The Notebook (2004)
Behind every great love is a great story.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, Gena Rowlands, James Garner, Joan Allen, James Marsden, Heather Wahlquist, David Thornton, Jamie Brown, Kevin Connolly, Nancy De Mayo, Sylvia Jefferies, Eve Kagan, Lindy Newton, Sam Shepard, Meredith Zealy
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Running Time: 122 minutes
US MPAA rating: PG-13UK BBFC rating: 12a
Drama, Romance
'The Notebook' is, without a shadow of a doubt, mushier than a mushed-up bowl of mushy peas that's just been mushed in an industrial-strength mushifier. At no other time in my life can I recall seeing any movie where the film-makers make it so unashamedly obvious that their one and only aim is to make everyone in the audience cry.
Credit where it's due, it certainly made the two women sitting along from me sob their little girlie hearts out. In fact, it even reached the point where I was considering putting ol' Mr Pointy Finger to my lips and treating them to one of my emergency-use-only cinema shooshes. But, I'm afraid, the only emotion such overly-syrupy slush leaves this reviewer overcome with is outright nausea. While those two dames along the row were reaching for the hankies, I was going for the sick bag.
Perhaps I'm being too cynical though. After all, I'm not exactly in the target audience for this kind of crap. Just look at what it's about - a young lovestruck couple in the 1940s (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams), their disapproving parents, the predictable enforced separation, the forlorn attempts at happiness with others, and of course the textbook reunion. It took writer Nicholas Sparks an entire novel to get this story out originally but - let's face it - you or I could write it down on the back of a postage stamp and everyone would still get the gist. In short, it's formulaic nonsense.
The gimmick with this one is that the whole thing's being narrated by an old codger (James Garner) to his missus (Gena Rowlands) in a nursing home. She's suffering from Alzheimers, and he tries to coax memories of their youth out of her by reading the story aloud from an old notebook (hence the title). So you could say you're getting two batches of lovey-doveyness for the price of one.
Easily the best thing about 'The Notebook' is the believable chemistry between impressive leads Gosling and McAdams. McAdams, in particular, has proven herself to have genuine versatility over these past couple of years, and now she's got this on release at exactly the same time as her comic turn in the preferable Mean Girls. But make sure you've got a nose-clip at the ready for Garner's scenes, because his performance literally stinks. When even croaking your way through a couple of passages from a book starts to look like a chore, it's surely time to quietly collect your bus pass and retire.
It's Got: Hundreds of geese.
It Needs: More bread crumbs!!
Alternatives: A Walk to Remember, Message in a Bottle
Summary: Goes straight past the heart-strings and hits you square on the upchuck reflex. It's a sweet tale, but just far too sickly.
Review by Gary Panton
External Links
Official Web Site
The Notebook at the IMDB
Comments57 Comments |
| I absolutely loved this movie. And I can't wait to read the book. True, it is a sappy lovey-dovey mushy love story, but it's an old-fashioned one that is very romanctic, and hence believable, because it is set in the 1940s. It is not at all like the mushy love movies of today, which are way too cliché and try to be too many things at once. I give this movie 5 out of 5. |
| Comment by:- Arooj | | 07 July 2004 | ip: logged |
| What kind of heartless man are you? This movie was brilliant. How can you possibly say that. If your not looking for a romance next time don't watch one and consider thinking that the comments you make can be quite insulting to others that thought this movie was great. Although you may think that the storyline was "nonsense" I thought you should know that N.Sparks based his book upon a true story, one in which i thought was phenomenal. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 28 July 2004 | ip: logged |
| I loved the movie. I normanlly don't cry during movies, but I did during this one. I give it 6 out of 5 stars. I can't wait until it comes out on video. |
| Comment by:- blondie | | 31 July 2004 | ip: logged |
| This movie was a discovery of what true love is. I agree that it was full of mush, however, usually a GOOD love story has a dose of mush. I wouldn't expect anything different. I loved the movie and was one of the ladies that sobbed until the end and sobbed my way home. It was a beautiful picture of a man and a woman loving eachother through every moment of their lives and dealing with a whole lot of crap. It made me wonder what I would do if I had a spouse with Alzheimers. It made me hope that I would find a love like that of Noah and Ali... a love that goes beyond what doctors and scientist believe possible. Their love was miraculous and beautiful. I will see this movie again and I read the book first. I am still trying to decide which one I like better. Read the book. And the next book, "The Wedding", is a great love story as well. Props for N. Sparks! Way to go! |
| Comment by:- Jami | | 03 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| Perhaps you didn't like this movie because it makes you look bad as a male and shows women of the world what TRUE love is. I sure do feel bad for your wife if you are married. This movie was great, mushy but great. Their romance is what every couple should strive for. It showed complete devotion and fulfillment of the one promise made by every married couple.......til death due us part! I would love to see "The Wedding" made into a movie also. By the way you may want to skip that one!!!!!! |
| Comment by:- Kelli | | 04 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| i LOVE this movie! I will be the first to buy it...I'm not usually one to cry at a movie, but man did I have to fight those tears back. This movie is a genuine love story that will touch your heart in all the right places :) |
