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THE BEST OF ME

"It’s Never Too Late To Live Out Your Purpose"

NoneLightModerateHeavy
Language
Violence
Sex
Nudity

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What You Need To Know:

THE BEST OF ME is a romance about two high school sweethearts who were separated when the boy is sent to jail for eight years after an encounter with his abusive father. Dawson returns to his hometown for the funeral of the man who took him in after he ran away from home. The man leaves his house to Dawson and Dawson’s former sweetheart Amanda. Amanda is in a bad marriage but she has a young son. Dawson’s father is still alive, however, and looking for more trouble.

Based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, THE BEST OF ME is well produced and, for the most part, well acted. Usually, flashbacks are not a good idea, but in this case they work and bring some suspense to the story. Overall, the movie has a light redemptive, moral worldview extolling sacrifice, forgiveness and reconciliation. However, although the Dawson character tries to do what’s right, the movie has a Romantic, immoral view of sexuality. THE BEST OF ME also has plenty of foul language, including some strong profanities. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution.

Content:

(C, B, RoRo, LLL, VV, SS, N, AA, MM) Light Christian, redemptive, moral worldview as male protagonist believes his life was spared for a purpose, female protagonist forgives him, character’s death allows another character to live, with light but solid moral elements worldview as one character looks after male protagonist like a father, protagonist tries to do what’s right although his father and brothers are evil, mitigated by a Romantic philosophical view of sexuality and romance; about 19 obscenities (including one “f” word) and 11 obscenities; strong violence includes fistfights, gunfire, characters shot and killed, father gives teenage son a black eye and beats up another character, explosion on oil rig; strong sexual content includes partially depicted fornication between teenagers, depicted adultery, implied fornication; upper male nudity; alcohol drinking with dinner and social events, and some alcohol abuse; character recruited for drug runs; and, domestic violence, vandalism against someone’s garden, poor role models, dysfunctional family portrayals, father tells son he will never amount to anything, revenge, teenage pregnancy.

More Detail:

THE BEST OF ME is a romance for mature audiences about two teenage sweethearts who are brought together again when an old friend dies. THE BEST OF ME is well produced and suspenseful, with some good acting, but its redemptive worldview is marred by sexual immorality and foul language.

The movie opens with 39-year-old Dawson Cole being blown off his oil rig when several explosions take place. He ends up being rescued from the water four hours later and realizes he should have died from hypothermia. Dawson’s survival makes him feel a sense of destiny in that he was saved for a purpose.

After recovering in a hospital, Dawson learns of the death of Tuck, a dear old friend. He decides to return home for the reading of Tuck’s will.

Meanwhile, Dawson’s high school sweetheart, Amanda also gets the sad news about Tuck’s death. She also decides to return home to hear Tuck’s will.

Cut to 21 years earlier. Amanda is an outgoing 18-year-old born into an upper class family. She’s become smitten by Dawson, a quiet, intelligent boy from the other side of the tracks with a shady and abusive father and older brothers. Dawson runs away from home after his father gives him one too many beatings. He finds refuge with Tuck, a widowed older man who treats Dawson like the son he never had. Tuck lets Dawson stay at his house, which gives Dawson a chance to romance Amanda.

When Dawson’s father beats up Tuck for taking in his son, Dawson angrily confronts him with a shotgun. The two characters tussle and the shotgun goes off, accidentally killing Dawson’s beloved cousin, Bobby. Dawson goes to jail for eight years and decides not to return to Amanda.

Now, 21 years later, Dawson and Amanda hear the reading of Tuck’s will. Tuck has left them his house. While going through Tuck’s things, they rekindle their romance, even though Amanda’s in a bad marriage and has a son. Dawson’s father is still alive, however, and looking for more trouble. Eventually, tragedy strikes, and Dawson finally finds his purpose.

Based on a novel by the prolific Nicholas Sparks, THE BEST OF ME is well produced and, for the most part, well acted. The music is also good. Usually, flashbacks are not a good idea, but in this case they work and bring some suspense to the story. Overall, the movie has a light redemptive, moral worldview extolling sacrifice, forgiveness and finding one’s purpose in life. However, although the Dawson character tries to do what’s right, the movie has a Romantic, immoral view of sexuality. THE BEST OF ME also has plenty of foul language, including some strong profanities. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


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