After an automobile crash, the lives of a young couple intertwine with a much older man, as he reflects back on a past love.
Director:George Tillman Jr.
Writers:Nicholas Sparks (novel),
Craig Bolotin (screenplay)
Stars:Scott Eastwood,
Britt Robertson,
Alan Alda |
See full cast and crew »
Storyline:Based on the bestselling novel by master storyteller Nicholas Sparks,
THE LONGEST RIDE centers on the star-crossed love affair between Luke, a
former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback, and Sophia, a
college student who is about to embark upon her dream job in New York
City's art world. As conflicting paths and ideals test their
relationship, Sophia and Luke make an unexpected and fateful connection
with Ira, whose memories of his own decades-long romance with his
beloved wife deeply inspire the young couple. Spanning generations and
two intertwining love stories, THE LONGEST RIDE explores the challenges
and infinite rewards of enduring love.
- Written by
20th Century Fo
The Longest Ride Movie Reviews:
Looking for a romantic getaway, but can't afford a trip to Paris, Hawaii, or the Poconos? How about a trip to your neighborhood movie theater to see a film based on a Nicholas Sparks novel? He has published 18 books, most of which have been romance novels and 10 of those have been adapted for the big screen. With Nicholas Sparks, you get a romantic story that takes many years to unfold. (And sometimes it's two stories for the price of one!) The romance usually involves two very different people you wouldn't normally expect to get together. Yet, one of them, usually the man (believe it or not), expresses his love in writing, also usually over a long period of time. You're likely to get to see the scenery of the great state of North Carolina, oh, and the guy is probably going to go to war at some point (World War II as often as not). And, you might even get a surprise ending at no extra charge! Just be forewarned, at least one of the main characters is probably going to die before the movie is over. (Kleenex not provided.)
Yes, I'm talking about "The Notebook" (2004), "Dear John" (2010) and, of course, "The Longest Ride" (PG-13, 2:19). Am I saying that all Nicholas Sparks stories are the same? No, but the man does seem to have hit on a formula that works for him. After all, big screen versions of his novels have brought in over $800 million at the box office, worldwide. It's also interesting to note that three of those movies have surpassed the $100 million dollar mark and were separated by between 5 and 6 years. How long has it been since that last $100 million Nicholas Sparks adaptation? You guessed it – between 5 and 6 years. So, is the newest Nicholas Sparks romance his next big hit? I'd bet a gold belt buckle on it!
Britt Robertson plays Sophie, a dedicated Wake Forest University senior year art student who has already lined up an internship at a major New York City art gallery. Scott Eastwood (he, of the Hollywood Eastwoods) plays Luke, a bull rider who's hoping to earn enough money to save the family homestead for his mother (Lolita Davidovich) – and become the world's top-ranked bull rider in the process. Sophie's the kind of girl who has to be dragged away from her books by her sorority sisters for a night out at the rodeo and Luke's the kind of guy who doesn't seem to care about much beyond his eight seconds of fame. But when a pretty young filly catches his eye, he's old fashioned and gentlemanly enough to insist on being the one to call first and to plan a very romantic first date for her. He's also the kind of guy who would pull over on a rainy country road when he thinks he sees something through a broken guard rail and then risk his life to save the car crash victim whose vehicle is on fire.
As different as Sophie and Luke are, they're both people with goals, dreams and a lot of focus. They're also people who, when they fall in love, fall hard enough that they're forced to reexamine their priorities. Their love story unfolds in this movie parallel with flashbacks of the love story between Ira (Jack Huston) and Ruth (Oona Chaplin, from "Game of Thrones"). Ira and Ruth's story begins in 1940 when Ruth, an Austrian Jew, and her family, flee Hitler's Europe and settle in North Carolina, where they attend Ira's synagogue. Ira, (played as an old man by Alan Alda), is the man Luke pulled from that burning car and whom Sophie befriends after reading some of the love letters that Ira asked her to save from his car's passenger seat. Love isn't easy for Sophie and Luke or for Ira and Ruth, but as old Ira tells Sophie, "Love requires sacrifice."
"The Longest Ride" is a title that carries different meanings in this movie, much like the dual love stories that play out on the screen. Both actors in each relationship share an easy chemistry and are adorable in their courtships and believable in their love. Throughout the movie, the two stories may compete for screen time, but they complement each other beautifully. They also both wrap up with endings worthy of "The Notebook". Speaking of "The Notebook" (which I've seen at least twice), as much as I enjoyed it, I happen to feel that this movie is even better. Rich in metaphors, and deep in emotion, "The Longest Ride" is, at times, as predictable as any Nicholas Sparks story. Predictable, but powerful. And enjoyable, especially if you like romances.
