The Notebook (2004)

Originally Reviewed

Sunday December 25, 2005

I have never been a big fan of sappy romance films, but The Notebook made me a fan whether it was the very touching and engrossing story or the tremendous emotional performance given by the lovely Rachel McAdams. Whatever it may have been this film pulled me in, and has made me a fan.

The Notebook begins in a nursing home overlooking a beautiful lake where James Garner is reading a story to an older woman about a young couple, Noah and Allie. Noah was a rather poor mill worker, who immediately falls in love with a rich well to do girl named Allie. Noah isn't one to take no for an answer, if he wants something he'll do whatever it takes to make sure he gets it. So he does whatever he can to get the attention of Allie. His overwhelming passion and persistence to win her over leads to her falling madly in love with him as well.

Throughout the summer Noah and Allie become inseparable, never agreeing on anything but still both madly in love with one another. As the long summer draws towards an end, Allie's parents begin to disapprove of her relationship with Noah because of his social status and lifestyle. Noah begins to realize that this relationship isn't going to work, especially with Allie soon going off to school in New York.  The possibility of the two of them ever being together seems almost impossible, Noah will never be able to live the life she does.

Allie's parents move early and force her to go along before she has a chance to straighten things with Noah or even say goodbye. Noah writes to her everyday for a year but never receives a response, so he decides to move on since its clear Allie has done the same. Allie meets a young wealthy man from the south, who she quickly falls in love with and becomes engaged to, of course her parents approve of him, yet she is still unable to forget her love for Noah.

All is well until Allie spots Noah's picture in the paper in front of a plantation house he had restored. During the summer they spent together Noah had told her of his plans to one day buy this old plantation house and restore it, promising her he would complete it for her. Seeing this brought all the old emotions back and Allie travels back to the small town of Seabrook, where Noah lives, to try and set the past straight before she gets married to her wealthy boyfriend. In doing so she's unable to control her love for Noah must choose between the two men that she loves.

The Notebook is very well done, of course Rachel McAdams was great, I need not say more. Ryan Gosling (Noah) was rather dull at times but made up for it during some of the more emotional scenes. Rachel had the toughest role in my opinion, her character had to go through the worst emotional up and down roller coaster and she pulled it off brilliantly. The scenery in this film was nothing short of breathtaking, especially the scenes overlooking the lake, and the row boat scene with all the ducks.

Overall, I loved this film and think its Rachel’s best performance yet. Without Rachel McAdams I would not have given this film a perfect score. Her performance is the icing on the cake of an already well made film, I think she gave a wonderful performance and can't see anyone else trying to play her role. The films' ending is sad, but at the same time it’s happy, you'll understand what I mean if you watch the film. This is the one film that truly brings me to tears, and if you’re a McAdams fan or like a good romance film, you'll love The Notebook.

10/10