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From Amazon.co.uk
When you consider that old-fashioned tearjerkers are an endangered species in Hollywood, a movie like The Notebook can be embraced without apology. Yes, it's syrupy sweet and clogged with clichés, and one can only marvel at the irony of Nick Cassavetes directing a weeper that his late father John--whose own films were devoid of saccharine sentiment--would have sneered at. Still, this touchingly impassioned and great-looking adaptation of the popular Nicholas Sparks novel has much to recommend, including appealing young costars (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) and appealing old costars (James Garner and Gena Rowlands, the director's mother) playing the same loving couple in (respectively) early 1940s and present-day North Carolina. He was poor, she was rich, and you can guess the rest; decades later, he's unabashedly devoted, and she's drifting into the memory-loss of senile dementia. How their love endured is the story preserved in the titular notebook that he reads to her in their twilight years. The movie's open to ridicule, but as a delicate tearjerker it works just fine. Message in a Bottle and A Walk to Remember were also based on Sparks novels, suggesting a triple-feature that hopeless romantics will cherish. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Sweeping romance directed by Nick Cassavetes, set in a small coastal town in the American South - partly in the 1940s, and partly in the present day. In the present day scenes, an elderly man (James Garner) reads from a faded notebook to an old woman (Gena Rowlands) whom he regularly visits at her nursing home. As he reads, a passionate love story unfolds about a young couple - Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton (played in flashback scenes by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) - whose fledgling love affair was abruptly ended by circumstances and the sudden outbreak of World War 2. But although fate drives the young couple apart, they continue to be haunted by memories of their affair, and when Noah returns from the war seven years later, he realises that he cannot forget the promises they made to one other - despite the fact that Allie is engaged to be married to another man.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 49 people found the following review helpful
By "pandora78"
Format:DVD
A friend of mine recommended this movie a couple of weeks ago. The cover of the DVD said that it was a story similar to that one in Titanic. I was up for a good tearjecker so I rented it. And what a delightful surprise I got!
The first thing I can say is that the only similarity with Titanic is the fact that Allie and Noah are separated by class difference and therefore face her family's opposition to their love. Apart from that, we are before a very real story, with real characters without Titanic's predictability. It's not a Hollywood blockbuster and that is part of its charm. The plot really captures you and does not let you go until the very final scene, one of the most beautiful endings I remember in recent years.
All the actors are in superb form, especially Ryan Gosling (of whom I've been a fan since Murder by Numbers). They keep it real and make you bond with every single one of the characters at some particular stage. In the end, one really feels for Allie, who must decide between her two loves, both of them very likeable, unlike the duel between Leo di Caprio and Billy Zane in Cameron's movie. Titanic got the Oscar glory, The Notebook gets my praise.
The first thing I can say is that the only similarity with Titanic is the fact that Allie and Noah are separated by class difference and therefore face her family's opposition to their love. Apart from that, we are before a very real story, with real characters without Titanic's predictability. It's not a Hollywood blockbuster and that is part of its charm. The plot really captures you and does not let you go until the very final scene, one of the most beautiful endings I remember in recent years.
All the actors are in superb form, especially Ryan Gosling (of whom I've been a fan since Murder by Numbers). They keep it real and make you bond with every single one of the characters at some particular stage. In the end, one really feels for Allie, who must decide between her two loves, both of them very likeable, unlike the duel between Leo di Caprio and Billy Zane in Cameron's movie. Titanic got the Oscar glory, The Notebook gets my praise.
295 of 302 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I bought this DVD not because I am a die hard romantic and love slushy sentimentality, but simply because it was selling cheap in a local supermarket. I usually love watching action films and thrillers, so as you can imagine romance is not big on my 'must see films' list. After a rubbish Saturday night TV I decided to pop 'The Notebook' on thinking it would be a pleasant way to pass a couple of hours before bed, not imagining that this film would affect me so deeply. I was hooked right from the start. The sets and the costumes are fabulous, and the main characters are played amazingly by Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling. There was so much chemistry between them and they played the process of falling in love perfectly. I suppose the film is a little predictable but I think in quite a subtle way. After all, if it were that predictable they could have re-met when she was working as a nurse but they meet again simply because she goes looking for him. I did think that the ending was quite a stretch of the imagination, but I can't think of any other way that it could have ended that would have satisfied the audience. Right then, now for the crying! I felt quite emotional thoughout the film, but the last 15 minutes or so really got to me. I sometimes get a lump in my throat or slight tears in my eyes when I watch something sad, but I was actually sobbing out loud during the last scenes of this film. I am so glad I was alone in the house during this film!!! To sum up, Rachel McAdams is amazing as Ali, and Ryan Gosling is not only incredibly gorgeous but he also makes you long for a man like him. Go buy this film now because it is absolutely amazing.
63 of 64 people found the following review helpful
By J. Merrikin
Format:DVD
A friend lent me this DVD and I loved it so much that i ordered both the book and the DVD from amazon that very day.
This fantastic, touching love story has a twist that left me in tears more than once. The whole cast is so convincing and Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams compliment eachother as actors in the very best way. This is definitely in a different league to any other rom-com i have seen before.
A tender love between two young people, torn apart by people who just do not appreciate these feelings entwines into a deep and life-long love in which Allie and Noah embark upon.
You will not regret seeing this film, it is definite must. My new favourite film.
This fantastic, touching love story has a twist that left me in tears more than once. The whole cast is so convincing and Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams compliment eachother as actors in the very best way. This is definitely in a different league to any other rom-com i have seen before.
A tender love between two young people, torn apart by people who just do not appreciate these feelings entwines into a deep and life-long love in which Allie and Noah embark upon.
You will not regret seeing this film, it is definite must. My new favourite film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect DVD
Delighted with this DVD, thankyou. Excellent, brand new, sealed copy. Very speedy delivery and a very reasonable price. Read more
Published 19 hours ago by dawny
5.0 out of 5 stars
smushy
Love a good old smushy film, now I need to read the book and see if its better than the film, best enjoyed with a good bottle of red.
Published 1 day ago by Mrs. A. Andrews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Meh
I read the novel to this film and it really was not that great. The film however was a big improvement but when I watch it I don't feel as though it needs as much hype, as it... Read more
Published 2 days ago by Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect for when you're in the mood to cry!
Such a girly film, perfect to watch whatever mood you're in, but you will be in floods of tears by the end!
Published 2 days ago by aweSam
5.0 out of 5 stars
FABULOUS
THANK YOU FOR MY AMAZING DVD, I LOVE IT ONE OF THE BEST FILMS EVER. WOULD RECOMMEND BUYING THIS DVD
Published 2 days ago by JENNIFER McCANN
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely!
I ended up watching this film on my birthday by coincedence. I had no idea what the film was about, although I knew it had been rated as one of the all time best 'chick-flicks'. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Bookworm29
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful...
I am not one for romances or chick-flicks. This film was reluctantly watched..... by the time the credits rolled I had laughed and cried numerous times. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Kerry Wilkinson
1.0 out of 5 stars
Awful film and the DVD kept jumping
I though this film was appalling - over serious and soppy. The DVD also kept jumping and didn't play properly. I was not impressed.
Published 5 days ago by Julie Kenwright
5.0 out of 5 stars
tissues
Get your tissues out ladies, a real tear jerker. A great story, i loved it and will watch it again.
Published 8 days ago by joanne
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Notebook
Very good DVD and poignant - a real good story and shows how ilness can affect people. Would really recommend
Published 10 days ago by winter123
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