Lasse Hallström's deft direction turns the weepie bestseller by Nicholas Sparks (Message in a Bottle, The Notebook) into a timely and emotive depiction of two young people struggling to overcome the obstacles in the way of their love. Channing Tatum stars as John Tyree, an American soldier who falls for a beautiful, good-hearted student (Amanda Seyfried) while on leave. However, the course of true love does not run smoothly for the pair, so keep those hankies at the ready. Tatum and Seyfried are credible and wonderfully matched, while Richard Jenkins's portrayal of Tyree senior is heart-rending but realistic. It may be mawkish in places, but Dear John is genuinely sincere throughout the story's unpredictable twists and turns. Despite its flaws, this is a wonderfully filmed romance that will have even the toughest of guys dabbing away the tears.

While Sergeant John Tyree is home on two weeks leave from Germany, he meets Savannah after he dives into the ocean to retrieve Savannah's purse that had fallen off a pier. John eventually falls in love with Savannah, who promises to write to him until he returns from overseas.