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Critics Consensus: Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams do their best with what they're given, but The Vow is too shallow and familiar to satisfy the discriminating date-night filmgoer.
Critic Consensus: Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams do their best with what they're given, but The Vow is too shallow and familiar to satisfy the discriminating date-night filmgoer.
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All Critics (133) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (91) | DVD (2)
The Vow is a welcome antidote to cynicism, and a bracing tonic that proves love hasn't disappeared from the film experience completely.
The Vow makes the least of its concept, refusing to acknowledge that a love need not be perfect to merit holding on to.
The two stars look dewy and glossy and unexceptional, bound together less by chemistry than by the ministrations of a hard-working costume designer.
'The Vow' is inspired by a true and wonderful story, but that doesn't make the fictionalized version any less ridiculous.
Tatum is unusually expressive; Speedman, both hiss-worthy and sympathetic. But McAdams is the real draw.
As usual, Channing Tatum looks sweet and dull and, in most scenes, slightly confused.
There are some scenes where it is miraculous that Tatum and McAdams were able to remain upright, what with the huge nuggets of guilty-pleasure gold unceremoniously plonked in their way.
Rita, is also excellent if a little underdeveloped. Sadly, the rest of the cast are totally unremarkable and forgettable as a gaggle of clichés and stereotypes.
It's not trying to make you cry; but your heart will feel a little warmer when it ends.
The Vow plays out as a rather predictable and earnest drama.
After a cringe-worthy first third, The Vow does manage to hit a decent rom-com stride, exploring the sheer arbitrariness of self-realization.
The film isn't as bad as what it looks like--the Chinatown knockoff equivalent of a Nicholas Sparks movie--but that doesn't mean that those outside the target audience won't find it a painful experience.
A bit gooey but earnestly and engagingly played. Knowing that its based on a true story makes some of the more odd elements easier to accept.
Super Reviewer
"For some reason I was thinking that this film was going to be a rom-com. Big mistake on my part. It ended up being a rom-dram. I didn't think I would get so swept up in this love story since I'm not a huge fan of romance flicks, but this one got me. The story being based on true events was what really had me thinking about the film differently. It made me like it more. You can't help but feel complete heartache for this couple. I mean to be so in love and to have something that horrendous happen and *SPOILER* to never get the memory of falling in love with you husband, your wedding, and your entire lively hood with this person is just heart breaking.*END OF SPOILER* I also kinda enjoyed that there was no fairy tale ending, even though I wanted one for her. Great acting by Tatum and McAdams. I thought they had great chemistry which is a plus when doing movies like these or the film would have never worked."
Overall, not a bad movie. Certainly not "The Notebook", but it was an ok story about a man who never stopped loving the love of his life, for better or worse. I'm not quite sure if it's the presentation of the story, or Channing Tatum's moderate acting skills, but this movie didn't quite move me like I wanted it to...
*** "The Vow" is one of those "love conquers all" type chick flicks. Newlyweds Paige(Rachel McAdams) and Leo(Channing Tatum) are sitting at a stop light,when a truck plows into them. Leo is fine, but Paige has suffered some brain damage and can't remember anything from the past five years. Forgetting her relationship with Leo all together, he tries to figure out ways to help her remember, or fall in love with him again. I expected this to be "notebook" meets "50 first dates",and in some ways it is. But really, its just a good,sweet little drama,with enough heart and fluff to not be meladramtic. Adams is great,as she usually excels in romance movies. Tatum is just ok. He is a real movie star, but not a great actor. He's kind of one dimensional in dramas like this, but he does his best. Not saying I don't enjoy his movies, but I just don't think he's reached his potential. Women will love this(i'm pretty sure my wife loved it),and guys will either say 'meh that was ok". Or just skip it altogether. I think it's worth a watch,but in 5 years won't be remembered like "notebook" or "50 first dates".
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