To celebrate the release of THE CHOICE in UK cinemas from March 4th, we are taking a look at the impressive eleven films which have been adapted from books from the king of romance, Nicholas Sparks.
THE CHOICE (March 4th, 2016)
Boasting an impressive cast including Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Lost’s Maggie Grace, Smallville’s Tom Welling and Brit legend Tom Wilkinson, THE CHOICE is released in cinemas in the UK from March 4th. When feisty medical student Gabby Holland moves in next door to perennial ladies’ man Travis Shaw, it sends them both on a romantic journey neither ever dreamed possible. Travis has always believed a serious relationship with a woman would cramp his easygoing lifestyle, while Gabby is all set to settle down with her long-term boyfriend—until an irresistible attraction between the unlikely couple upends both of their well-planned lives. After a whirlwind courtship, Gabby and Travis wed and build a family together, making every decision hand-in-hand until one of them is forced to make the most important choice of their life alone. A poignant and life-affirming celebration of love, marriage and family that explores the most heart-wrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?
THE LONGEST RIDE (2015)
Starring Scott Eastwood, Britt Robertson, Jack Huston and Alan Alda, THE LONGEST RIDE follows a young professional bull rider, Luke Collins, who meets and falls for art loving sorority girl Sophia Danko. As the couple navigate their relationship and their many differences, their lives intertwine with Ira Levinson, an older man whose love story with his wife Ruth mirrors that of the younger couple.
THE BEST OF ME (2014)
After a near death experience and the death of his mentor, Dawson Cole (James Marsden) returns to his old home for the first time in nearly twenty years and runs into his first love, Amanda (Michelle Monaghan), who is now married with a family. As the two go through their mentor’s belongings, their love story unfolds and threatens to rekindle.
SAFE HAVEN (2013)
Directed by Lasse Hallstrom (Chocolat, Salmon Fishing In The Yemon), SAFE HAVEN follows a young woman (Julianne Hough) with a mysterious past who arrives in Southport, North Carolina, and bonds with handsome widower (played by Josh Duhamel) before her dark secret threatens to ruin her new happiness.
THE LUCKY ONE (2012)
Zac Efron stars as a US Marine who narrowly survives a mortar attack in Iraq after finding a picture of a woman on the ground beside him. Upon returning to the US, he goes in search of the mysteriously woman, single mother Beth (played by OITNB’s Taylor Schilling) and winds up applying for a job working for her grandmother (played by Blythe Danner). As Beth and Logan grow closer, they must face issues with her suspicious ex-husband and ghosts from their past.
THE LAST SONG (2010)
Sparks not only wrote the book, but also co-wrote the screenplay for THE LAST SONG, starring Miley Cyrus and pre-Hunger Games Liam Hemsworth (who later became a real life couple). Cyrus stars as a rebellious teen who is sent to a Southern beach town for the summer to stay with her father (Greg Kinnear). As she begins to reconnect with her father, she also falls for local hunk, Will Blakelee, played by Hemsworth.
DEAR JOHN (2010)
Channing Tatum stars as John Tyree in this romantic drama, again directed by Lasse Hallstrom. While serving in the US Army Special Forces, Staff Sergeant Tyree (Tatum) is shot multiple times and recalls his love affair with Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried) a college student he met years earlier while on leave.
NIGHTS IN RODANTHE (2008)
Richard Gere plays Dr Paul Flanner, who meets and falls for a woman (played by Diane Lane) who is separated from her husband, while travelling to see his estranged son in this romantic drama. This was the third film Gere and Lane starred in together following Unfaithful in 2002 and The Cotton Club in 1984.
THE NOTEBOOK (2004)
Undoubtedly the most renowned of Sparks books, THE NOTEBOOK stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as a couple from opposite sides of the track who fall in love and struggle to stay together due to their very different circumstances. Coincidentally, like Miley and Liam, these two became a real life couple as well. Starring James Garner and Gena Rowlands as the older versions of their characters, Noah and Allie, this is perfect story of finding love, and keeping it.
A WALK TO REMEMBER (2002)
Adam Shankman (Hairspray, The Wedding Planner) directed Mandy Moore in her first major role in this story of two North Carolina teens who are thrown together and fall in love. Shane West stars as badboy Landon Carter who must do community service or face expulsion after he is caught drinking and a prank goes wrong. While tutoring and helping with the school play as part of his punishment, he connects with Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore), the minister’s daughter and longtime classmate to whom he has never previously paid attention. As the two grow closer, a secret about Jamie threatens to devastate Landon’s newfound purpose.
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE (1999)
House of Cards’ Robin Wright stars as reporter, Theresa Osborne, in the first film based on Spark’s books. After finding a mysterious love letter in a bottle in the sand, Theresa is determined to track down the author, Garret (played by Kevin Costner). The legendary Paul Newman also stars in this tear-inducing drama.
THE CHOICE IS IN UK CINEMAS FROM MARCH 4TH