The Notebook

The Notebook (2004)

RATING 4/10

BOTTOM LINE: A film like this relies on performances, and unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the rest of the cast, Ryan Gosling sucks the life out of this supposedly touching story, which goes from one lifeless scene to another, culminating in an ending that pushes the bounds of fantasy, even for Hollywood.

THE GOOD: The Notebook is based on the novel of the same name and tells the story of a romance and relationship between Allie (McAdams) and Noah (Gosling). As expected, it is full of ups and downs and dramas, but what makes this story different is that it is narrated by old versions of themselves played by James Garner and Gena Rowlands, with Noah narrating their story to Allie who has is now suffering from dementia and cannot remember him. It is on this last point that the film is potentially interesting in that you do not usually see this sort of scenario in a romantic fantasy like this. The film’s strongest scenes are played by Garner and Rowlands, particularly in those sequences where Allie remembers him for a brief time before forgetting him again, and seeing the anguish and heartache on Noah’s face, as played by the always good Garner. In this respect, the film is set up for something more special and unique, and in a few brief moments here and there, the film is noteworthy.

THE BAD: Given the reputation this film has received, it came as a surprise to see how lifeless and flat the overall execution of it was. The weakest scenes, and the ones that comprise most of the film, relate to the young versions of Allie and Noah played by Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling. Poor McAdams; she does an amicable job trying to stir up some emotion, but she is constantly facing a deadpan and expressionless Gosling. Two examples come to mind of how his performance sucks the life out of this movie. The first is when he is breaking up with a current lover now that Allie is back in his life. The camera is on her as she gives this moving performance, and then when it cuts to him, he is totally blank. It comes off as a joke and kills the scene. The second example is when Noah’s best friend dies in his arms on the battlefield during World War II. The camera barely stays on Noah, as if director Nick Cassavetes knows not to go there because when he does, the same old expressionless face shows up. The sequence where Noah meets Allie and woos her is another example; he comes across like a needy, obsessed boy and it is extremely difficult to see why Allie would even agree to go out with him in the first place. Gosling is not entirely to blame here though. Cassavetes clearly mis-cast him, and this is no more prevalent than when you compare him with James Garner who is playing the older version of his character. From character, performance, and appearance, there is nothing to connect the two of them. During the first half of the movie, I actually thought Garner was representing someone else, but no, when it is plainly spelled out who he is, the result was nothing other than disappointment. Garner is a class actor and really grounds his character in an emotional reality that you can feel for. Gosling on the other hand does the exact opposite. And since this entire film rests on going on the journey with these characters, the film falls flat on its face. The icing on the cake of course is the utter fantasy that is the ending. If what had come before was stronger, the thought of them dying in each other’s arms in the retirement home may have been touching, but as it was not, the scene is particularly laughable and unbelievable.

Todd Murphy <br />
http://www.allaboutmovies.net

THE NOTEBOOK

THE NOTEBOOK is an exceptional film, clearly one of the better movies produced within the past few years. Among the many things that makes this movie remarkable is that they very rarely make movies like this anymore -- by "they" I mean Hollywood, independents, anyone and everyone now that the sequel/prequel/retread craze is in full swing. Let me also add that when Hollywood (especially) attempts a project that is steeped in personal, heartfelt human emotions they usually screw it up beyond comprehension.

An example of what I mean is WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, the equivalent of a technicolor pap smear that ranks among the worst movies of all time. Another dud was FORREST GUMP -- the big budget Tom Hanks hanky panky that was so annoyingly retarded in its execution I personally feel everyone responsible should be executed. Both of these diabetic duds were pretentious beyond belief, and so it was with considerable reservation that I rented this filmed adaptation of the best selling book by Nicholas Sparks. I expected Hollywood's equivalence of a "Big Chief" Notebook, or worse. I was very pleasantly surprised; not since the days of Douglas Sirk has an unabashed "weepy" been so beautifully crafted.

