'The Longest Ride': A look at the newest Nicholas Sparks movie

Another Nicholas Sparks novel is coming to the big screen with the release of the movie “The Longest Ride,” which hits theaters on April 10. 

“Ride” follows Sophia (Britt Robertson of “Under the Dome”), who meets a cowboy named Luke (“Fury” actor Scott Eastwood). The two hit it off but must get past various problems, including Luke's risky work, in order to be happy together. Meanwhile, a man named Ira Levinson (Alan Alda) is hurt in a car accident but is comforted by a mirage of his deceased wife who convinces him to stay awake. The film co-stars actors Jack Huston, Melissa Benoist, and Oona Chaplin and is being directed by George Tillman Jr., who previously helmed such films as “Men of Honor” and “Notorious.”

Sparks’ work was also the basis for such movies as “The Notebook,” “Dear John,” and “Safe Haven,” among others. "Notebook," which was released in 2004, is ranked at number 15 on a list of highest-grossing romantic dramas of all time created by the website Box Office Mojo, with "John" close behind it at number 16.  

The author told the website Gurl that he doesn’t think his movies are depicting relationships that wouldn’t be true to life. 

“Long relationships are work, that’s it,” Sparks said. “If you find someone who is willing to work as hard as you are and who has the same end goal, the same ability to compromise and forgive, move on and support and all that, then, well, you’ve got a good shot, but it’s still work. That’s what it is but it’s not unrealistic.”

Meanwhile, Robertson said she also thinks the movie’s story reflects the theme of compromising.

“It’s about sacrifice and understanding the other person and where they’re coming from,” the actress told the website Gurl. “So I’ll try to use that in my own life eventually.”