The Vow

Directed by: Michael Sucsy

Memorable quotes:

Leo: I have a theory too. My theory is about moments, moments of impact. My theory is that these moments of impact, these flashes of high intensity that completely turn your life upside down, actually end up defining who we are.

Leo: The thing is, each one of us is the sum total of every moment that we ever experienced, with all the people we've ever known and it's these moments that become our history. Like our own personal greatest hits of memories that we play and replay in our minds over and over again.

Leo: "You know who I am, right?
Paige: Yeah, you're my doctor.
Leo: I'm your husband."

Leo: So that's my theory. That these moments of impact define who we are. But what I never considered was what if one day you could no longer remember any of them.

Josh: I'm just worried: if she doesn't remember you, how is she gonna remember she's in love with you?

Leo: "Her life with me is her normal routine.
Paige's mum: Yes, but it's a life she doesn't remember."

Paige: Sorry I was lost. Physically...mentally I guess as well.

Bill Thornton: "So Leo, what about your family? Do you see them often?
Leo: Erm, no.
Bill Thorton: That's a shame.
Leo: Both my parents are dead. It's just Paige. She is my family now."

Paige: Only you Paige can dump a guy, and come back, and demand answers.

Paige: "So I dumped you?
Jeremy: A cruel, hard, pre-wedding dumping."

Leo: I'm trying to help you. But I'm not your punching bag.

Leo: "I just want you to be careful, okay?
Paige: Well, I'm not joining a cult. I'm just going to stay with my family."

Leo: Can I at least give you an awkward hug?

Dr. Fishman: Listen, when it comes to the brain, nothing is normal, because no two brains injuries are the same.

Dr. Fishman: I'm afraid you're gonna live in fear of your own past.

Leo: I gotta make my wife fall in love with me again.

Paige: "Should...should we get out?
Leo: We don't have to.
Paige: Is this the part of the date where I find out you're not actually my husband but some crazy stalker and you're gonna strangle me with my purse?"

Leo: We always said no to wetsuits, but for you I guess I'll make an exceptions.

Leo: I'm sorry I can do better. My lips are still numb.

Leo: It was just like it used to be. Better actually. Everything that I fell in love with about Paige is still there.

Paige: This is crazy, it feels like I'm getting a free due-over in life.

Leo: If you're such a family man, how come I never once saw you come and try to put things back together with Paige? You're such a coward.

Leo: When she was with you, she would wake up at night in a panic: thinking: "is this all there is?"

Paige: I'm not trying to hurt you, but I'm just... I'm tired of disappointing you.

Paige: "Leo, I hope one day I can love you the way that you love me.
Leo: You figured it out once, you'll do it again."

Paige: Mom, I barely even know who I am, and then it turns out you're lying to me, and you used my accident to rewrite the past?

Rita Thornton: I chose to stay with him for all the things that he had done right, and not to leave him for the one thing he had done wrong.

Paige: I have to discover what it's like to be without you, on my own.

Paige: "Thank you.
Leo: I didn't do anything.
Paige: You did everything. You accepted me for who I am, and not for what you wanted me to be.
Leo: I just want you to be happy."


Plot:

Paige and Leo are crazy in love. So much so that they decide to tie the knot. Their near perfect relationship go smoothly until a brutal car accident, which leaves Paige in a deep coma. A worried Leo is shortly relieved when his beloved wife wakes up, only to find out that she suffers from memory loss and has absolutely no idea who he is. In her mind, she is still a law student in good terms with her family and she remembers being engaged to another man, Jeremy. Although completely distraught over the situation, Leo decides not to give up hope and win her heart again...

Review:

Our memories, our past, what we go through, all those different elements are greatly responsible for making who we are as a person. Yet, what happens if we forget those experiences that made us, what happens if we don't remember who we are?
This issue is one of the main theme of this movie and I found it extremely interesting, as well as a good start for a great storyline. 
Personally, my problem is that it barely seems realistic at times. I'm guessing that someone staying in a coma for a bit needs some time to adapt, especially when suffering a case of severe memory loss. I also assume that being in a car accident, Paige would have suffered a few broken bones or bruises. Yet apart from not remembering her husband, she seems to be perfectly fine and almost immediately back in shape. I find this a little hard to believe.
Channing Tatum's character, Leo, also seemed a little too perfect.
Now, apart from those few drawbacks, I still found The Vow to be a very sweet and romantic movie. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and it will definitely make you realize how things, including your own life and your own being, are fragile.
The main actors were perfectly cast. I have to admit that I had doubts regarding Channing Tatum acting abilities, but he actually did a good job. He and Rachel McAdams had an amazing chemistry and were completely believable as a couple. Rachel McAdams was especially fantastic and really touching. I mean, she can make you cry like no one else! Anyone who has seen The Notebook can probably see why I'm saying this! It was also nice to see Sam Neill, who played the famous Alan Grant in Jurassic Park!
One of the scenes that added something to this romantic film that can be quite mellow at times, was the fart scene. I thought this was rather well done, although a bit awkward!  It was still romantic, but certainly not something that you often see in a Hollywood romanticized story! It was a nice touch on the part of the writers!
Talking of which, I'd like to precise the fact that The Vow is inspired by the story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter. I know that some people didn't agree with the ending, but I'm happy they kept it real and I think it was important, especially since a huge part of their story had been changed to attract viewers. I'm happy they at least gave a somehow more realistic ending.
Basically, The Vow is a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed, although you need to see past the few drawbacks that I mentioned earlier.
All in all; it's still nice comforting to watch a movie about people who love one another and would do pretty much anything to make the person they love happy. We don't see that everyday!

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