The Vow (2012)

The Vow is one of those romantic comedies that I don't tend to get overexcited about.  Generally speaking, romantic comedies are as formulaic as action films.  Couple meet, can't stand each other, engage in a war of some sort, fool no one, encounter some sort of crisis, then end up together.  This is the pattern of romantic comedies from An Affair to Remember to You've Got Mail.  And The Vow is no exception.  The only difference is that the couple have their meet for the first time moment after their wedding.  You see, she's got amnesia, and he's trying to win her back.

And right there is why I wanted to see this movie.  It sells itself by being about marriage, how the vow to love even through sickness and hard times is binding.  For the most part, the movie does this somewhat well.  The situation must be very frustrating; a man is in love with his wife, but following an accident she does not even know who he is.  He remains determined to help her and win her back, suffering through every hardship that could be imagined.  I've wanted a story like this for years, one that sees marriage and faithfulness as a good and praiseworthy thing.  Too often Hollywood pushes some crazy ideal of instant, easy love, one night stands, and happily ever after.  Here seemed to be a film that promotes a view of love and marriage that endures pain and testing.  Here seemed to be a movie that said a marriage vow is binding, and divorce should not be an option that people easily run to.

Unfortunately, the film stumbles in this idea at the end, preferring to give a message of "love means making sure you are happy, regardless of the vow I've taken."  I hate that message; it cheapens both love and marriage.  Love is not about making you happy; true love is always about making people holy.  As such, love needs to do what is right regardless how long or how hard the trial.

Anyway, enough of my bellyaching on the message.  The rest of the movie, both in entertainment and in quality, was forgettably competent.  The acting was notable in its average-ness, and the editing and directing also showed notable flaws (such as when a character takes of his shirt, and the contrast between tanned chest and pale neck and face clearly shows the makeup).

Of course there is nothing awful about The Vow.  It is simply yet another formulaic Hollywood young adult romance.  You might like it.  I even enjoyed a large portion.  But I remain disappointed on the whole.

Entertainment: 4/10
Artistic Value: 4/10
Technical Merit: 4/10

Overall: 4/10