Richard Jenkins – that great supporting character actor who elevates almost everything he’s in (with the possible exception of Fun With Dick And Jane) – has joined the cast of Lasse Hallstrom’s tear-jerker, Dear John.
Jenkins, who may well bag an Oscar nom next year for his role in The Visitor, has signed on to play the father of Channing Tatum’s father in the romantic drama, which is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.
Tatum plays a soldier who falls in love with Amanda Seyfried (and, frankly, who wouldn’t?), while he’s on leave. But when he goes back on duty, it all goes a bit pear-shaped.
The film is currently shooting in South Carolina, and with Jenkins on board, our enthusiasm levels have increased. Hallstrom knows how to push those teary buttons, and even though it’ll probably be a small role, Jenkins is like the new Gene Hackman – so good we’ll watch him in anything. Even if it means having to pretend afterwards that we had something caught in our eye.