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The Choice

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Teresa Palmer and Benjamin Walker in The Choice (NuMetro)
Teresa Palmer and Benjamin Walker in The Choice (NuMetro)

What it's about:

Travis Shaw and Gabby Holland meet as neighbours in a small coastal town and end up pursuing a relationship that neither could have foreseen. Spanning a decade and tracing the evolution of a love affair that is ultimately tested by life’s most defining events, this story features a memorable ensemble of friends and family in the beloved North Carolina setting, culminating in the question that every couple must ask themselves: How far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

What we thought:

Boy oh boy does Nicholas Sparks know how to write them! Aside from the fact that you’re expecting something ridiculously romantic, sad, funny and beautiful all at the same time, The Choice ticks all those boxes and more!

When Gabby and Travis meet their connection is instant, even if it is that old “I hate you but I actually love you” routine and what follows is a fantasy grounded by reality.

Of course Gabby (Teresa Palmer) has a boyfriend when she meets her soulmate and it seems only fitting that Travis (Benjamin Walker) is the small town charmer who is yet to be tamed by the girl of his dreams. But hey, it wouldn’t be an interesting love story if things just fell into place so easily would it.

Sparks really caught me off guard with this one. Unlike all of the other adaptions to his novels, the ending is not as predictable as you think. And that is the beauty of the film as well as why the title of it is so fitting. 

Unbeknown to many people everything you do in life is based on the choices you make. It may not seem that way in the exact moment you make them but in the end every choice you have made has its consequences, good or bad. 

Although The Choice appears to be just another love story, the theme of ‘making choices and taking responsibility for those choices’ shines beautifully in the storyline. 

The cast absolutely made this film the gem that it is. Benjamin Walker as Travis Parker is now the voice in my head asking me to marry him and I am perfectly happy with that, minus that terribly unflattering hairstyle he’s got going of course.

Daydreaming aside, the actor really shined in his role. Cool but also silly, funny but not irritating and sensitive but still masculine… Sounds like the perfect guy right?! 

Teresa Palmer played off Benjamin so well, their chemistry in the film was amazing. She managed to carry the emotions of falling in love and being confused in such a way that I could relate to, which is actually the best part because who wants to watch a love story that you pretty much know could never happen in real life.

Although the film pretty much revolves around Benjamin and Teresa their supporting cast does a good job in tying everything together.

Nothing is worth it unless you can share it with your friends and family and we all know they often play a huge part in the choices we make. In this case, casting was really thought out and done superbly.

Sure this love story is a bit of a cliché set on the sandy shores of a small country town, but it will awaken your soul to love and happiness along with a mix of a very scary reality. It all comes down to deciding when to follow your heart and when to follow your head.



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