Movie review: Safe Haven

Safe Haven is better than the reviews (written by men) that were running in my local newspapers. Yes, it's a chick flick, so they're not really the target audience for this movie anyway. One critic was totally appalled by the twist at the end. To which I say, "Dude, I can think of several other movies right off the top of my head that had similar twists, so why are you so astounded?" The movie, based on a Nicholas Sparks book, is basically a love story with some suspense thrown in. Katie (Julianne Hough, late of Dancing with the Stars) is running away from an abusive relationship and finds "safe haven" in a small town in the Carolinas, where a handsome widower/dad (Josh Duhamel)runs the general store. She's prickly, he's interested. One of his kids likes her, the other doesn't. But they keep inching closer to each other. Then a blast from her past threatens to destroy their relationship. Josh and Julianne have good chemistry, as do Julianne and the little actress playing the daughter. The scenery is beautiful. And it's a nice story. So if you're in the mood for a good chick flick, ignore the reviews and go see Safe Haven.