There are romantic movies, and then there are Nicholas Sparks movies. When it comes to pulling heartstrings, this author has a style all his own. To prove it, here are 13 ways to tell you're living in one of his films.
The Hero
The three H's of a Nicholas Sparks leading male: Heroic, handy, and handsome. If you see all three, you’re in good shape. Even if you only see two out of three, you’re probably doing pretty well.
The Heroine
Obviously a Nicholas Sparks heroine is going to be beautiful, but she has to be wholesome as well. You know you’re deep in Nicholas Sparks territory if she’s also a single mother.
The Father Figure
A good Nicholas Sparks film will usually also feature a warm, but not completely perfect, father figure. He can supply love and advice to the hero, the heroine, or both. He’s probably not long for this world, though.
The Best Friend/Neighbor
Along with a father figure, look out for a good pal/next door neighbor to carry a subplot -- or suddenly take on a major role in the main story. Unfortunately, they, too, will probably not stick around until the end of the movie.
Terminal Illness
Life is short, especially in a Nicholas Sparks movie. Chances are high that at least one person will develop a life-threatening illness. If they do, you can pretty much guarantee they will succumb to their illness. Prompting you to burst into tears.
Letters
Letters are very important to Nicholas Sparks. They can remind someone of the past, they can keep separated lovers together for years, and they can help pave the way to healthy futures. Email has very little place here.
The Angry Ex
With such lovely heroines about, it’s no wonder their ex-husbands/boyfriends have such a hard time letting them go. These guys are vindictive, determined, an in some cases quite dangers, so make sure to give them wide berth.
Alcohol
A little drink now and again is fine, but alcohol tends to act as an accessory to or enabler of heinous ex-husband/boyfriend acts of jealous vengeance. Even when that’s not the case, Nicholas Sparks still tends to treat alcohol as a strong bad egg indicator in general.
Military Service
If the hero has spent any time serving in the military, you are definitely in Nicholas Sparks City. They may have PTSD, or they may just be nice, everyday fellas. Either way, veterans show up frequently in these films.
The Supernatural
Ghosts, prophetic dreams, rays of sunlight that offer one final goodbye -- all sound a bit far-fetched, yet they all exist within the Nicholas Sparks toolbox. Thse supernatural instances usually ensure that there’s not a dry eye in the house once the lights come up.
Music -- and Musicians -- Everywhere
In these films, piano playing is a big deal. The violin provides a popular choice as well. It doesn’t matter if this talent goes through the hero or the heroine, so long as someone can play a moving number at a moment’s notice.
Old Love
For Nicholas Sparks, love is not merely for the youngsters. Some over the hill romances can blossom as well. Not only that, but the whole point of the movie could be how a young couple turns into an old couple with time. These movies are just flat-out sweet love-a-thons regardless of age.
The Soundtrack
If you're in a Nicholas Sparks movie, it's probably going to sound a lot like a modern pop ballad -- maybe even one performed by the film's main actress. Most of these films have soundtracks that are just as much a part of the movie as the screenplay or actors. You can't truly love the film without also owning the album.
