🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Ross Katz
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Release year: 2016
- Runtime (length): 1h 51min
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10 (91,913 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 12%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A vet steals his neighbor’s girlfriend, they get married, and then she gets put on life support, so he has to decide whether or not to unplug her.
🍿 The Choice: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Meeting the Neighbors
Travis Shaw, a charismatic veterinarian, enjoys his carefree life in coastal North Carolina. His world is disrupted by the arrival of his new neighbor, Gabby Holland, a medical student. Their initial encounters are marked by clashes, stemming from noise complaints and suspicions about their dogs’ involvement in a canine pregnancy. Despite their differences, an undeniable attraction simmers beneath the surface.

Forbidden Love
Gabby is already in a committed relationship with Ryan McCarthy, a fellow doctor. However, as Ryan leaves town for a medical retreat, Gabby finds herself drawn to Travis’s charm and easygoing nature. Their friendship deepens, leading to moments of undeniable connection, blurring the lines between friendship and something more. The chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore, setting the stage for a complicated love triangle.

The Choice is Made
When Ryan returns, Gabby is torn between her loyalty to him and her burgeoning feelings for Travis. She attempts to return to her previous life, but the pull of her heart is too strong. Ultimately, Gabby chooses to end her relationship with Ryan and pursue a future with Travis. Their love blossoms, leading to marriage and a family, seemingly solidifying their happiness.

