Review of The Notebook (2004) by Kohl C — 18 May 2014

A Passionate Love in a Classical Way.

The Notebook, directed by Nick Cassavetes, is the story of a young couple who fall in love but face many challenges that work against their union. It is a tale of passionate love told in a classical way.

Except love, the power is portrayed in the movie. Anne Hamilton, the mother of Allie, married John Hamilton who is Allie's father. She leads Allie to see his ex-boyfriend who is working in the farm and do not have money, power and social position. She told Allie that she wants to elope with him when she was young but this action was omitted by the policeman. She does not feel regret because she loves John and he has power and money. She wants to let Allie know if she elopes with her ex-boyfriend successfully, she will have nothing. In her position, the power is more important than love because power can bring a stable life for her. Her behaviour let many couples to think power and love, which one be more important?

This type of love story is a classic because it is used in many different films and novels. Most romantic stories have a common plot where the protagonist finds love in someone but something happens which makes them unable to be together. Then the love-stricken character struggles to keep love aflame despite a lot of difficulties. In the end, the couple manages to stay together. When this formula for romance is used in a film, the audience can feel a little bored. However, the Notebook manages to maintain the hearts and minds of the viewer for the entire two and a half hours. This is because of the amazing and passionate on-screen chemistry of Allie played by Rachel McAdams.

Another element that sets this story apart from other classic love tales, is the way the director organizes the sequence of events. Flashbacks between the past and the present are weaved seamlessly throughout. In the film, an old man is reading a story to an old woman, which makes people feel the old man is the narrator who just tells the story and leads the plot development. The old woman gets senile dementia, which makes her to live in the old people's home. Noah is the protagonist in the story and Allie is the person who is loved by Noah. They have a lovely story.

The main actors Ryan Gosling and Rachael McAdams (young Noah and young Allie), coincidentally, were born in the same city of London, Ontario in Canada. Ryan's rugged good looks, and charming demeanor will make every woman swoon. Rachael McAdam's eyes like thousands of constellations bestrew the sky that spark the glamour and curly long hair are able to make a stamp in every man's heart. After the movie released, the on screen couple took their love across the movie into reality. During mid-2005 to mid-2007, Rachael Mcdams dated Ryan Gosling. In mid-2008, they briefly reunited. So people will find how satisfying of this movie that shows the love from young to old and from fiction to non-fiction.

The setting successful combines a quiet and boisterous atomosphere. Quiet illustrates the love in the peaceful environment. Boisterous shows the love still survived after the suffering. If you can imagine, the peaceful environment is that couples are paddling the boat on the lake, which draw a beautiful picture for the audience. Perfect combination will make audience feel the grateful of love. It is a warm and sweet picture for the audience. In here, two people are reuniting together although they leave with each other seven years. On the boat, two people are enjoying the love and reminding them past experiences, which they include happiness and sadness stories that they suffered.

Nick uses The Notebook reflects United States of America history during the 1940s. In that time, the World War II happened that lead many man joined the war. As we know, the capitalism was developed very fast in that time, which would cause the social division increased. The lower classes such as labour and farmer did not have enough money that cause them have onerous works but get lower paid. Nick reflects these situations successfully.

One thing that I really admired is the composure that the characters show when they must see their love in the arms of another. It is better to set your love free rather than enforce a love that does not belong to you. Unwilling love will never bring happiness.

Nick Cassavetes makes a successful love movie because it lets people recognize the power of love and its ability to shape our entire life.

All in all, The Notebook is an awesome movie. I highly recommend that everyone, couples, teenagers, seniors and singles to watch this movie because it will teach all to never give up on your true love, no matter what difficulties arise. Love can rise above arguments, conflicts, disease, social division and jealousy. Love is the best!