The Longest Ride
Director: George Tillman Jr.
Talent: Scott Eastwood, Britt Robertson, Alan Alda
Release Date: 12th June 2015
It shouldn’t be difficult to adapt a Nicholas Sparks novel for film. The Notebook’s template is right there for imitation, so it’s surprising how badly The Longest Ride screws up. This 130 minute slog of a movie has no idea what to do with its own story. Art student Sophia and bull rider Luke are classic star-crossed lovers from two different worlds, lacking only in chemistry, tension and actual character traits. It’s a small relief when the film introduces a belated second plot 30 minutes in, when Sophia and Luke rescue WWII veteran Ira from a car crash, leading to a series of flashbacks to Ira’s own troubled romance. But these competing storylines only get in each other’s way, ensuring neither one gets enough emotional weight. Too little happens over too much time, followed up but a silly convenience of an ending. At least the title is apt: sitting through this one is a feat of endurance.
Words: Bernard O’Rourke
