Let's just face it.... Zac Efron is one hell of a handsome man! It's true! I mean I felt like a fourteen-year old girl while watching Charlie St. Cloud because I couldn't stop looking at him. He's hypnotic. But I realized while viewing the movie that its not just his good looks that make him so captivating to watch, its the fact that he is also a very good actor who could very well become a great actor some day. Efron has that star quality ... that "it" factor that is ever so important to have if you are a movie star but he also shows in this film that he has the emotional depth and the acting chops to carry a film like this himself. He feels very at place in the lead of this film and is in complete control of his character at all times. I was reminded of a young Tom Cruise when watching Efron but I think with the right career choices Efron has the potential to even surpass Cruise's success considering his raw ability and his natural talent as a performer.

That being said, it is Efron's performance that makes or breaks this film and he often succeeds even when the movie itself isn't as good as his performance. Accompanying Efron's work is another excellent performance by young actor Charlie Tahan, who shows wisdom beyond his years pulling off a very difficult role. Actress Amanda Crew is also very good in the film and too has a unique quality that shines on screen in what could be considered a very difficult role. Anchoring the movie are some great supporting performances from veteran actors such as Oscar winner Kim Basinger as the St. Cloud brothers' Mom, although her role is relegated to the beginning of the film, as well as Ray Liotta as a helpful paramedic and Donal Louge as a dedicated sailing coach. If there are any weak points in the film they come from the script by Craig Pearce, which jumps all over the place and is often confusing, and director Burr Steers who's work on this film at times seems uneven and flat.

The film begins by introducing us to Charlie St. Cloud (Efron), a super successful high school student living in the Pacific North West who is a sailing champion and about to except a full scholarship to a prestigious University. Charlie has a very close relationship with his brother Sam, partly due to his father leaving them when they were young and is in affect his father figure, brother and best friend. Sam is beginning to realize that his life will change when Charlie goes off to school in the fall and is already missing his best friend. Charlie makes Sam a deal; he'll meet him after work everyday at sunset at a special spot and teach him how to play baseball before he leaves for school. Tragedy strikes one night when Charlie's mom (Basinger) has to go to work and asks Charlie to watch after his brother. Wanting to go to his friends going-away party Charlie sneaks out and Sam tags along with him. When a car crashes into the boys, which Charlie is not responsible for, Sam is quickly killed and Charlie is left devastated by the accident. Fast-forward five years later and we find Charlie is still living in his hometown working as a groundskeeper at the local graveyard. His mother has moved away and Charlie is still dealing with the repercussions of his brother's death.

While the locals view Charlie as a tragic failure, having let his scholarship and talent fade away after the accident, Charlie has secretly cultivated a great power ... the ability to talk to the dead. Through this ability Charlie is able to visit with Sam everyday and keep his promise as they play catch every afternoon at sunset. Working in a graveyard also allows Charlie to visit other dearly departed friends including several of his high school buddies who joined the army and died during the war. Charlie's guilt over his brother's death is eating him alive and he is having a very hard time of letting go. Florio Ferrente (Liotta) the paramedic who saved Charlie's life after the car accident tries to influence him to get on with his life as he believes that it was a miracle that guided him to save Charlie and that now it his duty to embrace his second chance.

When a high school acquaintance named Tess (Crew), who is now a national champion at competitive sailing, returns to the town to get ready for a race she and Charlie begin a very strange relationship. As they get closer to each other, she encourages him to let go of Sam's ghost and embrace the life around him but Tess is harboring a dangerous secret of her own that could put her life and their relationship in jeopardy. Now Charlie must choose between his rare gift with Sam and his love for Tess in order to save her from a tragic outcome. Now Charlie must choose between life and death and let his brother's spirit go if he ever wants to start truly living again.

The film tells a lovely story and I think especially young teens (mostly girls) will really enjoy this movie. It is a touching story and Efron carries the film well. The direction at times is a bit confusing and uneven but the subject matter and Efron's performance is enough to keep your attention and overcome some of the film's other shortcomings. But in the end, this movie is a vehicle for Zac Efron and he rises to the occasion well giving an emotional, entertaining and well-rounded performance. Charlie St. Cloud is basically a hybrid of "The Sixth Sense" and a Nicholas Sparks book but transcends its misgivings with powerful subject matter and a star-making role by Zac Efron.