"CHARLIE ST. CLOUD" ****4 STARS

"Charlie St. Cloud" is a touching love story about a young man played by teen idol Zac Efron who's devastated by the death of his little brother Sam (Charlie Tahan).  Charlie (Efron) shuts down, puts his life and love of sailing on hold and lives and works as a caretaker at a graveyard where his little brother is buried. He's so overcome with grief that he sees his brother's ghost, and promises never to leave him. Charlie (Efron) keeps their bond alive by meeting him everyday to play catch and talk.

You see a more serious side of Efron in this romantic drama. He's flexing some serious acting chops, trying to move from teen heart-throb to leading man status and it works. This role is challenging because Efron's character is at a dark point in his life. It's not glamourous, or sexy to see him struggling with this kind of loss. He's given up his life, his love of sailing, and his plans for college because he doesn't want to leave his brother.  

Despite his self imposed isolation love breaks through and finds a way into his life when Charlie (Efron) falls for Tess (Amanda Crew) an old  high school classmate who's also a champion sailor. Charlie has to decide if he's willing to start living again and open his heart to love, or if he's ready to  give up his promise to his brother.  "Charlie St. Cloud" is a romantic drama infused with a little fantasy. Elements of this movie reminds me of three of my favorite films:"Ghost","The Sixth Sense"and "Field of Dreams". 

Charlie Tahan steals the show as Sam, Charlie's (Efron's) little brother. He worships the ground his big brother walks on, and Charlie treats him like a loving, protective father. The two are inseparable. Tess (Amanda Crew) is vulnerable, yet strong, quirky and cute as Charlie's (Efron's) love interest. She's also his female counterpart in the sport of sailing, and that's what draws them to each other. Their romantic relationship grows and develops in an unusual way and that's all I'm going to say about it because I don't want to spoil the amazing journey you're about to experience. This is a great transition film for Zac Efron setting the stage for more adult roles. "Charlie St. Cloud" is an inspiring movie that will tug at your heart strings. 

PG 13
Romantic/Drama/Fantasy
4 Stars
Universal Pictures
Cast: Zac Efron, Charlie Tehan, Amanda Crew