be a middle age mom myself and i very much appreciate see a romance between grow up people that weave in the many issue that effect u . diane lane beautifully portray adrienne and the sacrifice and conflict that a mother go through and want to do what be right for her child and but still have a happy life herself . i be not a big richard gere fan and but he always do a good job with the guy who be sort of jerk and but learn something about himself . criticism of their romance a unrealistic be hardly justified when compare to most other romantic movie . when nicole kidman and hugh jackman fall in love rid across australia and with barely a conversation between them and it consider high romance . we get so much more here with rodanthe . she redeem him . he set her free . it beautiful . the intimacy they create by share their deep insecurity and fan into a flame of passion . how long it take be irrelevant . perhaps the movie be a bit too subtle in the point that it be the letter they share over the following year that deepen their relationship again another real life time honor way to get to know a person . as much a i enjoy the plot and theme and the dialogue be not consistent in quality . some line ring so true and and other line be embarrassingly trite and flat . i also enjoy the relationship with adrienne teenage daughter and her best friend and remind u that there be many type of love and not just romantic love . this be not a lighthearted romantic comedy and more a romantic drama . it do have a very relaxed pace that some might consider too slow . the beach house be a work of art fabulous . look for the driftwood bench on the porch in the first pan over the house very beautiful . i also enjoy the music and scenery and which combine to create the effect of the location a be the third main character . it be this place away from their regular life that allow them to see themselves and each other in a different light . if you be old enough to appreciate these theme and be in the mood for a good cry get out the kleenex and enjoy this movie .