Mandy Moore Effect: Movies

Tagline: It all comes down to who's by your side

Official Description from Amazon: Each spring in the little port town of Beaufort, North Carolina, Landon Carter remembers his senior year at Beaufort High and Jamie Sullivan, the girl who changed his life. Serious and conservative, Jamie (Moore) was as far from cool as she could possibly be, and didn't care. Landon (West) hung with the in-crowd an aimless, moody, reckless guy who breezed through school on looks and bravado and had no plans, no future and no faith in himself. When a prank goes terribly wrong landing a kid in the hospital, Landon is assigned to tutor a young student on the weekends and participate in the Drama Club's spring play. Clearly in over his head with both assignments, Landon is forced to ask Jamie for help. Soon, against his own expectations and the scorn of his friends, Landon finds himself falling in love with this outwardly plain girl who possesses a passion for life he never imagined possible.

Official Description Released by Warner Brothers: Each Spring in the little port town of Beaufort, North Carolina, when the wind smells of pine and salt and the sea, Landon Carter remembers his senior year at Beaufort High and Jamie Sullivan, the girl who changed his life.

Mandy Moore's Role: There's not much more you can say about Mandy Moore other than the fact that this movie was the turning point of her movie career. It also changed the way people perceived the actress, definitely for the better. Shane West and Mandy Moore, who play Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan respectively, fit their characters like bread and butter; like a baseball with a bat. The two were as close to perfect for their roles as you can get. Their chemistry was so amazing, that even at their tragic end, you can't help but feel a combination of sadness and joy, two conflicting and contrasting emotions; yet they still manage to bring out both no matter how many times you watch.

Mandy plays Jamie Sullivan, the teenage daughter of a Southern Baptist minister who has strong faith in her identity and the world around her. Jamie's faith is the central embodiment of her character, making her the sweet, innocent girl that other students scorn. They just don't identify with Jamie's view on the world. Jamie participates in the after-school club, The Stars and Planets and for fun she tutors kids on the weekends at the local junior high school. Landon (Shane West) meanwhile, is a troubled teen, hanging out with a questionable group of friends all of whom have no motivation for taking advantage of their academic opportunities. Landon has no future after high school and has little motivation to change his bleak outlook.

After growing up together in high school relatively oblivious to each other, Jamie and Landon's world collides when one of Landon's late night romps with his friends turns ugly. Unbeknownst to Landon, that event would save his life, in more than one way. Suddenly thrust into Jamie's world as punishment, his life would change forever. It was a rough beginning, but Landon gradually warmed up to Jamie. Her passion for life and her strong faith in God and in Landon, caused him to explore the depths of his heart that he never imagined he would dig into. Landon had no choice but to fall in love with her. Sadly, that only made their tragic end hurt so much more.

Mandy's performance as Jamie Sullivan won the hearts of audiences everywhere and it showed her true multi-dimensional talent. Many were surprised at how capable Moore was at acting, especially given her recent transition from singer to actress. Moore brought an already beloved character to life, which is a tough act given the high expectations from readers of the novel. Nevertheless, Mandy fit the role perfectly, performing with such ease. It was an inspiring effort, and you couldn't help but sympathize with Jamie's dilemma in the second half of the movie. The movie as a whole affected the lives of many who watched it, causing people to re-evaluate their life, even to this day. Landon and Jamie's love is an inspiring example of true love that can survive through any trauma, even the loss of the loved one. As an outsider, you can't help but fall in love with Jamie Sullivan and part of that has to do with Mandy Moore's elegance in the role. It's just another facet of the Mandy Moore effect.

Movie Quotes

Jamie: Without suffering there'd be no compassion.
Jamie: How can you see places like this, and have moments like these and not believe?
Landon: You're lucky to be so sure.
Jamie: It's like the wind...I can't see it, but I feel it.
Landon: What do you feel?
Jamie: I feel wonder... and beauty... joy, love. I mean, it's the center of everything.

Jamie: I mean, I was getting along with everything fine and then you happened. I don't need a reason to be angry with God.

Movie Notes

Based on Nicholas Sparks's best-selling novel.

Mandy had read the book prior to getting the part.

Mandy Moore was offered the role after Director Adam Shankman heard Moore's song "I Wanna Be With You" on the radio. According to Shankman, Mandy's voice was very angelic.

Original screenplay ran 3 hours and 30 minutes. Much of that was cut out.

Shot a PG-13 version of the movie that was pulled because of demographic issues.

Moore's songs "Only Hope" and "Cry" were featured as well as some of her other songs.

Mandy's "Cry" music video was based on A Walk To Remember.