Like Jennifer Hudson's pointless turn in SATC, you mean?

maybe i'll watch it, but only cuz i really like james franco

i'll see it, i'm a big nicholas sparks fan. this book definitely isn't his best though...

I saw the trailer when I went to see the Sex and the City movie. It seems so over and done. The whole thing. I love James Franco and Diane Lane but I don't think I'm going to see this. And you're right, enough of the stereotypical black BFF. Althought to be fair, WhiplashGirlchild, BOTH Jennifer Hudson and Kristin Davis's storylines were pointless in that film.

Reunited and it feels so good! I loved them together in Unfaithful, so I'll see this. Although this was the one Nicholas Sparks book I just couldn't get into.

This looks like it could go either way. Great cast but being based on a Nicholas Sparks novel makes my stomach turn. I've tried to read a few of his books but I never can get through them. The writing is so simplistic and bad.

i second everything radar said!

Love Sparks and his books. Will definitely want to see this one.

Since it is Richard Gere and Diane Lane I will go see it. I hope they did not veer to much away from the book. This is why I don't care for the notebook. And a walk to remember is one of my favorites. It is nice sometime to go to a simpler time.

Wow, maybe I'm the only person who liked the book. It made me start crying at work although I could predict the ending halfway through. This is perfect casting, and about the black best friend... the role of the girlfriend in the book (if it is the same character) is never classified as white or black. So what is the big deal? If anything, that sounds kind of discriminatory to say "Why did they cast a black woman to play the best friend?" If the role doesn't specify race, what is the big deal? Maybe the actress was the best fit for the role (ala Grey's Anatomy and their blind casting). I think that you have blown that way out of proportion.

I haven't read the book, but when I saw the preview I thought, hasn't this movie already been made? It doesn't offer anything new to me.

I like the Richard Gere-Diane Lane pairing, so I'm sure I'll go see this one.

Well, we can agree to disagree then, jpullman. I think the movie looks unappealing in general. And I sincerely doubt that they did a blind casting with this film, not necessarily intending to cast a black woman in that role. I'm not at all saying "Why did they cast a black person in that role?" I'm saying that this is a trend that seems to be a favorite of Hollywood's: to not give black people very many actual, real roles, but to relegate them to these vaguely supporting roles and pat themselves on the back for having "diversified." I'm not the only person in the world "blowing this out of proportion," as you put it. I am also not pointing just to this one example, I'm saying this is yet another example within a larger trend.

Well I guess we can agree to disagree. I disagree with the fact that you said "Randomly" in your posting, because it isn't random, the role is in the book, and yes they have expanded the role, but it wasn't random that the character just appeared there. Random would apply to Jennifer Hudson in SATC, or some other character just appearing in an adaptation of something. And yes I realize you are saying this is "yet another example within a larger trend", and I agree, that there is a trend to do this in Hollywood, however, who says that this is an example of that? Besides the fact that you already dislike the movie with just seeing the trailer and hearing the premise, what is so wrong with Diane Lane having a black girlfriend? I don't see what is so wrong with it! Now if the producers come out and say "Hey, we hired this girl because she was black" then I'm on your side completely, but maybe this woman really did fit the role perfectly. And I didn't just dismiss you. I respect you, and I do love your site, but I think your already distate for the movie is making you a bit bias in your statement about the black girlfriend.

I understand your arguments, but they apply to any one of the other examples of this trend, which is exactly my point. Taken individually, sure it's "blowing out of proportion" something small. But taken all together, it is a trend. "Who says this is an example of that?" Well, who says this isn't an example of it? The slideshow that I link to in which there are tons of examples of this trend which, taken individually, you could use all your arguments for (Clueless, Legally Blonde 2, any number of TV shows like Private Practice). Maybe it's not "random" that she has a best friend, but the decision to make her black seems random, like a decision to just fill their quota and make themselves feel better. Sure, maybe that's not the case, of course. But maybe it is, and I think it's equally valid to question that decision as it is to just assume that they did a blind casting and had no preconceived ideas about race.

I dislike the trailer for many reasons, sure, and part of it is just my personal preference, but this issue is also part of what I don't like about it.

I think this movie looks lame...a total snooze-fest. Not at all the kind of movie I'd ever watch.

Ooh boy!

I'm not into romance, but I love Diane Lane and James Franco.

I'd be more interested in this one if Diane Lane's love interest was James Franco & not Richard Gere (again). As for the BGF, they only do that to attract Black audiences. I don't agree with it unless it's got something to do with the story. But if ANYone could fit the role, then it's just not necessary. I'm still gonna see it tho.

Agreed with the overdone comment, won't see it except when it's on in HBO even then I'll probably switch channels.

Interview with Richard Gere and Diane Lane!
Check it!

http://flaxxvid.com/index.php?q=richard-diane-interview

i am excited to see this. when i saw the preview for the notebook, i cried. like a baby. this preview made me get all teary too. i am looking forward to it.