Nicholas Sparks Writes from the Heart (Again) in "Dear John"

With the release of "Dear John," the new film from director Lasse Hallstrom, Nicholas Sparks has emerged as one of the leading authors of the 21st Century. Sparks, who also penned the bittersweet love story "The Notebook," wrote the novel that inspired this film, a wartime romance that most audiences will be able to appreciate.

Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried are wartime lovers in "Dear John"

Channing Tatum plays John Tyree, a 21-year-old member of the Army Special Forces. While waiting to be deployed, John spends his last two weeks back home with his father (Richard Jenkins) in Charleston, SC. While surfing, he meets Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), a pretty college student who also is visiting her parents over Spring Break.

John evidently was a bit of a hell raiser before he joined the Army and, though Savannah doesn't drink or smoke, the two still fall in love almost immediately. As she heads back to college, Savannah makes John promise to write her, no matter where he is in the world. Even though they can't be together, she wants to know everything that's happening to John.

The events of 9/11 change everything in "Dear John"

These two young lovers expect to reunite for good once John's tour of duty is over, but the events of September 11, 2001 test both his love for Savannah and his devotion to his country. With only a weekend to make up his mind, John has to choose between reenlisting in the Army or returning home to South Carolina to be with the woman he loves.

"Dear John" is another gem from Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks is, without a doubt, one of the most gifted writers working today, and he knows how to effectively pluck the heartstrings in stories like "A Walk to Remember" and "The Notebook." Screenwriter Jamie Linden skillfully takes Sparks' words and makes "Dear John" another painful, yet beautiful big screen romance.

Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried do an excellent job of bringing Sparks' characters to life on screen in a movie about duty, loss and redemption. Seyfried, who was the best part of "Mama Mia!" in 2008, is such a fresh-faced beauty that it would be easy to forgive John if he ever went AWOL from the Army to be with her.

Richard Jenkins, an Oscar Nominee last year for "The Visitor," also gives a top-notch performance as Mr. Tyree, John's father. Mr. Tyree has an obsessive love of coins, especially badly minted coins called "mules", but Savannah sees the underlying reason for Mr. Tyree's strange behavior.

Skillfully adapted and acted, "Dear John" definitely is one love letter you will want to read before Valentine's Day.

"Dear John," rated PG-13 for some sensuality and violence, currently is playing in local theaters.