Spring movie season: The recipe for a Nicholas Sparks movie

The spring movie season is upon us, and you know what that means, don’t you?

Yep, another movie based on a Nicholas Sparks romance novel is headed our way. “The Longest Ride” opens April 10.

It’s his 10th book turned into a film. So what sets this one apart from all of Sparks’ other gooey lovefests? Absolutely nothing, it looks like. Sparks’ romances seem to share some common ingredients. Here’s a look:

▪  Start with two ridiculously attractive white people who fall in love.

Heaven forbid any minorities find true love!

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth in “The Last Song.”

Richard Gere and Diane Lane in “Nights in Rodanthe.”

Britt Robertson and Scott Eastwood (yep, that Eastwood — Clint’s his pops) in “The Longest Ride.”

▪  Add a culture clash that could jeopardize said love.

And by all means, make it totally obvious.

Rich girl Rachel McAdams/poor guy Ryan Gosling in “The Notebook.”

Rich guy Shane West/poor girl Mandy Moore in “A Walk to Remember.”

Smart, college-bound girl Benoist/rugged, rodeo-bound guy Eastwood in “The Longest Ride.”

▪  Mix in a watery kissing scene.

Apparently nothing says “hot passion” like two fit, water-logged bodies slapping against each other.

Kissing in the rain in “The Notebook.”

Ditto for “Dear John.”

“The Longest Ride” will have a kissing-in-a-shower and kissing-in-a-lake scene. Bonus!

▪  Add a disease.

Every Sparks romance has a character with some sort of illness or one that has been damaged by the result of it.

“A Walk to Remember” – leukemia

“The Notebook” – Alzeimer’s

“The Longest Ride” – cancer

▪  Fold in dual stories.

What’s better than one romance? Two! In the same movie!

“The Notebook”

“The Best of Me”

“The Longest Ride”

▪  Use war generously.

Sparks’ stories usually are very patriotic.

Zac Efron just served in “The Lucky One.”

Channing Tatum is still serving in “Dear John.”

Jack Huston survived serving World War II in “The Longest Ride.”

▪  Wrap it all up in a familiar poster.

Look for two or more of the following:

Two lovely leads caught pre-kiss or cuddling. Face-holding may be involved.

The glow of a glistening backlight showing off the characters’ perfect skin.

Behold nature: A lovely sunset. A beach. Or, of course, rain.

This story was originally published March 19, 2015 at 8:28 PM with the headline "Spring movie season: The recipe for a Nicholas Sparks movie."