Robert Pattinson has taken a temporary break from his vampire role in the “Twilight” series to produce and star in a romantic drama called “Remember Me.”

It’s easy to see why he was attracted to the material. It’s generally well written, has some terrific dialogue and provided Pattinson with a meaty role.

But the film’s ostentatious and terribly ill conceived finale nearly undoes all of the good work that comes before it.

The story by newcomer Will Fetters is book-ended by tragedies.

The opening sequence shows woman and her very young daughter waiting for a New York City subway train. Hoods rob them and the mother is shot and killed.

Flash forward ten years and we meet Tyler Hawkins (Pattinson), an NYU “student” who audits classes. He’s smart, good looking and personable. He’s also been alternately melancholy and rebellious since his older brother committed suicide a few years earlier.

Tyler is estranged from his fabulously wealthy father Charles (Pierce Brosnan from “The Ghost Writer”), a stern and cold businessman.

Tyler dotes on his little sister Caroline (young Ruby Jerins) who is essentially ignored by her father.

After getting into a fight outside of a bar, Tyler is busted by a cop, Sgt. Neil Craig (Chris Cooper from “New York, I Love You”). Egged on by his roommate, Tyler asks Craig’s daughter out for a date.

Craig’s daughter Ally (Emilie de Ravin from TV’s “Lost”) is the little girl who watched her mother die on the subway platform. Although he initially asked her out for revenge on the cop, Tyler and Ally soon fall in love. These souls, both survivors of tragedy, seem linked by their respective troubles.

But, will Ally discover the real reason the Tyler asked her out? Will Tyler and his father continue their dispute? Will Tyler get his act together and make something of his life?

While all of this is every bit as calculated as it sounds, the sharp dialogue and strong cast help to temper some of the screenplay’s vexing elements.

Pattinson and de Ravin make a very effective romantic couple with genuine onscreen chemistry.

Director Allen Coulter (TV’s “The Sopranos”) draws good performances from his supporting cast as well.

Cooper is rock solid, as always. Young Jerins is terrific and Tate Ellington (“The Invention of Lying”), who plays Tyler’s annoying roommate, manages to breathe some life into his clichéd character.

Sadly, most of the goodwill they generate may be wiped out by the movie’s pretentious and exploitive finale. (PG-13) Rating: ***

* Avoid at all costs
** Only if you're bored
*** Good movie
**** Well worth your time
***** Be sure to see it