The Case for The Notebook

The Notebook is one movie I’m far more fond of than most critics. Audience frustration  is easy to understand with the narration approach to telling the story or the generic romance formula of forbidden love between a working-class guy and a rich girl. However, I believe the superb performances from leads Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams more than make up for these minor infractions. The chemistry between the two as summer-lovers, Noah and Allie, who never want their summer to end is absolutely electric. Maybe I’m a sap, but I couldn’t help but get attached to the relationship between the two, crushed when they were separated and equally thrilled when the pair reunited. The best part about this love story is the ups and downs of the relationship don’t feel forced for the purpose of drama in the film, instead they seem organic, ultimately assisting in the growth of the relationship as each realizes there is something missing in their life without the other. The movie also follows the couple in their final hours together as Noah cares for Allie while she struggles with Alzheimer’s, and the two pass away in each other’s arms. If the intent was to disguise the extreme cheesiness of the moment while the audience is too wrapped up in emotion it certainly worked on me. To anyone who reads this blog, I hope you take the time to watch the film, and it leaves you in tears of so many different emotions, because that way I won’t be the only one. I rate this Romance classic a solid 8.5/12.