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The Choice

Play trailer 1:46 Poster for The Choice PG-13 Released Feb 5, 2016 1h 51m Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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11% Tomatometer 83 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Travis Shaw (Benjamin Walker) is a ladies' man who thinks a serious relationship would cramp his easygoing lifestyle. Gabby Holland (Teresa Palmer) is a feisty medical student who's preparing to settle down with her long-term boyfriend (Tom Welling). Fate brings the two together as Gabby moves next door to Travis, sparking an irresistible attraction that upends both of their lives. As their bond grows, the unlikely couple must decide how far they're willing to go to keep the hope of love alive.
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The Choice

The Choice

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Critics Consensus

Like the 10 Nicholas Sparks movies before it, The Choice finds tragedy striking star-crossed lovers in the sun-dappled South -- yet even for those who loved its predecessors, this gauzy melodrama may feel painfully formulaic.

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Critics Reviews

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Roxana Hadadi Chesapeake Family Magazine The Choice is another tired retread of Nicholas Sparks's favorite themes: good ol' Southern living, problematic women, and the specialness of love. Rated: 1.5/5 Aug 2, 2016 Full Review Udita Jhunjhunwala Scroll.in Sappy and corny, The Choice will either make you bawl your eyes out or dull you into a coma. Jun 21, 2016 Full Review Max Weiss Baltimore Magazine The thing that's particularly galling about his latest installment, The Choice, is that the script seems to think it delivers a sophisticated and witty battle of the sexes. Rated: 1.5/4 Jun 10, 2016 Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse If you enjoy being manipulated and cry easily you make (or may not) enjoy the movie. That choice is yours. Rated: 1/5 Feb 3, 2021 Full Review Avaryl Halley Movie Bitches This movie was not very good and rather boring. Apr 30, 2020 Full Review Andrew Galdi Movie Bitches It was the biggest mess of them all. Apr 30, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Angel G What an annoying woman, it's hard to believe that anyone would fall for her. Poor acting, lovely setting. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/24/24 Full Review Samantha L Alright, let’s be real here—at some point, we’ve all caved to the guilty pleasure that is a Nicholas Sparks movie. You can’t fault me for loving a good romance that grabs you by the feels and doesn’t let go. And when the mood calls for a solid cry session, I’m not above throwing on one of these heartstring-tugging flicks. The Choice fits that bill perfectly. It’s got all the classic Sparks hallmarks: emotional stakes, life-altering decisions, and just the right amount of drama to keep you hooked from start to finish. So, here’s the deal: Teresa Palmer is an absolute powerhouse in this. She brings Gabby to life with a mix of vulnerability and strength that makes her super easy to root for. You can’t help but love her, and honestly, Palmer just radiates in every scene. Benjamin Walker? Not as big of a name, but he holds his own. There’s this quiet intensity he brings to Travis, and when he finally pours his heart out? Yeah, you feel it. It’s one of those performances that sneaks up on you. Now, let’s talk chemistry—because it’s all about that in these kinds of movies, right? Palmer and Walker totally sell it. From their flirty, awkward moments to those deep, emotional scenes, you can feel the sparks flying. It’s that kind of romance that has you saying, “Okay, I see you, Nicholas Sparks, I see what you’re doing here.” And just when you think it’s all smooth sailing, bam! The emotional rollercoaster kicks in, because of course, it’s a Sparks movie—there has to be a tear-jerking twist. Without giving too much away, Travis finds himself facing some pretty gut-wrenching decisions, and that’s where the film really hits its stride. You know the drama’s coming, but man, does it hit you hard when it does. You’ll be glued to your seat, tissues in hand, bracing yourself for the inevitable. Special shout-out to Tom Welling—who’s looking way more Superman than Clark Kent these days—and Tom Wilkinson, who plays Travis’ dad with the kind of gravitas only Wilkinson can deliver. And hey, South Carolina has never looked more gorgeous! The cinematography captures those sweeping landscapes so beautifully, it almost feels like a character in itself. At the end of the day, The Choice knows exactly what it’s aiming for—and it nails it. It’s not out to reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t have to. If you’re looking for a sweet, heartfelt romance with just enough drama to keep things interesting, this movie’s got you covered. It’s charming, it’s emotional, and it’s everything you want from a Nicholas Sparks adaptation. Go into it with your heart wide open, and you’ll walk away with all the feels. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/14/24 Full Review Mandy E props to the lead actress for giving this horrible script her all. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 07/29/24 Full Review Beth H Charming touching and heart felt. Beautiful photography too; makes me want to visit South Carolina. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/16/24 Full Review Sabrina You know what you're feeling with a Sparks movie. Love the atmosphere, the characters and the story. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/25/24 Full Review Yash B Out of the Nicholas Sparks films I have sat through so far, "The Choice" is easily the worst. Outside of just following a formula with forced sad events happening, the movie is also pretty boring. And even though it is boring, it is also a problem because the bedrock of the film's core romance is a result of cheating and dishonesty which makes it hard to root for the main couple. I will say I think the movie has some gorgeous scenic shots because of its setting but it was a chore to get through. I don't even think the movie is all that romantic and think genre fans deserve better. Overall, I think it's good February is over because after this movie I think I need a break from the Sparks cinematic universe. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/04/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Choice

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Travis Shaw (Benjamin Walker) is a ladies' man who thinks a serious relationship would cramp his easygoing lifestyle. Gabby Holland (Teresa Palmer) is a feisty medical student who's preparing to settle down with her long-term boyfriend (Tom Welling). Fate brings the two together as Gabby moves next door to Travis, sparking an irresistible attraction that upends both of their lives. As their bond grows, the unlikely couple must decide how far they're willing to go to keep the hope of love alive.
Director
Ross Katz
Producer
Nicholas Sparks, Peter Safran, Theresa Park
Screenwriter
Bryan Sipe, Nicholas Sparks
Distributor
Lionsgate Films
Production Co
Nicholas Sparks Productions, POW! Productions, Safran Company
Rating
PG-13 (Some Thematic Issues|Sexual Content)
Genre
Romance, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 5, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 31, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$18.7M
Runtime
1h 51m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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