“Safe Haven” is a heartfelt rom-com

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and there isn’t a better way to get in the mood than to watch romance movies. During this time of the year, my friends and I watch one of our favorite romance movies, Safe Haven, a heartfelt rom-com.

Production

Safe Haven is a 2013 American romantic, drama, thriller film starring Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, and Cobie Smulders. The director, Lasse Hallström, reconstructed the movie from a Nicholas Sparks’ 2010 novel, Safe Haven. The film’s original release date was February 13, 2013, though, it was originally set for February 8th.

Throughout the months of January and February, romance movies stream on television, on channels like Freeform and websites such as Netflix. Safe Haven can be recorded, watched on-demand, or viewed on Netflix. The production began on June 18, 2012, in Wilmington and South Port, North Carolina.

The movie runs for 1 hour and 55 minutes and is PG-13. The movie had a budget of 28 million and grossed $71,349, 120 in North America and $26,245,020 in other territories. This adds up to a worldwide total of $97,594,140. The movie was released on DVD and Blue-ray on May 7, 2013.

Plot

The movie stars, Julianne Hough playing the role of Erin Tierney/Katie Feldman, a young woman who flees her abusive husband. Co-star, Josh Duhamel plays Alex Wheatley, a widower who struggles to raise his two kids until he meets Katie.

Katie Feldman escapes from her abusive husband and moves to a discrete town in North Carolina where she meets Alex Wheatley. She tries to leave her past behind her but, finds herself trapped in a welcoming neighborhood. Alex’s daughter quickly strikes Katie with her cuteness and lures her into her fathers’ store. Alex quickly develops a love for Katie, however, she begins to question her true feelings.

With this, Katie learns to love and trust again and finally feels she can be herself. This feeling doesn’t last long when her past begins to catch up to her and soon ruins her relationship. Katie finds herself in great danger and her only way out is to ask for help. But, by doing this she potentially puts Alex and his family in danger as well.

Awards

The movie received ASCAP Film and Television and Music Award in 2014. In 2013, the movie was given the Best Romance TV Spot and Best Romance Poster award.

Reviews

Safe Haven is by far one of my favorite romance movies. The movie follows a unique story line that no other romance movie has before. Therefore, the film is extremely memorable and keeps the viewer intrigued the entire time.

This movie is rated PG-13, and I agree that this film is too mature for children under the age of 13. I first watched the movie at the age of 14 and I feel that this age is mature enough for the content. Children younger than this may not understand the content and even feel uncomfortable.

Rotten Tomatoes ranks the movie 13% on the Tomato-meter and received a 67% for the audience score. The critics’ consensuses said, “Schmaltzy, predictable, and melodramatic, Safe Haven also suffers from a ludicrous plot twist, making for a particularly ignominious Nicholas Sparks adaptation.”

I feel the actors in the movie portrayed the characters very accurately. Julianne Hough gave her role the right amount of drama and personality. During the scenes where she was dealing with her abusive husband, she made her role seem very realistic and not overly “exaggerated.” As she became a mother figure to Alex’s children the audience immediately falls in love with her character.

Josh Duhamel (Alex) represents a laid back single dad that tries to cover his problems. However, after he meets Julianne (Katie) he feels a need to protect and express his true self to her. Both these characters helped shape Safe Haven into a heartfelt rom-com.