The Best of Me

Name: The Best of Me
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: October 17, 2014
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 29
Cast: James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan

2014

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 71 Ratings

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5.4

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5.4	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 71 Ratings

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The Best Of Me

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Movie Details & Credits

Relativity Media | Release Date: October 17, 2014 | PG-13

Starring: James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan

Summary: Former high school sweethearts Dawson and Amanda find themselves reunited after 20 years apart, when they return to their small town for the funeral of a beloved friend. Their bittersweet reunion reignites the love they've never forgotten, but soon they discover the forces that drove them apart twenty years ago live on, posing even moreFormer high school sweethearts Dawson and Amanda find themselves reunited after 20 years apart, when they return to their small town for the funeral of a beloved friend. Their bittersweet reunion reignites the love they've never forgotten, but soon they discover the forces that drove them apart twenty years ago live on, posing even more serious threats today. Spanning decades, this epic love story captures the enduring power of our first true love, and the wrenching choices we face when confronted with elusive second chances. [Relativity Media]… Expand

Director: Michael Hoffman

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 118 min

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Critic Reviews

Bill Zwecker

Oct 16, 2014

The Best of Me was a better film than I expected. Much of that is due to the performances delivered by Marsden, Monaghan, Liana Liberato and especially young Australian actor Luke Bracey as the younger version of Marsden’s character. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Oct 16, 2014

What makes it slightly better than the others is an affable, low-key chemistry between James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan as star-crossed lovers. Read full review

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky

Oct 16, 2014

The Best Of Me is neither the best Sparks adaptation, nor the worst; it’s merely the most recent. Read full review

Stephanie Merry

Oct 16, 2014

Even as characters are tweaked and actors bring a slightly different energy than his other movies, The Best of Me is still the same mushy Nicholas Sparks adaptation with drama so overwrought audience members can’t help but laugh — at least until they’re sniffling during the closing credits. Read full review

James Rocchi

Oct 16, 2014

The bad news is that no matter how charming or fizzy the chemistry between the actors might be, they're still trapped in the dead, fake melodrama and brainless coincidences of a Nicholas Sparks story. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Oct 16, 2014

Sparks’s preposterous approach has crystalized into cliché. Read full review

Kimberley Jones

Oct 15, 2014

Already hobbled by an overwrought story that turns positively Hallmark-Movie-preposterous in its third act, journeyman director Michael Hoffman (Soapdish, The Last Station) can’t conceive of a single memorable set-piece or rouse his actors into action. By the time Marsden’s character has very polite sex with the love of his life with his pants still on, I was done. Read full review

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User Reviews

meydianarizki21

Apr 30, 2022

If you are looking for a movie that makes your heart wrench with romance, this is it.

This was easily one of the best romantic movies I have watched till date. If you are in the right mood, this movie will strike your core. It will shake you up, and drench you in every ounce of romance. IIf you are looking for a movie that makes your heart wrench with romance, this is it.

This was easily one of the best romantic movies I have watched till date. If you are in the right mood, this movie will strike your core. It will shake you up, and drench you in every ounce of romance. I don't usually cry while watching movies, but this one was an exception. The plot is very well woven and I ended up appreciating slightest of the elements. And of course, complementing the great story is the phenomenonal acting.

If you have recently watched an adaptation of Nicholas Sparks, like The Notebook, I would recommend holding off for a while and then watching this. In case you end up liking the movie, check out other movies based off Nicholas Sparks' novels.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

FlickLover

Jun 16, 2015

"You never forget your first love." Yes, "The Best of Me" could be considered cheesy romantic predictable fluff, but I enjoyed it. Maybe I'm guilty of projecting my own "first love" memories as I watched this film, but I don't feel guilty about that one bit. If you're a fan of romance,"You never forget your first love." Yes, "The Best of Me" could be considered cheesy romantic predictable fluff, but I enjoyed it. Maybe I'm guilty of projecting my own "first love" memories as I watched this film, but I don't feel guilty about that one bit. If you're a fan of romance, and you don't have a problem removing the "critics" hat for a trip down memory lane, and for those feelings you had... that still kind of have you, give "The Best of Me" a shot.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

lightdream

Apr 18, 2015

Overrated movie, with a predictable, but nice story. I don't think it was so bad, but it can't be called a good movie. I'm not sorry I watched it but I wouldn't do it again.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Annoymous1

Dec 13, 2014

A standard love story, and it's something that you'd expect nowadays. Its bad, but had its moments. But really, it could have done better. However, its a poorly executed movie.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

VinceRocks123

Mar 31, 2015

very disgusting film and another insult to my taste and intelligence the film falters with dull chemistry from James Marsden and the overrated talentless of Liana Liberato, I can just say Nicholas Sparks has no writing talent except give finding a terrible way to make more outrageous chickvery disgusting film and another insult to my taste and intelligence the film falters with dull chemistry from James Marsden and the overrated talentless of Liana Liberato, I can just say Nicholas Sparks has no writing talent except give finding a terrible way to make more outrageous chick flicks that outweigh even Twilight that I want to pressure Sparks into either staying away from Hollywood or have him slam a hammer repeatedly into his head until amnesia can re-correct his mind and do something better and new for once rather than making more stupid stories of a southern caucasian male and female meeting and falling in love in the rural country bound by dull drama and stupid suspense bullcrap! its an inferior love story… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

lukechristiansc

Feb 10, 2015

I hate Nicholas Sparks romantic book series into films, i also hate the the fact that screenwriters got inspired to the make Sparks' bestseller and into a dumb atrocity romantic cliche'd screenplay. Will Fetters ( writer of 'Remember Me' and The Lucky One) turns another Nicholas SparksI hate Nicholas Sparks romantic book series into films, i also hate the the fact that screenwriters got inspired to the make Sparks' bestseller and into a dumb atrocity romantic cliche'd screenplay. Will Fetters ( writer of 'Remember Me' and The Lucky One) turns another Nicholas Sparks bestseller into another careless screenplay HEY DO ME FAVOR AND LEAVE SHOW BUSINESS. This movie is about is two high school sweet heart reunite in to their small hometown after tuck died. James Marsden plays Dawson Cole, Michelle Monaghan plays Amanda, two like able actors are forced into Nicholas Sparks' toxic bubble. Michael Hoffman directed and co-wrote the screenplay, clearly he has no legitimate interpretation of a realistic relationship (what are going to expect of course this movie has no legitimate interpretation of a realistic relationship cause it's a Nicholas Sparks movie). This movie was doing great in the beginning of the movie i was going to give this movie a B but the movie was getting worst in the middle and the end it was predictable. The script was hilariously awful and the direction has gone wrong. Grade D- I not enjoy 'The Longest Ride' coming this year… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Thegodfatherson

Dec 30, 2014

The Best Of Me takes the title of the worst romance movie of the century. And those words can sum up how tiring, rushed and how Un- Nicholas Sparks it is. It cut out major plot details from the book, gave us a horrible screenplay with both Marsden and Monaghan doing an atrocious job at theirThe Best Of Me takes the title of the worst romance movie of the century. And those words can sum up how tiring, rushed and how Un- Nicholas Sparks it is. It cut out major plot details from the book, gave us a horrible screenplay with both Marsden and Monaghan doing an atrocious job at their ultimate worst! This movie is a major disappointment to the fans of the book, including me (this was the only romance book that I read). This is a major exampke of book adaptations gone HORRIBLY WRONG. Its not even worth renting, and you know what this movie deserves my 0.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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