“Endless Love” brings a new angle to hopeful love

A new take on the classic forbidden love theme comes out on Valentine’s Day

Suh Koller

In a recent remake of the original 1981 film, director Shana Feste gives a timeless Romeo and Juliet love story a modern twist in the upcoming movie, “Endless Love.” Starring Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde, the tale follows the two lovers through a fight against all obstacles in search for true love.

The story begins with the high school graduation of the handsome David Elliot (Pettyfer) and a shy, yet wealthy Jade Butterfield (Wilde). Later the two meet by chance at a country club where Elliot works as a valet. After spending their summer together, the two become closer and slowly fall in love. During this time, Butterfield’s father, Hugh Butterfield (Bruce Greenwood) is growing increasingly wary of his daughter’s new relationship, and he often tries to stop their newfound love. Hugh Butterfield even goes as far as to look into Elliot’s past, only to find a troubled childhood, prompting him to separate the lovers. The plot climaxes with two tragic events that eventually bring the Butterfield’s torn family back together again as well as reuniting Butterfield and Elliot, showing that love conquers all.

While the movie offers a different take on the Romeo and Juliet theme, it still follows the lines of most romantic movies. For the most part the plot is too predictable and similar to the events of the original movie, although they were slightly altered to fit the new film’s plot. The acting was generally nothing out of the ordinary, and yet the actors’ presences still seemed to captivate the audience. Wilde and Pettyfer have amazing chemistry and this helps create an aura of genuine romance throughout the movie. Hope and true love are the most powerful themes the movie portrays, and can be seen throughout many of the characters, showing their true depth. “Endless Love” is a perfect date movie, as, in the words of Pettyfer, “It’s the type of movie where hopefully you’ll be kissing your date and the movie will stay the same.”