Some love is worth fighting for, states the trailers and ads for “Endless Love.” The aptly named romantic movie, opening on Valentine’s Day, could be passed as just another cookie cutter chick-flick. However, the audience will be drawn into the mysterious and intense story, feel for the characters and be swept away… if only for two hours at the theaters.
Jade (Gabriella Wilde) is a beautiful young girl graduating from high school and beginning the blissful summer before leaving for college at Brown University. She should be thrilled and celebrating with friends, but she lived a sheltered and isolated life throughout her four years at school. Also her older brother died from cancer, leaving her family devastated. David (Alex Pettyfer), a fellow classmate, has been pining for her but the two have never talked.
On graduation day, David is working as a valet at a elegant restaurant when Jade’s family car drives up. When the two do meet, it is electric; fast and spinning. Jade is set on fire, and she feels reckless falling in love. Her brooding father disproves of David and will do anything to keep them apart. Wounds from the past and secrets are unearthed as the story plays out on screen.
The strongest acting is from the dynamic family and the audience will feel like they are a part of them. Joely Richardson, the forgotten wife and former writer, is inspired by her daughter’s awakening and gives a stellar performance. Her arrogant husband, Bruce Greenwood, gives an equally notable performance as the seemingly evil father. Rhys Wakefield plays Keith, Jade’s other brother who fits the goofy, fun and likable brother figure. Alex Pettyfer, known for his role in “Magic Mike” gives a surprisingly genuine performance that will set hearts racing. He seemed to carry Gabriella Wilde’s flighty character. Mace, played by Dayo Okeniyi, is David’s best friend and a comic relief for the movie.
The cliché of the rich girl living in an ornate mansion and the working boy with a past is overused, but is used to create the tension between the two. Overall, movie-goers will find their romantic movie fix for February and find themselves rooting for the characters throughout the drama on the silver screen and leave feeling inspired.
