The Vow

Released: 10th February 2012 (UK)

Director: Michael Sucsy

Stars: Channing Tatum, Rachel McAdams

Certificate: 12A

Reviewer: Ben Harris

Inspired by true events ‘The Vow’ takes place in Chicago where a married couple, Leo (Channing Tatum) and Paige (Rachel McAdam), are involved in a car crash. Having been in a coma Paige wakes up with severe memory loss and can’t remember anything about her marriage. Leo takes it upon himself to win his wife’s heart back with ex lovers and annoying parents placed conveniently in the way to summon predictable plot “twists”.

Although slightly sweet ‘The Vow’ suffers from following a very formulaic narrative and it never seems to break away from the usual rom-com clichés. At the end of the day (spoiler alert…kind of) we all know, no matter what, these two leading characters are going to get back together. So whilst we wait we pray a creative director and writing team will progress the film with some good laughs and emotionally moving scenes. Does this happen? No. There is an occasional giggle and moments of sympathy but the material isn’t daring enough to go beyond that.

Before the unfortunate event the central couple is overly nice and too perfect. They are a dream duo so once the accident happens the film forces a sense of pity upon us. McAdams has a pleasant screen presence and here’s no denying Tatum is genuinely a nice guy but his abilities to express certain emotion is limited. His character is excessively sappy, which will have many girls cooing over him, and the film just seems eager to please it’s targeted audience.

‘The Vow’ is decent for what it is but doesn’t challenge itself and ends up being another forgettable rom-com.