Dear JohnMovie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 43 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 OK for kids 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 70
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    Dear John carefully distills selected elements of human experience and reduces them to a sweet and digestible syrup. It may not be strong medicine, but it delivers an effective, pleasing dose of pure sentiment and vicarious heartache. Read full review

  • 58
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Ironically, they make the bond between John and Savannah look so natural that the ''dear John'' turn in their relationship makes even less sense than it does in the book. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle |

    You promised only a slim plot, tidy morals and lovers with quaking loins. It was fun while it lasted. Read full review

  • 50
    Washington Post | Michael O'Sullivan

    Dear Nicholas Sparks, There's no easy way to say this. But with Dear John, the latest of the five films made so far from your sentimental, best-selling novels, I think our relationship is in trouble. Read full review

  • 50
    The Hollywood Reporter | Kirk Honeycutt

    The film, while heartfelt and directed by multiple-Oscar nominee Lasse Hallstrom, is dramatically stillborn. Read full review

  • 50
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    Dear John exists only to coddle the sentiments of undemanding dreamers, and plunge us into a world where the only evil is the interruption of the good. Read full review

  • 50
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    You're more likely to roll your eyes than swoon over this slow-moving and far-fetched love story. Read full review

  • 50
    Los Angeles Times | Betsy Sharkey

    There's no real depth or texture to the characters of any sort, sentimental or otherwise, and I say that as someone who can be brought to tears by a Hallmark commercial. Read full review

  • 50
    Variety | Brian Lowry

    Ultimately, the story feels as if it's killing time before throwing the next hurdle at the couple. Read full review

  • 25
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    As for the ladies who think any kind of chick flick is preferable to football, be careful what you wish for. Read full review

View more reviews for Dear John on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 13+ Teens will swoon for far-fetched, syrupy romance.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this Channing Tatum/Amanda Seyfried romantic drama based on Nicholas Sparks' best-selling novel includes some non-graphic sexuality and wartime violence (including one scene in which two soldiers are shot) but is otherwise a pretty tame romance that's age appropriate for teens. The lead couple (who are college-age when they meet) share many intense kisses and spend one night together, but there's no nudity. Language includes a few uses of "s--t" and some exclamations like "oh my God." Two supporting characters -- one young and one adult -- are autistic, and their conditions are discussed several times. Positive messages include the importance of service and the many ways that people can help others in need.
  • Families can talk about Savannah and John's romance. Does it seem believable? How does it compare to real-life teen relationships?
  • Do Savannah's choices resonate with you? What do you think about her decision to put her love for John second to her sense of obligation to others?
The good stuff
  • message true2 Positive messages: The movie has several positive messages. Savannah doesn't judge John for being less wealthy or having a spotty past. John selflessly volunteers to re-enlist in the Army despite the fact it will keep him and Savannah away from each other. Savannah makes an enormous sacrifice to help others in need. 
  • rolemodels true3 Positive role models: Savannah and John are both admirable characters. Savannah spends the bulk of her spring break doing charitable work. She also graciously spends time with her neighbor's autistic son and John's autistic father. John is brave and loyal and takes his duty to his country seriously, extending his enlistment even though he could have been spending time with Savannah instead.
What to watch for
  • violence false3 Violence: John is shot while deployed in the Middle East; another soldier is killed. There are a few war scenes, but nothing is too graphic or bloody. John angrily punches a couple of men, giving one a black eye.
  • sex false2 Sex: Flirting turns to passionate kissing and one non-graphic love scene (only bare shoulders and backs are shown).
  • language false3 Language: A few uses of "s--t," plus exclamations such as "hell," "ass," "son of a bitch," "goddamn," "Jesus," and "oh my God."
  • consumerism false1 Consumerism: Chevrolet and Volkswagen, but otherwise no overt product placement.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false2 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adults drink beer at a beach party and wine at dinner.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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