If you like this movie, you're in luck. You can see Britt Robertson co-starring with George Clooney in "Tomorrowland" next month and Scott Eastwood has several films in the pipeline over the next year or two. Oh, and that Nicholas Sparks guy has another novel being made into a film as I write this review. ("The Choice" is due next year.) If you like romances, but don't care for Nicholas Sparks or for this particular movie, you might want to check out the somewhat similar, but non-Sparksian "Letters to Juliet" (2010) or the current version of "Cinderella". Either way, any Nicholas Sparks haters notwithstanding, I'm giving "The Longest Ride" an "A-".
The Longest Ride Movie Reviews:
Looking for a romantic getaway, but can't afford a trip to Paris, Hawaii, or the Poconos? How about a trip to your neighborhood movie theater to see a film based on a Nicholas Sparks novel? He has published 18 books, most of which have been romance novels and 10 of those have been adapted for the big screen. With Nicholas Sparks, you get a romantic story that takes many years to unfold. (And sometimes it's two stories for the price of one!) The romance usually involves two very different people you wouldn't normally expect to get together. Yet, one of them, usually the man (believe it or not), expresses his love in writing, also usually over a long period of time. You're likely to get to see the scenery of the great state of North Carolina, oh, and the guy is probably going to go to war at some point (World War II as often as not). And, you might even get a surprise ending at no extra charge! Just be forewarned, at least one of the main characters is probably going to die before the movie is over. (Kleenex not provided.)
Yes, I'm talking about "The Notebook" (2004), "Dear John" (2010) and, of course, "The Longest Ride" (PG-13, 2:19). Am I saying that all Nicholas Sparks stories are the same? No, but the man does seem to have hit on a formula that works for him. After all, big screen versions of his novels have brought in over $800 million at the box office, worldwide. It's also interesting to note that three of those movies have surpassed the $100 million dollar mark and were separated by between 5 and 6 years. How long has it been since that last $100 million Nicholas Sparks adaptation? You guessed it – between 5 and 6 years. So, is the newest Nicholas Sparks romance his next big hit? I'd bet a gold belt buckle on it!
Britt Robertson plays Sophie, a dedicated Wake Forest University senior year art student who has already lined up an internship at a major New York City art gallery. Scott Eastwood (he, of the Hollywood Eastwoods) plays Luke, a bull rider who's hoping to earn enough money to save the family homestead for his mother (Lolita Davidovich) – and become the world's top-ranked bull rider in the process. Sophie's the kind of girl who has to be dragged away from her books by her sorority sisters for a night out at the rodeo and Luke's the kind of guy who doesn't seem to care about much beyond his eight seconds of fame. But when a pretty young filly catches his eye, he's old fashioned and gentlemanly enough to insist on being the one to call first and to plan a very romantic first date for her. He's also the kind of guy who would pull over on a rainy country road when he thinks he sees something through a broken guard rail and then risk his life to save the car crash victim whose vehicle is on fire.
As different as Sophie and Luke are, they're both people with goals, dreams and a lot of focus. They're also people who, when they fall in love, fall hard enough that they're forced to reexamine their priorities. Their love story unfolds in this movie parallel with flashbacks of the love story between Ira (Jack Huston) and Ruth (Oona Chaplin, from "Game of Thrones"). Ira and Ruth's story begins in 1940 when Ruth, an Austrian Jew, and her family, flee Hitler's Europe and settle in North Carolina, where they attend Ira's synagogue. Ira, (played as an old man by Alan Alda), is the man Luke pulled from that burning car and whom Sophie befriends after reading some of the love letters that Ira asked her to save from his car's passenger seat. Love isn't easy for Sophie and Luke or for Ira and Ruth, but as old Ira tells Sophie, "Love requires sacrifice."
"The Longest Ride" is a title that carries different meanings in this movie, much like the dual love stories that play out on the screen. Both actors in each relationship share an easy chemistry and are adorable in their courtships and believable in their love. Throughout the movie, the two stories may compete for screen time, but they complement each other beautifully. They also both wrap up with endings worthy of "The Notebook". Speaking of "The Notebook" (which I've seen at least twice), as much as I enjoyed it, I happen to feel that this movie is even better. Rich in metaphors, and deep in emotion, "The Longest Ride" is, at times, as predictable as any Nicholas Sparks story. Predictable, but powerful. And enjoyable, especially if you like romances.
If you like this movie, you're in luck. You can see Britt Robertson co-starring with George Clooney in "Tomorrowland" next month and Scott Eastwood has several films in the pipeline over the next year or two. Oh, and that Nicholas Sparks guy has another novel being made into a film as I write this review. ("The Choice" is due next year.) If you like romances, but don't care for Nicholas Sparks or for this particular movie, you might want to check out the somewhat similar, but non-Sparksian "Letters to Juliet" (2010) or the current version of "Cinderella". Either way, any Nicholas Sparks haters notwithstanding, I'm giving "The Longest Ride" an "A-".
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