor for the Hilltop Views, Holly Aker, to view our complete Q&A with Tatum and Seyfried, visit the Hilltop Views.


Moviegoers looking to relive the heartfelt romance of 2004’s “The Notebook” will find some comfort in another film based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks.

While many fans are expecting another “Notebook,” Seyfried said that while the two bare similarities, “Dear John” is a darker, different film—the kind that isn’t released often enough.

“Dear John,” starring Channing Tatum (“G.I. Joe” and “Step Up”) and Amanda Seyfried (“Mean Girls” and “Mamma Mia”), tells the story of two young lovers who fight to stay together despite being separated by John’s deployment overseas.

“Dear John” unfolds over the course of seven years, during which the couple remains largely separated, staying in touch through a series of letters.

Tatum said he admired couples that stay together despite being separated by obstacles like time and distance.

“I can’t imagine being away from the person I love for that long,” he said. “I am seriously awed by people who do it.”

Playing the role of a soldier was not a new experience for Tatum, who also played an enlisted man in “G.I. Joe” and “Stop-Loss.” But while he has experience playing the part, he said he doesn’t pretend to know what it would be like to really live that life.

“It’s in no way, shape or form in my head that what I do makes me understand a soldier because me or anybody else that is not in the armed forces will never know what it’s like to be a soldier,” he said.

Seyfried agreed, adding her gratitude for deployed men and women.
“I really appreciate the sacrifices they’re making and also leaving their loved-ones, as well,” she said. “That’s a whole other story. Not only are you risking your life, but you’re risking what you have here in the states.”

Both recognized the challenges that come with long-distance relationships.

“When you have that much time away from somebody it’s hard to stay connected in each other’s lives, so that’s the one thing you’re really fighting,” Seyfried said.

Tatum agreed, and elaborated on the challenges.

“It’s painful, and it’s funny, the things that it does to you,” he said. “You start fighting over stupid things. All of a sudden you’re having an argument about nothing, and it’s really just that you miss the person so much.”

But Tatum does offer a message of hope.

“I absolutely think these relationships can work,” he said. “You just got to really want it. You can’t just give up on them.”

To see if love can conquer all for the young couple in the film, check out “Dear John,” in theaters Feb. 5.