Safe Haven
Katie Feldman (Julianne Hough) moves to a small town on the North Carolina coast, determined to make a new life for herself. She takes a job as a waitress and keeps a low profile, but she is soon won over by the warmth and caring of the close-knit community, especially that of widower Alex (Josh Duhamel). With the help of Alex and his children, Katie learns to love and trust again -- but when a mysterious stranger arrives and starts asking questions, Katie's dark past threatens to reclaim her.
Release Date: February 14, 2013
Runtime: 1 hr 55 min
Director: Lasse Hallström
Producer: Nicholas Sparks, Wyck Godfrey, Tucker Tooley, Marty Bowen, Ryan Kavanaugh
Cast: Josh Duhamel, Julianne Hough, David Lyons
(less)Ok for ages 14+ . What would you rate it?
Rated PG-13 Thematic Material|Sexuality|Threatening Behavior|Violence
- Sex & Nudity
- Violence & Gore
- Profanity
Content details via Kids-In-Mind
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Reviews
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I've gotten a bit tired of Nicolas Sparks movies, as they all seem to be cookie-cutter, and very predictable. I have to admit, though, there were two plot twists in this that I didn't see coming, especially one BIG ONE at the end. Overall a good movie. Julianne Hough's acting in Footloose was passable, at best, but she's clearly getting (or gotten) better. I enjoyed the movie, and felt that the rating of PG-13 was correct. There is a love scene, but it wasn't any worse than one would see on a network TV show, and the language, etc. weren't bad (that I could remember). Overall a good movie and my wife and I both enjoyed it.
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The plot of "Safe Haven" moves at just the right pace. It does not assume that the characters have developed feelings for each other, nor is it so slow that it drags. Everything feels right about this couple falling in love. There is a nice twist at the end that results in a good family message. An audience of ages 14 and above would be fitting for this film... See Full Review
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Love was in the air this Valentine’s Day and Safe Haven was no exception. Staring Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel, this adaption of Nicholas Sparks’ novel was a perfect win for love birds everywhere. Or single ladies for the real target audience. My boyfriend took me to see this movie for Valentine’s Day. I think he was joking when he said we should see one of those, “romantic, sappy movies,” but I took him up on the offer and chose Safe Haven.
The movie focuses on Katie (Hough) running away from her past in Boston and ending up in a sleepy little town along the coast of North Carolina. It’s here that she meets Alex (Duhamel) a single father raising two kids. As the two fall in love, Katie’s past comes to light and sets her and Alex on a path that could have catastrophic results for everyone involved if something goes wrong.
Safe Haven is in the top three of my favorite Nicholas Sparks’ films. It was different from most of the movies based off of his books. The acting was incredible. I didn’t expect much from Hough but she really impressed me. She makes you feel for her and is relatable as she settles down just outside of town in the woods. She was likable and completely relatable as she navigated small town life and tried to keep her distance from Alex because she didn’t want to be found.
Duhamel was amazing as a single father. He shows you how it would feel to lose someone you love so much, to struggle with dealing with that loss yourself while having to help your children deal with that same loss. Duhamel also shows optimism and hope while he’s falling for Hough’s character. Even though Hough’s character is distant and cold, Duhamel’s charming smile and personality gets to her and to the audience. Let’s be real, if you don’t fall in love with his winning personality and devilish good looks, you aren’t human.
Another thing I really liked about the movie was that it kept you guessing. For the first half of the movie you’re not sure what Katie did that sent her running from the police but you know it was bad. All of this is revealed through small flashbacks that Hough experiences. Another standout guessing moment came from Cobie Smulders. I knew Smulders was going to have an incredible year in films when I saw her in The Avengers. She delivers once again as a mysterious neighbor that lives next door (or at least in the same woods) as Katie. She serves as Katie’s guide to navigating the small town and even encourages her to go after Alex. Her role is critical to a lot of things happening in the movie and when everything is revealed in the end, you’ll understand why she’s so important.
If you and your significant other or even you and your girlfriends are looking for a good chick flick, this is the one for you. I rate this a see it in theaters movie.
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Now that best-selling author Nicholas Sparks has rung every possible variation out of his core formula: damaged hearts, pretty people, the healing powers of a body of water, the healing powers of a small town community, a sad death, and a letter of great import, he has officially run out of new ideas and even thoughts about how to keep re-arranging the old ideas.
Parents should know that this movie includes themes of domestic abuse with some graphic and disturbing images, fire with child and adults in peril, references to sad death of parent, sexual situation, some strong language, and alcohol abuse... See Full Review -
This emotionally, manipulative movie, is actually better than it sounds in any brief description... See Full Review
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Because the rating wasn't as good going into the movie I was hesitant but pleasantly surprised! Yes predictable but a feel good movie and a believer of a happily ever after..the ending left us saying "What the heck?" But loved the twist! Only a couple of swear words..could have easily left out the sexual scene or it would have been a 5 star movie!
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this is your typical girl movie where you know the outcome but who doesn't love a love story..
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If it can be said movies have personalities, I give you three words to sum up the basic core identity of "Safe Haven": Bat. Bleep. Crazy... See Full Review
February 15th, 2013 Details -
It’s a movie for people who nod their heads at the revelation that “Life is full of second chances.” There’s tragedy and heartbreak, in the past and possibly in the future, and a story that involves no heavy lifting – few surprises, and so “safe” that there’s nothing that anybody would consider “edgy.”... See Full Review
February 14th, 2013 Details -
"The love scenes are gauzily romantic and staunchly PG. Dialogue is heavy on sentimentality. The story hits many familiar notes..."... See Full Review
February 22nd, 2013 Details -
Are there really second chances? Can life begin anew? The film barely asks those questions, then lazily answers them in exactly as everyone expects... See Full Review
February 22nd, 2013 Details -
This latest cinematic confection, however, has a morally dubious core that will leave ethically conscientious audience members with an unpleasant aftertaste... See Full Review
February 15th, 2013 Details -
...The film contains depictions of domestic violence, including verbal and physical fighting, a stabbing (with some blood effects), arson, gun threats and perilous situations.Aside from the aforementioned portrayals, the only other content concerns are a few profanities, infrequent scatological slang and terms of deity. While these inclusions may give parents some reasons to question the film’s appropriateness for their teens, no one familiar with Nicholas Sparks’ work needs wonder about what to expect... See Full Review
February 14th, 2013 Details -
Despite the nice cinematography, of the sea gulls and bridge at dusk, and the hope the movie offers by film's end, it contains a sexual relationship between a single man and married woman, as well as strong language... See Full Review
February 20th, 2013 Details -
SAFE HAVEN is an excellently developed romance and mystery. The characters are well defined, and the performances of the two leads are appealing... See Full Review
February 25th, 2013 Details -
I saw this movie before it came out to theaters and really liked it. At first it seemed like it would be a straight-forward movie that you could totally predict, but it had plenty of twists and turns to keep us interested. Not nearly as touching as "The Notebook" but it was 'chick-flick' enough for me with enough action to keep my husband entertained.
March 21st, 2013 Details