Why you can trust 12DOVE
Widely derided upon release, 1981’s Endless Love nevertheless clicked with audiences, spawned a classic Lionel Richie-Diana Ross duet and gave eye-catching early roles to James Spader and Tom Cruise.
In contrast, Shana Feste’s bland and timid remake will be lucky to be remembered beyond this paragraph. The Country Strong director opts to gut Scott Spencer’s source novel of every orgasmic groan and melodramatic excess that made it worth adapting in the first place.
As the lovers facing opposition from disapproving patriarch Bruce Greenwood, Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde don’t so much take on Brooke Shields’ mantle as cower in her shadow.
Neil Smith is a freelance film critic who has written for several publications, including Total Film. His bylines can be found at the BBC, Film 4 Independent, Uncut Magazine, SFX Magazine, Heat Magazine, Popcorn, and more.