By Kate Rodger
Kiwi movie-goers have at least been getting into the Valentines spirit, flocking to romance The Vow and taking it to a resounding number one at the local Box Office.
It has done the same in the US; good news for the careers of the two up-and-coming Hollywood stars and for their far more experienced co-star, New Zealand actor Sam Neill.
Who knew we staunch Kiwis were such a pack of mushy romantics. Taking this film, a love story, well and truly to the top of the Valentine's Box Office.
Neither of these two lead actors is a stranger to the romance genre. Rachel McAdams has Ryan Gosling and The Notebook to thank for helping launch her into the mainstream, and Channing Tatum's more recent starring role in Dear John did the same for him.
The Vow pairs them as young married couple Paige and Leo who are maddeningly, sickeningly in love until a sudden accident throws that all through the windshield with Paige's head injury erasing all memory of Leo.
The tale is based on real events involving Kim and Krickitt Carpenter.
“We got to see first hand the incredible life they've made for each other after this very tragic accident,” says McAdams. “They're more extraordinary than our characters are in the film.”
McAdams and Tatum were lucky enough to work with Neill who plays Paige's overbearing father alongside Oscar-winner Jessica Lange.
“I admire them both so much,” says McAdams. “They brought so much to this film although in very small parts. They filled them [the characters] with so much life.”
Neill was also just as full of life off-camera.
“Sam has the best sense of humour, sooo sneaky,” says McAdams.
“He'll just come over and whisper something to you,” says Tatum. “You'll be laughing and you'll say, ‘He just said... Never mind.”
The pair can be seen in cinemas now.
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