NIGHTS IN RODANTHE *½

George C. Wolfe directed this film starring: Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Viola Davis, and Mae Whitman. One hour and thirty-seven minutes long, the film is rated PG-13 for some sensuality.

A woman with her life in chaos (Lane), retreats to the tiny coastal town of Rodanthe to tend to a friend's (Davis) inn for the weekend. Here she hopes to rethink the conflicts surrounding her, including a daughter (Whitman) very upset by her parent's impending divorce. The only guest at the inn (Gere) is there to face his own crisis of conscience. The two turn to each other for comfort and, in one magical weekend, set in motion a life-changing romance.

This film is the antithesis of the type of film I enjoy. It's very well done and the cast is very good and quite attractive, but the plot is a shameless, textbook example of emotional manipulation. To put it bluntly, it's a three hanky tear jerker, the type most men will do anything to avoid. If you're a rabid fan of Harlequin Romances, well, this one's for you. Otherwise, if anyone suggests going to see it...run for the hills.