Paige can't remember her husband, why she dropped out of law school, why she's estranged from her parents (whom Leo has never met) or why she broke off her engagement to Jeremy (Scott Speedman). Leo's got his hands full, trying to make her fall in love with him all over again.
Based on a true story, The Vow makes overarching statements about life and love that are hollow and have no real "impact" on the viewer. For instance, Leo, in one of many unnecessary voiceovers, says: "Life is all about moments of impact and how they change our lives," referring needlessly to impacts both literal (the accident) and metaphorical (two people crossing paths).
The film follows in the tradition of Adam Sandler's 50First Dates - both amnesia-themed rom-coms, where the male characters pull out all the stops to salvage their relationships. But Sandler's film is funnier and sadder; The Vow takes the safe route and doesn't stray far from the "rom"department.
The notion of amnesia giving you the chance to redo your life is intriguing. But Paige only skims the surface of these possibilities. That said, we're meant to accept the cliche that her life with Leo is something she would gladly choose again and again.
YP Rating: 2/5