Life’s Unforeseen Challenges
Years later, Travis and Gabby’s relationship faces a devastating challenge. On what was meant to be a date night, Gabby is involved in a severe car accident, leaving her in a coma. Travis is faced with an unimaginable decision: whether to keep her on life support or honor her potential wishes and let her go. The weight of this choice threatens to shatter their seemingly perfect world.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Travis (Benjamin Walker): A charming veterinarian who falls for his new neighbor, leading him to make difficult life choices.
- Gabby (Teresa Palmer): A medical student who develops a relationship with her neighbor Travis, despite having a boyfriend.
- Ryan (Tom Welling): Gabby’s initial boyfriend, a doctor, whose proposal forces Gabby to choose between her love interests.
- Monica (Alexandra Daddario): Travis’s on-and-off girlfriend, who recognizes his feelings for Gabby and encourages him to pursue them.
- Shep (Tom Wilkinson): Travis’s father and a fellow veterinarian, who provides guidance and support to his son.
- Steph (Maggie Grace): Travis’s sister who supports and gives advice to Travis about his complicated love life.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Travis: “Damn it, Gabby, you bother me.” – Said by Travis, this line captures the initial playful animosity and burgeoning attraction between him and Gabby.
- Gabby: “I heard every word you said. You were breathing for me baby. Your heart beat for mine.” – Gabby says this to Travis after awakening from her coma, expressing her awareness of his presence and love during her unconscious state.
- Shep: “Love is the most powerful thing in the world.” – Shep says this to Travis reflecting on his love for his late wife, highlighting the central theme of the movie.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $18,730,891
- Worldwide Gross: $23,079,932
💥 The Choice Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’m a sucker for these movies, and I knew what I was getting into. The scenery was gorgeous, and Benjamin Walker was charming. I did find myself a bit frustrated with the ‘love triangle’ trope, and the ending felt a bit rushed, but the overall emotional impact was there. I would watch it again on a rainy day. But it’s not Nicholas Sparks best work.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Nicholas Sparks novels and movies.”
- “Viewers who enjoy romantic dramas with emotional depth.”
- “Those seeking a tear-jerking story about love and difficult decisions.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Car accident resulting in a coma.”
- “Themes of life support and end-of-life decisions.”
- “Brief depiction of infidelity (before the characters commit to each other).”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Predictable plot, wooden acting and no character depth. This movie has been adapted from Nicholas Sparks but nothing special from the Nicholas Sparks brand. The characters come decorated in the same kind of clothing as the next, as they’re built from the ground up on impossibly romantic circumstances, characters that always look beautiful no matter what, a truly tragic plot device played up perfectly to engineer an emotional reaction rather than naturally warrant one, and a slew of perfect moments.
- IMDb: “The storyline is pretty obvious, you know they’ll end up together but the performances were great. The scenery is stunning. Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Grace were terrific but it was Benjamin Walker who stole the show with a terrific performance. It’s your typical Nicholas Sparks film with a happy ending.
- IMDb: “One of the worst Sparksian film adaptations. The same overused type of guy from almost every romantic drama film: tall, handsome, smart, rich, charming, never been in love (until now), player and of course, single. What really bothered me was the awkward acting and cringe-worthy lines. And do not even get me started on those puppies! I almost felt offended!
Audience Reactions
The beautiful North Carolina coastal setting makes this movie visually appealing.: Many viewers enjoyed the charming leads and the movie’s exploration of love and choice, despite the predictable storyline.
Benjamin Walker’s performance stood out for many viewers who praised his charisma and acting abilities.: The movie effectively tugs at heartstrings, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the romance genre.
Overall Consensus: A typical Nicholas Sparks romance movie with predictable plot points but beautiful scenery. Benjamin Walker and the rest of the cast pulled together a heart-felt movie that is sure to grab the attention of the romantics at heart.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The Choice is the eleventh Nicholas Sparks novel adapted into a film.”
- “Filming took place in various locations in North Carolina, capturing the coastal setting of the story.”
- “Benjamin Walker’s performance as Travis was praised for bringing snark and personality to the character.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Choice?
The Choice is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or purchase it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. For physical media, look for DVD and Blu-ray copies at major retailers or online marketplaces.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Choice, you might like these similar films:
- The Notebook (2004): Also based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, it explores a timeless love story with similar themes of enduring romance and overcoming obstacles.
- Dear John (2010): Another Nicholas Sparks adaptation focusing on a love story challenged by external circumstances, similar to the trials faced by Travis and Gabby.
- Message in a Bottle (1999): A story of love found in unexpected ways, highlighting themes of fate and second chances, much like the serendipitous connection between the main characters.
- The Vow (2012): Features a love story where a tragic accident tests the strength of a marriage, similar to the challenges faced by Travis and Gabby after Gabby’s accident.
🛒 The Choice Related Products
- The Choice by Nicholas Sparks (Paperback): The original novel that inspired the movie, offering a deeper dive into the characters and their emotions.
- Hallmark Movies Now Streaming Service: Access to a library of romance movies similar to The Choice.
- wind chime: Add a rustic charm and natural style to your outdoor space with this wind chime.
- Dog Toys for Large Dogs: Dog lovers will always love a movie like this. Great entertainment and also a reminder of how important it is to care for our companions.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Choice features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The Choice was primarily filmed in various locations throughout North Carolina, USA, specifically in the Wilmington and Beaufort areas. The coastal setting plays a significant role in the movie’s atmosphere.
No, The Choice is not based on a true story. It is a work of fiction written by Nicholas Sparks, known for his romantic novels and their subsequent film adaptations. While the story is fictional, it explores themes of love, loss, and difficult decisions that resonate with many viewers.
The central ‘choice’ revolves around Travis’s agonizing decision whether to remove Gabby from life support after she falls into a coma. He grapples with respecting her potential wishes and his unwavering love for her. This decision forms the emotional core of the film’s climax.
Yes, The Choice is generally considered a sad movie, particularly due to Gabby’s accident and the ensuing dilemma faced by Travis. While it has moments of romance and happiness, the overall tone is emotionally charged and can be quite tear-jerking for viewers.
🔥 Bonus Content
I guess you have a choice #movie #shorts #viralvideo
Ever been in a situation where you felt like you had no real choice? This short clip perfectly captures that feeling, and honestly, it’s pretty relatable. See how the characters navigate this tough decision!
The sniper had a very difficult choice to make😱 #movie #series
This scene gave me chills! Watch as the sniper makes a heart-wrenching decision that will have you on the edge of your seat. Can you imagine being in that position?
Everyone is surprised by his choice…😯😓 #movie #series
Okay, I did NOT see that coming! This character’s unexpected choice left everyone speechless, and it might leave you speechless too! Curious what happens next?
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