I recently saw on this Facebook group I'm part of (though I don't participate much in it...long story) that Nicholas Sparks' book, "Dear John," is being adapted to film. Actor Channing Tatum plays the role of title character John Tyree, a young man in the Army who meets Savannah Lynn Curtis, played by Amanda Seyfried in the movie, while he's on R&R. 

After seeing all these mil gfs/fiancees get worked up about the movie (mostly ooh-ing and ahh-ing about Channing Tatum), I found the trailer online. Click here to check it out if you're interested. 

I read the book and must say I'm a skeptic about the movie. For one thing, I didn't think the book was written that well. The book ending was NOT what I expected. The book actually made me angry about how Sparks portrayed Savannah. She was not a very strong character, and while Sparks seems keen on description, Savannah comes off as a kind but naive girl. It's hard to say in reading it if I could really find myself liking her. Perhaps that was his intent, but as far as a love story goes, it didn't sell well with me.

Also, the trailer wasn't that spectacular. It makes some attempt at capturing most key scenes from the book, but isn't particularly exciting to watch. Like the book, it's a lot of talking at a slow pace, capturing a few romantic scenes. If I hadn't already read the book, I still don't think the trailer would have been a big sell for me.

I realize "Dear John" is a work of fiction; the author only has so much space to portray a story, and usually in a first person narrative one can only choose to explain one perspective. I was disappointed in how it was written, though. I don't think it was one of his stronger stories (like A Walk to Remember or The Notebook), but perhaps the movie version will improve upon the foundation the book provides.

"Dear John" comes to theaters Feb. 5, 2010.