Now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD is the most recent film Nicholas Sparks’ film, The Best of Me, based on the book by the same name.
I am a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks. I have only read a couple of his books but I have seen all his films. In fact I own all his films on Blu-ray and/or DVD. I have yet to see a Nicholas Sparks film that I didn’t love.
I was super excited to receive a copy of The Best of Me from Fox Home Entertainment to review. I was looking forward to seeing this film. I love James Marsden.
In addition to the film I also received some goodies from a tea company called Teavana. Teavana sent me The Perfect Tea Maker, their limited edition First Blush loose tea, Perfectea Rock Sugar and a scoop.
Fox Home Entertainment also sent me some The Best of Me goodies including adorable mason jar mugs (perfect for tea!) and some branded vanilla candles.
I invited some friends over to enjoy the film and a delicious cup of tea. Everyone was able to make it except one couple. That’s OK. They are welcome to come over and watch the film anytime they want. Plus I am holding on tho their The Best of Me “swag” that I was going to give them when they came over.
If you follow me on Instagram (SheScribes) you probably saw the photos I shared from the evening.
Before my guests arrived I thought it would be best to practice making the tea. In the past I have not had much success with loose teas. I wanted to make sure I perfected it before I offered to make tea for my guests.
Teavana’s Perfect Tea Maker is super simple to use. Simply scoop in the appropriate amount of loose tea, add hot water and let it seep for a specific amount of time (it varies with the teas). Then when the tea is ready you can place The Perfect Tea Maker on top of your mug and it instantly drains the tea into the mug.
Teavana made extra certain that I knew how to brew the perfect cup of tea. They provided detailed and easy to follow instructions.
I know why I never had luck with loose tea in the past. It’s because I would let the tea seep for a long time to bring out more flavor. That doesn’t work. If you want more flavor you need to add more tea – NOT increase the seeping time. Now that I know that I am sure I’ll make the perfect cup of tea every time.
The First Blush lose tea is really enjoyable. You can see the strawberries inside.
According to Teavana;
Naturally scented jasmine green tea belnded with floral orchid oolong complemented by luscious strawberries, crisp rhubarb and effervescent undertones of bubbly rosé.
The tea smells really nice too.
You can really taste the delicate sweetness of the berries in this tea. Even after I took a sip I could still taste the sweet tea on my lips.
Teavan sent me a container of their Perfectea Rock Sugar to use with my tea. I don’t normally add sugar to my tea. I let my guests use it at their discretion. I found the First Blush tea to be lightly sweet on it’s own.
The Perfectea Rock Sugar was a conversation piece. People liked how it resembled rock candy.
My guests LOVED their mason jar mugs. I think that was the perfect touch. They were much nicer than my mismatched coffee/tea mug collection. LOL! Plus they made for great party favors. I let my guests take their mason jar mugs home with them.
I also had coffee and other beverages on hand for those who didn’t want tea (the women wanted the tea more so then the men). In addition I had cookies, chips, popcorn, cake and scones.
I also lit one of the Best of Me candles which added a pleasant vanilla scent to the living room. I also let my guests take home candles as a party favor.
As for the film… we loved it!
The Best of Me is the story of young lovers, Dawson and Amanda. They met as teenagers.
Dawson was a shy, quiet boy who lived with his abusive father and older brothers. Amanda was an outspoken girl from a well off family who knew what she wanted and didn’t let things stand in her way.
Dawson and Amanda were total opposites, but some how they “clicked.”
Dawson left his abusive father and ran away from home. Out of desperation he broke into a local garage owned by mechanic Tuck to spend the night. When Tuck found him the next morning he surprised Dawson by allowing him to stay as long as he needed to in his garage. In due time Tuck let Dawson move into his home with him.
Amanda and Dawson drew closer to one another. Tuck also became a father figure to Dawson, something he wasn’t getting from his deadbeat, abusive father.
Dawson’s father wanted his son back. When he refused to return home, Dawson’s father decided to take his anger out on Tuck. In retaliation Dawson went to his father’s home intent on killing him with a shotgun. Instead of hurting his father, Dawson’s cousin was accidentally shot and killed. As a result, Dawson was sent to jail for his cousin’s death.
Dawson didn’t want Amanda to give up on her dreams because of him so he broke up with her, even though she said she would wait for Dawson, no matter how long it takes.
Years pass and Dawson and Amanda are reunited. Each had gone on with their lives. Amanda married and had two children. Dawson was still single and working on an oil rig.
The couple of brought together due to a tragedy.
Will they rekindle their feelings for one another? Will old wounds heal? What tragedy brings them together? To find out you need to pick up a copy of The Best of Me, available where movies are sold.
This film was not the huge tear jerker like The Notebook, but it is sad (very sad).
The version of the film I received it called the Tears of Joy version which has an alternate story line and ending. To be honest with you I didn’t like the theatrical ending. I was much happier with the alternate ending.
I loved James Marsden in this film. Swooooooon! He’s gorgeous. Michelle Monaghan (adult Amanda) was a great casting choice too. The film makers did a great job casting Liana Liberato as the young Amanda. She looked a bit like Michelle Monaghan. Luke Bracey, who was cast as the young Dawson does not look anything like James Marsden.
In true Nicholas Sparks fashion the film made me cry. In fact there were a lot of watery eyes among my guests – including the men. It’s not as depression as other Nicholas Sparks films, but it was a tear jerker none the less.
There are bonus features work checking out too including Deleted Scenes, Cast Interviews, a sneak peak at the forthcoming Nicholas Sparks film, Along for the Ride, commentary, “I Did” music video from Lady Antebellum and on the Tears of Joy copy of the film the alternate ending and story line.
Over all it was a pleasant evening. I would certainly do it again.
A special thank you to Fox Home Entertainment and Teavana for all the great goodies too.
Look for The Best of Me where ever films are sold.
For information about Teavana visit www.Teavana.com. You can also find Teavana on all the social networking sites (all the links are found on the bottom of their home page).
You can see what others had to say about the film and Teavana by checking out the hashtags #TheBestofMe #TheBestofTea #TheBestofMeInsiders and #FHEInsiders on social media.
Kimberly
*I received free goodies and a copy of the film in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.