''The Notebook'' (2004 movie)- Review

Directed by: Nick Cassavetes
Released: 2004
Country: United States

Main cast: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Gardner, Gena Rowlands, James Marsden, Joan Allen, Kevin Connolly

Genres: Romantic-Drama

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review

I was tired by the same types of laughter, smiles, giggles, arguments, tears, etc in romantic films.  I thought I'd see the same in ''The Notebook'', which seems to be one of the saddest romantic films people have seen. There are, indeed, some of the above-mentioned tired elements in ''The Notebook'' as well, but you have to admit that it is a powerfully captivating and tear-jerking film.

Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks (who also wrote ''A Walk to Remember''), it is not a ''sad'' movie what people say. The tears that come are mainly because of the emotional powers in the film. The emotional content, you have to admit, is excellent.

These are not the only charms in the film. There are many more beautiful moments in this film making you smile. But let's discuss that later.

The film starts in a hospital. An old woman is suffering from dementia. An old man, also living in the same hospital, reads to her a love story about a boy named Noah and a girl named Allie.

In the 1940s, Noah was a simple village teenager, who, upon meeting the beautiful Allie, who is visiting the village,  falls in love. Allie also falls in love. Their relation deepens, and they become inseparable.

Allie's parents think that it is nothing but a little summer romance, but as their relation deepen, they ensure that Allie doesn't see Noah anymore, and they take Allie back home.

Initially trying to renew their affair by writing letters (which are stolen by Allie's mother), Noah eventually decides to start a new life. 

Seven years pass. Many incidents have changed the life of Noah and Allie. One day, Noah and Abby meet again, and though they promise that it is just a friendship, they realize they still love each other... But there's a problem, though, Allie is engaged. But they ignore this. What happens after all?

It just looks a normal romantic comedy film at the beginning, but then the emotions that develop makes you gaze at the screen with curiosity and emotions.

My favorite scene in the film is the one where Noah and Allie row with the hundreds of gooses around them. It's a beautiful scene. Plus, the last scenes are also very sweet. The titles are shown with a wonderful background of a man rowing, along with a beautiful cinematography. That's something too remarkable.

The movie isn't a typical chick flick. It is more than that, to tell the truth. The emotional intensity that is developed is remarkable (though ''A Walk to Remember'' had touched me more than this film).

As for the acting, they are too remarkable. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are perfect as Noah and Allie respectively, giving sweet enough performances. The old woman in the hospital is played by Gena Rowlands, who is the mother of Nick Cassavetes, the director of the film. James Garner is good as the old man who reads to her (I won't reveal the identity of the two old people, though I think that it is slightly predictable).

In supporting roles, Joan Allen (as Allie's mother), James Marsden (as Lon Hammond), Kevin Connolly (as Fin) are all good. The rest of the cast, playing minor and supporting roles.

I think ''The Notebook'', having a few of those tired romantic elements, is a good movie with an emotional depth and a good screenplay. It was a worth watching film. 

3.5 out of 5