Under the skillful direction of Nick Cassavetes, John's son, and with a practically perfect cast, THE NOTEBOOK succeeds in every aspect. Rachel McAdams is brilliant beyond belief as the young Allie Hamilton. Her electric performance sizzles thoughout -- this gal is destined for stardom. And if you happen to be a Gena Davis fan, then God help you. Ms. McAdams' energetic performance will leave you secreting from every orifice of your body. Opposite her is Ryan Gosling, an actor I had not seen before but whose steady, winning performance insures a long career ahead as well. Ryan's skillfully nuanced portrayal of the young Noah is a perfect counterpart to the vivacious Allie -- these young actors capture an on-screen chemistry that is something to behold. Of course, Gena Rowlands (Nick's mom in real life) is excellent, as always, as is James Garner, an actor whose entire body of work remains both solid and underappreciated. Throw in Joan Allen and Sam Shepard and you have a film that is as well cast from top to bottom as MATEWAN -- and I don't say that lightly.

Special mention also must be given to Cinematographer Robert Fraisse, whose beautiful camera work provides a striking, saturated "look" that is both rich and appropriate for this idealized story of love, of love lost and of love refound in stunningly scenic South Carolina.

On your list of films to rent in the days ahead I urge you to pencil in THE NOTEBOOK...and be sure to have a full box of Kleenex handy. If you are like me, you'll feel as dehydrated as an Egyptian mummy when the closing credits appear.

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Robert A. Nowotny

The Notebook

Did you ever dream of a great love? Which never fade until you grow old and die?
Well, I think everyone dream to have that, to be forever in love and happy with the one you really love. Like me, I always dream of someone who will love me for what I am, until I grow old and die. Someone's who's always there no matter what happens. Who would never forget our love story and treasure it for a lifetime. Who would tell everyone of one great love that happens to us. I always imagine myself having that partner in my life.


Here's a love story film about great love which really touches my heart and made me cry until the end of the story.


The Notebook centered on an old man reading a love story from the notebook to an old woman in nursing home. The story is about two young lovers who meet one evening at the carnival, named Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun. They fall in love with each other and have an affair but Allie's parents separated them because Noah's family is not wealthy.


Years pass by, Noah become soldier and still hoping that one day he will meet Allie again. On the other hand, Allie's meet other man at the hospital where she was working. She get engaged to this handsome man named Lon, a young soldier. But Allie's love for Noah is still alive. One day Allie saw Noah at the newspaper who is selling the house that he reserved for Allie. And their past back at her mind when they were together.


When she saw Noah at the newspaper she quickly pack her things to go on vacation at their province where she met Noah. When they saw each other they felt the love for each other that never fade after a long years they have been separated. After Allie realized that she is still in love with Noah, she cancel her wedding with his fiancée and she gets married to Noah.

 


House from The Notebook that is build by Noah for Allie

 

The story was not yet finish because the old man who is telling the story is Noah and the old woman in the nursing room is Allie. Noah tell the story to Allie so that she can remember their love for each other because Allie has Alzheimer's disease while Noah has a heart problem. Whenever Allie remember the story, she only remember it for 5 minutes, which forces Noah to read it over and over again.

The story ended at Allie's room where she already remember Noah, they die sleeping and holding each other hands.


Movie Trailer: The Notebook




Movie Review : The Notebook

The ending of the story is very touching and really makes me cry. Even they are both old and have a disease they prove their love for each other. They die together loving each other. I'm just wondering If I can still find that great love. But I have to wait until I grow old with my partner.

I recommend this movie is a nice and good movie that can touches your heart and will let you feel the feeling of having a great love.

http://www.favorite-movie-review.blogspot.com

Last updated: 2010-03-29 08:10:03 by user07

The Notebook (2004)

My future wife is the star here so you know that’s already about 90% of the reasons why its included. The other 10%? well, because this damn love story truly is a really good movie! And Ryan Gosling, who’s one of my favorite young actors, adds more points.  PLUS you know that the whole Gena Rowland/James Garner had you crying a bit, don’t even lie!

