Despite all evidence to the contrary, “Charlie St. Cloud” is not based on a Nicholas Sparks novel.
Sure it stars a pretty young thing (Zac Efron) with a ridiculously good head of hair (“Dear John”) who tries to move on after a personal tragedy (“Last Song”) by falling in love with someone who is told at every turn how unacceptable aforementioned pretty young thing is (“The Notebook”).
But that tale is as old as time. In reality the trailer is what makes “Charlie” seem so Sparks-like.
*The action is set to a Snow Patrol song — just like in “Dear John”
*Zac is told “you don’t scare me” — just like in “Dear John”
* There is a needlessly ogled male character — just like in “Dear John,” “The Last Song” and “The Notebook”
* There is “you’re in looooooove” taunting — just like in “The Last Song”
* The trailer ends with our lead promising “to never let go” of another character — just like in “Dear John”
* And then there’s the poster — which just lets the sun set a little bit more.
Whether or not Sparks fly when “Charlie St. Cloud” hits theaters this summer, one thing is for certain — it will determine whether Zac is destined for box office greatness (“17 Again” proved nothing) or a 2035 “Where Are They Now” special.