Handout.

Nights In Rodanthe is exactly what you think it is, a rainy day romantic tragedy and a five-hankie film.

Nights In Rodanthe is another in a long line of Nicholas Sparks tear-jerkers, this one focused on middle-aged angst starring Diane Lane as Adrienne, a sad mother working all weekend in a Carolinas coastal B & B.

All of a sudden Dr. Paul shows up, played by Richard Gere, down on his luck and in need of a drink.

The first half of this romantic encounter finds the audience observing their conversation, their behavior, their flirting. Wouldn't you know it, a hurricane suddenly appears, they fall madly in love, and they have a lot to say.

Nights In Rodanthe is directed in a paint by numbers manner by first-time film-maker George C. Wolfe. His basic at best approach is made watchable by two good actors, who know each other, and understand the limits of the material.

Nights In Rodanthe is exactly what you think it is, a rainy day romantic tragedy and a five-hankie film. A good cry and a good swing around the dance floor often feels like therapy.

E-mail gcogill@wfaa.com.