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The Notebook — 10

I honestly have never in my life been told to watch a movie as much as I have this one. And yes this was my first time watching this movie.

Honestly I think this is one of those movies that got hyped up for me just a little bit too much. This movie was by no means a bad one, it was still really really good, but with the amount of people that told me I needed to see this, I expected a movie that was so good I would not find a comparison to it ever again. Well the movie was awesome, but I could easily pick out 10 movies that were better than it (at least in my personal opinion).

I would almost call this a chick flick, but that is completely wrong, this is just a plain love story. Its romantic, epic, and above all 100% relatable. From the man’s point of view it’s the one that got away. From the woman’s point of view, it’s the only person she ever loved (or at least I am assuming so).

I really cannot go into too much detail about the story without ruining it, since the entire movie is nothing but story, there is nothing else to go on. But I will say that the movie is well worth you time to watch. It is no masterpiece, but it sure as hell is one of the best love stories I have ever watched.

The ending was amazing. I could not honestly think of a better way to end the movie. It had me in tears it was so good. Even reflecting back upon it now while writing this I am getting tears in my eyes. And to tell you the truth, it’s not about how sad the ending is, but how amazingly awesome it is for something like that to happen. It’s something that every person wants, but only a rare few ever get to experience it.

All in all, it is well worth your time to watch it. I highly recommend it, but don’t go into it expecting it to be the best movie ever made and you will enjoy it.

Base Score = 8
+1 for an amazing story
+1 for being relatable
+1 for an amazing ending
+1 for making me cry
=12/10

Last updated: 2010-01-12 02:05:53 by Tolll

The Notebook (2004)

With Dear John coming out, this just had to be done.
Two young lovers (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) are torn apart by war and class differences in the 1940s in this adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’s best-selling novel. Their story is told by a man (James Garner) who, years later, reads from a notebook while he visits a woman in a nursing home (Gena Rowlands).

This film since the time it came out has had chicks all over the world, just crying their eyes out saying “I love this movie, it’s so sad and romantic”. For me, I never wanted to buy into this crap, but I did, and I’m actually glad I did.

Now when it comes to melodramatic romances, this film is pretty high up there. I mean there are plenty of times where I was reminded of some of the other great Romance stories, and this film does it very well. The film is a tearjerker and at some scenes I did get a bit emotional, not totally, but a bit. Just the general romance between these two and how they still are able to love one another, actually makes this film worthwhile.

While most of the movie is set in the 1940’s and gives you a feel for that era, I felt some of the language and actions were a little bit anachronistic — nothing major, but just enough to occasionally break the illusion (such as a very Joan Rivers-like finger down the throat gesture. Perhaps they did this in the ’40’s but it seemed out of place whether it truly was or not.)

The problem with this film is that it is a very predictable and obvious story. I mean the constant flashbacks kind of pissed me off cause they gave away the ending to the story which would have kept me wondering till the end what was going to happen to these two. Also, though it doesn’t matter to me in some movies, the score in this film just didn’t feel right. There were little pieces that could have been a lot more emotional if given the right type of movement within the music, I don’t know it’s just me though.

Much of the praise goes to the chemistry between its two stars. Gosling as always is great, and shows that he can play those toned-down roles like the back of his hand. But the best here is Rachel McAdams who much to my surprise here is given such a difficult role that calls for a lot of changes and emotion, and mostly on every note she hits it very well. Their love feels real by the end of the film and not just because the film is trying to tell you that, is cause when they talk they talk like real people.

Consensus: Though it has an obvious predictable story with an over-done score, The Notebook features enough emotional depth, and wonderful chemistry to keep me entertained throughout this sappy tearjerker.

8/10=Matinee!!!!

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