The perfect movie for the perfect date
Movie review: The Notebook
Ashley Batchelor, Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/11/05 Section: Lifestyles
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You never forget your first love, whether it was completely amazing or a complete disaster. Either way, it always holds a special place in your heart.
"The Notebook" captures the essence of first love onscreen. The film originated as a bestselling book by Nicholas Sparks in 1996, which director Nick Cassavetes decided to base a move on.
"The Notebook" is about two young adults who fall head over heels in the summer of 1940. Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) is staying in the small town of Seabrook with her family for the summer. At the beginning of the summer, she meets Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling), a Seabrook local who works at the lumberyard for 40 cents an hour. For Noah, it's love at first sight, but Allie requires some convincing. The pair soon becomes inseparable, constantly pushing each other to be better, and this makes their relationship and love even stronger.
As the summer nears an end, Allie's parents (Joan Allen and David Thornton) discourage her from continuing to see Noah because he is not in her social class. Allie leaves at the end of the summer, and their relationship swiftly ends.
Many years later Allie meets another man who captures her heart. Lon Hammond (James Marsden), a kind man from a wealthy family, begins to court Allie. After their relationship begins to develop, Allie gets a surprise when Noah appears and reignites their romance.
As the film progresses, it flashes forward to Allie in a nursing home, played by Gena Rowlands. A caring man, Duke (James Garner), is reading a book to Allie. The book is the story of Allie's past and her relationships with Noah and Lon, but she doesn't realize it because she has Alzheimer's disease.
"The Notebook" alternates between the young and old characters throughout the film. The timing is perfect, and the viewer is never left wondering what is happening at that moment in the past or future.
"The Notebook" boasts an interesting musical selection as well. A majority of the music is an instrumental score composed by Aaron Zigman. One song that stands out is "I'll Be Seeing You," performed twice by Billie Holiday in 1940 and by Jimmy Durante in present day. Both versions fit the film and create a special moment between the characters in each scene.
"The Notebook" is a magical, captivating film. It's a good pick for a romantic date and almost sure to bring a couple closer -- they'll laugh, cry and discover that anything is possible through love.
"The Notebook" captures the essence of first love onscreen. The film originated as a bestselling book by Nicholas Sparks in 1996, which director Nick Cassavetes decided to base a move on.
"The Notebook" is about two young adults who fall head over heels in the summer of 1940. Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) is staying in the small town of Seabrook with her family for the summer. At the beginning of the summer, she meets Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling), a Seabrook local who works at the lumberyard for 40 cents an hour. For Noah, it's love at first sight, but Allie requires some convincing. The pair soon becomes inseparable, constantly pushing each other to be better, and this makes their relationship and love even stronger.
As the summer nears an end, Allie's parents (Joan Allen and David Thornton) discourage her from continuing to see Noah because he is not in her social class. Allie leaves at the end of the summer, and their relationship swiftly ends.
Many years later Allie meets another man who captures her heart. Lon Hammond (James Marsden), a kind man from a wealthy family, begins to court Allie. After their relationship begins to develop, Allie gets a surprise when Noah appears and reignites their romance.
As the film progresses, it flashes forward to Allie in a nursing home, played by Gena Rowlands. A caring man, Duke (James Garner), is reading a book to Allie. The book is the story of Allie's past and her relationships with Noah and Lon, but she doesn't realize it because she has Alzheimer's disease.
"The Notebook" alternates between the young and old characters throughout the film. The timing is perfect, and the viewer is never left wondering what is happening at that moment in the past or future.
"The Notebook" boasts an interesting musical selection as well. A majority of the music is an instrumental score composed by Aaron Zigman. One song that stands out is "I'll Be Seeing You," performed twice by Billie Holiday in 1940 and by Jimmy Durante in present day. Both versions fit the film and create a special moment between the characters in each scene.
"The Notebook" is a magical, captivating film. It's a good pick for a romantic date and almost sure to bring a couple closer -- they'll laugh, cry and discover that anything is possible through love.
