The PG rated A Walk to Remember has had extreme contrasting reviews. This teen romance tells the story of a rough, irresponsible boy who falls for the school goody-goody. It is sweet, idealistic and romantic. Some praise it, and others want to forget it. Michael Dequina, Roger Ebert and Brian Webster disagree on the acting quality, sentiment and the plot quality of this teen romance.
             These three critics seem to have contrasting sentiments toward the whole theme of the movie. Dequina claims that many "will be longing to guzzle a bottle of Pepto-Bismol after being subjected to the 90-minute sap and crap fest." Webster didn't go as far as to say it will make some sick, but he did say, "It's a shallow, simplistic, sentimental pack of cliches." Ebert supports the film, saying it "is a love story so sweet, sincere and positive that it sneaks past the defenses built up in this age of irony." Maybe Dequina and Webster have higher defenses. Sentiment toward this romance movie and others is always contrasting. Some people love romances and others find them stupid and a waste of time. Those who want to believe in romance and love enjoy sentimental displays, but those such as the teenage guys Dequina speaks for find it sickening and shallow. One's opinion of this film's sentimentality will depend on one's opinion of love and romance in general.
             Dequina, Webster and Ebert also disagree on the completeness of the plot of this film. Dequina thinks the film "clearly wasn't thought out" and states that "cliche or stereotype seems to be [the director's and scripter's] philosophy. Webster says, "Things go exactly where you would predict," and "There is nothing challenging about the movie." Ebert admits the film had a few flaws but says the director and writer, "have unforced trust in the material that redeems, even justifies the broad strokes." All three critics agree that the plot has problems. It is the degree of the flaws that is debated. Ebert th...