Based on a novel written by the man who gave us The Notebook. Directed by a man who gave us Chocolat. And starring a man who gives us hot flashes. Let’s just say Safe Haven had an awful lot to live up to!

That’s right, Lasse Hallstöm took the reins for the latest big screen adaptation of one of Nicholas Sparks’s creations which stars Josh Duhamel (Win a Date With Tad Hamilton and Transformers) and Julianne Hough (Rock of Ages and Footloose).

 

Nicholas Sparks has made a name for himself in the romance genre.

From the outset Safe Haven is a lot darker than the likes of The Notebook and Dear John. The opening scene paints a picture of a beautiful young woman called Katie (Hough) who is desperate to get out of town and away from something.

This leads her to the gorgeous spot of Southport, North Carolina, which becomes a character all in itself. It is safe, friendly and somewhere she can hide from her past. Although the locals, in particular the general store owner called Alex (Duhamel) and her neighbour Jo (Cobie Smulders), have other ideas.

Soon Katie finds herself having to deal with the prospect of trusting people and confronting her secrets as her bond with widower Alex and his two children develops. Little does she know is that her new friends aren’t the only people who are trying to make her face up to her past.

 

Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel in Safe Haven.

Safe Haven is a tad clichéd with scenes reminiscent of The Notebook but it has so charm that you don’t really mind. The fact that there are also darker forces at play in what is essentially a romantic drama gives it a depth that engages and sustains during the almost two-hour running time.

As for the leads, Duhamel and Hough work beautifully together both proving that they can play different, more serious characters. Essentially they are what keep you captivated not only in terms of their relationship with each other but their own personal struggles.

All of this culminates into an explosive finale which pushes both the characters and the storyline to the limit. In effect Safe Haven ticks all of the boxes you want it to and more. It’s romantic but thrilling, something which sets it apart from what has come before.

Safe Haven is out in cinemas nationwide this weekend and you can also get your hands on the novel by Nicholas Sparks (published by Sphere).