“The Vow” plays like a Nicholas Sparks novel but supposedly this soapy tearjerker is inspired by a true story. Channing Tatum plays newlywed Leo in an auto accident with his bride Paige (Rachel McAdams). He’s mainly unscathed but she’s an amnesiac with only memory of her previous lover Jeremy (Scott Speedman) whom she jilted. Understandably, Jeremy gets his chance to come back to reclaim his former fiancée, while Leo competes to win back her love in some inventive but corny ways which are sentimental and designed to tug at the heartstrings.
Director-co-screenwriter Michael Sucsy’s emotion-laden scenario is hokey with a syrupy sweet score. Rachel McAdams undergoes mood shifts to spice up the paint-by-numbers plot. Hunky Tatum always looks good in or out of clothes, compensating for his limited acting range. In integral supporting roles, Jessica Lange and Sam Neill portray Paige’s controlling parents. The sob story is a tender, appropriate date movie.
