Tori Russo
Mrs. Lodge
APLAC
12 February 2012
The Notebook
Although it
was released in 2004, The Notebook continues
to be the movie of choice for both romantics and anyone looking for an
exceptional movie. The Notebook stars
Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, is directed by Nick Cassavetes, and tells a remarkable
story about true love.
The Notebook begins with an elderly man (James
Garner) reading to an elderly woman (Gena Rowlands) in the hopes of restoring
her memory which has been overtaken by Alzheimer’s disease. The elderly man
visits the woman every day and reads a story to her from his notebook. The
story in the notebook is about a young girl named Allie Hamilton (McAdams) who is
accompanied by her wealthy parents on a vacation in Seabrook. While in
Seabrook, Allie catches the eye of young Noah Calhoun (Gosling), a hard working
boy from town. The two meet one night at the town fair, and after Noah hangs
off of the Ferris wheel, Allie agrees to go out with him. They continue to go
out on numerous dates, and their relationship becomes very serious.
Unfortunately, Allie’s parents see Noah as unfit for their daughter, and
attempt to break them up. Allie’s mother decides to cut the vacation short,
forcing Noah and Allie to end their relationship.
The Notebook
creates an unforgettable and emotional roller coaster, deeming it the greatest
love story ever created. Not only that, but romance films are defined as “love
stories that focus on passion, emotion, and the affectionate involvement of the
main characters and the journey that their love takes through courtship or marriage,”
(Wikipedia). The Notebook not only
meets this criteria; it exceeds the criteria. The audience is continually intrigued
by the passion and love between Noah and Allie.
As Allie grows up, the audience can see her falling in love
with Lon, a rich man Allie meets while working in the infirmary. When Allie
decides to visit Seabrook again, she visits Noah. After an argument and overcome
with passion, Noah declares to Allie, “So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be
really hard. We’re gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that
because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day,”
(IMDb.com) This scene is vital to the rest of the film and the decision Allie ultimately
makes about who she desires to spend the rest of her life with. The quote
proves how much Allie means to Noah and how much he loves her. Noah assures
Allie that he is truly in love with her and that no matter how challenging
things may get, he is going to be right beside her the entire time. Wherever life
may take them, he is willing to work at it in order for it to be the two of
them, together, for the rest of their lives. The emotion in The Notebook proves that true love has
no limits, and also crafts the greatest love story ever.
As the movie begins to reach the end, the audience realizes
that the elderly man is Noah, and the elderly woman he is reading to is Allie. The
story from Noah’s notebook is the journey they went through as teenagers. Even
through all of the ups and downs, true love conquered all, and they ended up getting
married. Due to her Alzheimer’s Disease, Allie lives in a nursing home and has
for the last few years of her life. When Noah and Allie’s children come to
visit, Allie has no recollection of who they are. The children ask Noah why he
continues to read Allie the story if she can’t remember any of it, and Noah’s
response is “That’s my sweetheart in there. Wherever she is, that’s where my
home is,” (IMDb.com). This proves how much Allie means to Noah, despite her
inability to remember who he is. In the final scene of the movie, Noah and Allie
are lying beside each other before bed in the nursing home. Allie asks Noah and
number of questions, and he gives her a single response for all of them. “I
think our love can do anything we want it to,” (IMDb.com).
Even though some people may claim that The Notebook is a cliché love story, there are unexpected turns
throughout the film that keep the audience wondering what is going to happen.
Ultimately, The
Notebook is without a doubt the greatest love story ever created. Rachel
McAdams and Ryan Gosling do a flawless job of demonstrating what true love is
and proving that it is limitless. Nick Cassavettes does a great job of directing
The Notebook, a film that will forever
be known as the greatest love story ever created.
Romance film- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 12 February 2012
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romance_film>.
The Notebook (2004)-
Memorable quotes. 12 February 2012
<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332280/quotes>.
I thought you did a very good job with your review. I like how there were no parts that said "I believe or thought" and instead just states your opinion. You did great when giving a summary about the movie where if I was someone who did not see the movie then I would understand your reasons for liking it, but I also would not be disappointed for knowing the whole story ahead of time. I especially liked your definition of what a romance film was and not just what love or romance meant. To add, you incorporated quotes well and provided good analysis of how certain scenes from the movie were essential.
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