The Notebook

Having watched a lot of science fiction and ridiculous movies of late, Ginny and I decided to hunker down for an old-fashioned cry fest -- the culprit: The Notebook. This review comes with the following disclaimer: do not attempt to watch this movie without a box of Kleenex and a jug of Gatorade to stay hydrated. You don't want to get a cramp from crying in the middle of the movie.

The Love Story

If you've seen any of the advertisements for this film or heard anything about it at all, you'll know that it does pretend to be anything but a classic love story. Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) is the poor boy who falls in love with Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams), the daughter of rich parents who do not approve of their daughter's relationship with someone of lower financial standing.

Noah is a passionate young man who wins over Allie's heart in a number of surprising ways, including lying in the middle of a street intersection to look at the stars, and their tumultuous story is related by an old man (James Garner) to a woman (Gena Rowlands) at a nursing home. The movie is divided between Noah and Allie's relationship and the narrator's relationship with the woman he is reading to, the notebook containing the story seemingly their only link.

The Effect

I'm a bit of a fan of Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, and they both put in great performances as the romantic interest. The story brings you along for the ride, and will bring tears to your eyes through the imagery and the plot itself. This film is along the lines of Up and Ghost on the cry-o-meter, and will make you smile even as you're wiping the saltiness from your face.

This movie is definitely worth seeing if you are not averse to watching romantic films, and if you have a significant other, watch it with them. That way you won't be the only one bawling your eyes out.

Rating: 8.0/10.0