The Notebook
If people are honest with themselves, I believe most would say the best times in their lives were the days when they were utterly and completely happily in love. For most, however, the days of elated love are distant memories. But, what if you got a second chance to reconnect with the only one that ever truly touched your soul? The Notebook gives us that chance. Is it sentimental? Sure. But, in the same way that eating cotton candy can remind world-weary adults of simpler, happier times.
The film shows a couple, Allie and Noah, in two seasons of their lives -- one, in their youth and the other in old age. The older Allie (Gena Rowlands) is now in the final stages of Alzheimer's, but to keep her from fading away from him completely, Noah (James Garner) reads to her from a notebook about their romance. On good days, it sparks a memory for her and they share a few precious moments of intimacy.
The story begins when young Allie (Rachel McAdams), who is staying with her wealthy family at their summer home in North Carolina, meets a quiet, but self-assured Noah (Ryan Gosling), one night at a carnival. He's so taken with her that he hangs from the top of a Ferris wheel until she agrees to go out with him. Her life has been structured for her by her parents. Noah shows her a world where she can make her own choices. Almost from the beginning, they are inseparable.
But, all summers must come to an end, and Allie's parents, as you might expect, put an end to their romance, as well. Allie goes to school in New York and even becomes engaged. Noah goes to and returns from the war. But, neither can forget their time together. Noah even builds the house he promised to build her that summer, believing that in so doing, fate will bring her back. And, somehow it does. When Allie sees a picture of Noah in the newspaper, she returns to the small town where they met as though forces beyond her control have brought her there. As soon as they see each other, their feelings come rushing back. The question is, with Allie's engagement, is it too late for them? The Notebook is a romance movie, after all, so we all know the outcome. What we may not anticipate is the ending between the elderly adults, which brings the relationship full-circle.At first glance, it seems as though this film could be told without the elderly couple. But, what they bring to the film is a sense of everlasting love, a sense that even as elderly adults, they can still feel like love-struck kids. It's what we see when the windows of Alzheimer's open briefly for Allie, and she is able to recognize and share a moment of connection with Noah--if only a fraction of the rest of us could find a love that strong.What I love about this film is the way all of its elements -- the lighting, setting, time period and characters -- evoke a feeling of ideal romance. The warm light of summer, the laughter, the passion, the adoration -- all contribute to it. I want to believe that relationships can be this way and that they can stay this way, even after decades of time together. I want to believe that even in the twilight of a couple's life, they can look at each other and adore each other like they did when they first met. Does it happen often? No. Is it possible? I want to believe it is.
This atmosphere is created in large part through the cinematography. Beautiful birds sweeping across luscious landscapes dotted with Southern mansions depict an era as romantic as the film itself. But, there is also a strong chemistry between the couples in this film. Gosling and McAdams have a sweet innocence about them, and acting veterans Garner and Rowlands convey the maturity and warmth of a couple who have spent their lives together.
The DVD has a host of special features, including deleted scenes, cast interviews, and a look at how they found the locations for the film.