The fitting choice

Ervell E. Menezes

Set in a small coastal town of Beaufort, ‘The Choice’ is an old fashioned love story of opposites who fall in love. However, it also philosophises on the choices one makes in life. 

“The wrong choices ruin everything,” goes one of the opening lines in an excellent script, replete with many quotes. How relevant will the choice be in this story?

The film soon swings back seven years to the seaside town where Travis Parker (Benjamin Walker) has his own boat and some free time. Pretty Gabby Holland (Teresa Palmer) soon comes there as his neighbour, but is bugged by his loud music and lifestyle.

The antagonism soon melts and before long the two become lovers, this despite Gabby having a fiancé, Dr Ryan McCarthy (Tom Welling), who is out of station. The other characters are in Travis’ sister Stephanie (Maggie Grace), who supports the love affair, Monica (Alexandra Deddario), Travis’ go-to girl-friend and Dr Shep (Tom Wilkinson), an elderly man also smitten by the love bug.

It all begins when their dogs Moby and Molly get together and Gabby’s bitch soon gives birth to three pups. In the first burst of love, Travis takes Gabby by boat to his private island, which makes her purr “we should stay here forever.” The chemistry is adept.

When Dr Ryan returns, there are problems made worse by Travis confronting him. Gabby finds herself in a quandary and decides to leave for her parents’ home in South Carolina. Travis follows her and before them, goes on his knees to ask for her hand in marriage. But that’s not all, there’s still over half-an-hour of footage left.

When all is well, Travis is late for a meeting with Gabby who drives back home but smashes her car on the way and is in a coma. Her life hangs on a thread.

Director Ross Katz has a good deal on his plate, but deals with it judiciously; aided by a good script by Bryan Sipe and caressing camerawork by Alan Kivilo on the rustic outdoors. Suspense is maintained, especially in the last quarter.

Benjamin Walker and Teresa Palmer, both newcomers, do very well in the lead roles with the others not having much to do. But veteran Tom Wilkinson makes his presence felt in this absorbing love story, well worth watching.