“The Choice” is geared toward the ladies and romantics, as it’s based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. It features Teresa Palmer as Gabby Holland, a strong-willed medical student at the local hospital, and Benjamin Walker, as Travis Parker, Gabby’s neighbor. Travis has loud parties with his friends, with the music cranked up. One evening, when Gabby goes over to let him have it — funny enough more about her pregnant dog than his music — they verbally spar. She accuses his dog of getting her dog pregnant, and they exchange a rapid-fire dialogue of one-liners while shaking their heads with sarcastic laughter. Later on, they tell each other, “You bother me,” and apparently it is a good “bother.”
When Gabby’s boyfriend, Dr. Ryan McCarthy (Tom Welling), leaves town on a trip for his job, Gabby and Travis spend time together and soon get passionate with one another. Gabby has to make a choice when Ryan returns: Will she stay with him or move forward with Travis? The film shows Gabby traveling to her parents’ home in South Carolina to make her choice. It also follows up on her life after that, including an incident that will require the man in her life to be there for her like never before.
The movie features a great scene in a church with a lively choir and dramatic moments as well as comedy, but it seemed a bit long in some scenes. A little editing would have tightened up the story a bit. Nevertheless, strong sexual content is present in the film, so we are unable to award the film our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal.
