The Notebook
April 12, 2008
One of the best love stories to come along in years. True love, told softly, and although doing the book justice, it isn’t confined by the book. The actors make it their own and give us one of the best tear-jerkers of the year (or any year) This film can be added to small number of perfect love stories made for the big screen and will become a timeless classic that will hold up for many decades to come.
The film begins with Duke and Allie, played by James Garner and Gena Rowlands at peace in their comfortable nursing home living out their twilight years together. Duke is reading to Allie from a notebook/diary, telling the story of a young couple in 1940’s North Carolina as they first meet and fall in love. The young couple, Noah and Allie are played by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. The movie is told in flash back, chronicling the young lovers first meeting and the eagerness and recklessness of first love. Allie is from a well to do family while Noah is from working class roots. Allie’s parents soon breakup the couple and Noah is of to fight in World War II. During the war Allie nurses a wounded soldier back to health (Lon) played by James Marsden, and after the war courts young Allie, the two are soon engaged. When Allie finds out the Noah has returned from the war is restoring the old home his father left him, she has to see him one last time before she’s married. Here’s when the film really takes off. Lets just say, if true love is to prevail it wont be easy.
Plot: The plot is wonderfully refreshing. Told in flash back and narrated by Garner. Two young people from opposite sides of the tracks who meant to for each other, soul mates. As Duke reads the story to Allie it’s so captivating and exciting that for short moments she regains her memory and we get a chance to see two loves stories. Duke continues to read so he can have brief glimpses of his love captured if only for minutes at a time. There a moments in the film that are truly heartbreaking.
Acting: Excellent all around. Ryan Gosling is fresh and new and shows he can be serious while also being playful and wild at heart in his love Allie. Rachel McAdams is almost unrecognized from her role in “Mean Girls”, beautiful and soft, the role fits her very well. Garner and Rowlands and just perfect. Showing the range and depth of two old professionals that still have what is takes as they deliver some of the most tender and loving moments in the movie.
Final Word: This movie will be in the same category as Titanic, Ghost, Love Story, and The English Patient, just to name a few. So far, this is our generations best pure love story film. It appeals to all audiences, young and old, and if think your not going to cry, think again. When you get your popcorn and cosy up on the couch to watch this one make sure you have plenty tissue handy, your going to need them for this What-to-Watch classic.
Try Blockbuster Total Access FREE for 2 weeks!
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
George
Finished watching this one about 5 minutes ago after reading your review a couple of days ago. Thanks for the great recommendation.
I really did enjoy it although I found it was a little too well packaged for me to include it in any top list. I would never put it in the same category as Titanic but that’s just personal preference. The important thing is I thoroughly enjoyed myself and can recommend it to anyone.
George´s last blog ..IMHO #1
Oct 22nd, 2009
Phil
anytime
Nov 17th, 2009
Reply to “The Notebook”