The Choice – Bis zum letzten Tag (The Choice) 
U.S.A.
2016
Opening 10 Mar 2016
Directed by:
Ross Katz
Writing credits:
Bryan Sipe, Nicholas Sparks
Principal actors:
Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Alexandra Daddario, Maggie Grace, Tom Wilkinson
This love story is based on (one of) the bestselling novels by Nicholas Sparks. Maybe if you liked the book, you might like the film. Sorry to say, I didn’t like either but especially not the film. It’s a bore with contrived exchanges and no chemistry between the main protagonists. Not even the Hallmark-type ‘Happy Family’, ‘Happy Friends’ and ‘Happy Puppies’ shots, nor the gorgeous scenes of the Southern coastline are enough to elicit any feelings. Travis (Benjamin Walker) is a good-looking, easygoing lady’s man without serious attachments. Gabby (Teresa Palmer), his new neighbor, is a beautiful med student whose long-term boyfriend (Tom Welling) will shortly leave for a business trip. This is the opportunity for Gabby and Travis to make their first fateful choice.
What unfolds — spanning a decade — has been told before and more successfully. After a long while the film arrives at the serious part of this film, actually back at the first scene, at a local hospital. A grave decision has to be made. The film is accompanied by Travis’ narration, giving his thoughts on ‘choices’, and how each has its consequence. Spelling out the meaning of this film wasn’t such a bad idea. There is a good chance the audience will miss the point otherwise. (Carola A)