| Comment by:- Alison | | 04 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| this was a fabulous movie. everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and me being a hopeless romantic thought it was incredible. Nicholas Sparks knows right where to hit. he is fabulous and all of his books are incredible. The Rescue is great. Check it out! |
| Comment by:- mal | | 04 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| I recently saw the movie, "The Notebook." I was deeply moved by the characters. The chemistry between young Noah and Allie was so convincing. I especially like the way the story was narrated by the older Noah, trying to bring back the memory of the love of his life. It was beautiful. The scenery was breath-taking! I think what makes this movie touch people so deeply is the fact that this could happen to anyone of us. This horrible disease is so real these days to so many. I feel for anyone having to watch a loved one suffer with such a tragedy. As for the review, I saw many people in the audience crying...including the men. After the movie ended, everyone was walking out of the theatre and couples were stopping to hug and kiss one another. Like I said, it was simply beautiful. |
| Comment by:- Traci | | 04 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| The movie, "The Notebook was incredible. My 23 year old and I sat through the movie trying to not to sob between tears. I hope for more of the same movie in the future. To find love under any condition is wonderful. The reviews do not reflect the true emotions this movie brings out. |
| Comment by:- Mary | | 04 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| I am a woman and I have to say I agree with the writer of this review (except for the only good comment he made on the lead actress, I didn't like her). I went to the movie expecting to cry like a baby, because even my friend's boyfriend did. But alas, no tears streamed from my eyes. I laughed heartily, though, at the ridiculousness of the entire movie. The acting was pretty bad, the dialogue worse, and I didn't really like any of the characters. How anyone could love this movie is beyond me. |
| Comment by:- Kate | | 06 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| Saw "The Notebook" this afternoon with my husband - on our 38th wedding anniversary. We were both moved to tears and enjoyed the story immensely. For those who were 'sickened' by it, then you have obviously missed out on true love and can't relate. For those who laughed heartily at the 'ridiculousness' of it, then you obviously have no heart - or at least a very hardened one. For those who have experienced love like that shown in the story, then I join you in tears and an overflowing heart - and a lump in my throat knowing that our future could well be the same as Noah and Allie's. May love continue no matter what the future holds. |
| Comment by:- Marianne | | 06 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| This is by far the best movie I have ever seen, I loved it!!!...and so did all of my friends, we cried our eyes out throughout the WHOLE MOVIE!!!!....Just he words that Noah used were so unbeleivable moving, I just wanted to jump into the screen and take Alli's place...hahaha....Definately one of the MUST SEE movies of the summer, in face of all time!!!!! LOVED IT!!!! |
| Comment by:- Michelle | | 11 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| Does Ryan Gosling show any skin in this movie? He is hot and has a damn nice body. I'd only see this movie if they show a good amount of him... :) |
| Comment by:- Erin | no | 13 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| i went to the movies and i got to watch it... and i just loved it... its a nice romantic movie and i cried a lot... im not the guy to cry at this kinda of movie but i did at this one... maybe because im in love... and they show how love is.. just beautiful. |
| Comment by:- jose | | 20 August 2004 | ip: logged |
Many of those who've read it would undoubtedly agree that Nicholas Sparks's 1996 bestseller "The Notebook" could be deservingly called one of the most touching and beautiful romantic stories they've ever stumbled upon, a story filled with beauty, poetry, art, dreams, purity and strength of spirit. The 2004 movie on the other hand, is an entirely different story. Not venturing out too many details it can only be said that this must be the lousiest attempt at delivering an originally charming idea. The plot stands only in a very scarce correlation with the actual one and the relatively shallow main characters could not be more remote from the ones depicted in Sparks's story. Aside from a few beautiful sceneries the tone and spirit of this film are simply disgraceful to those of us who are better familiar with the story from an entirely different angle. In short, this cheap semi-comedy could not have less in common with the touching book on which it was based and it is a true disgrace for it to be called by the same name. It could never even stand in the same league with the beautiful cinematographic version of another excellent book of Sparks's - "Message in a bottle". One small piece of advice for everyone and especially those of you who have read the book - DON'T waste you time, money and nerves. |
| Comment by:- snej | | 21 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| This was the best romance movie EVER! I thought that "A walk to remeber" was moving but this one brought tears to my eyes, even after I read the book. My boyfriend didn't want to see a sappy love movie and he didn't go to see it with me. But after I told him about it, he wish he had. This movie related to the book in almost every way which is something done very rarely. I can't wait till it comes out on video/dvd. Nicholas Sparks is truly an amazing, breath taking and a complete romantic. I have read almost all of his books and each one is better than the last. This movie will be the ultimate christmas present to all my friends. Nicholas, keep on writing! |
| Comment by:- Robin | | 02 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| Wow...this movie was the greatest movie I would have to say I have seen in my life! This movie was so insporational and anyone who thinks its not a awesome movie and was not touched by it you have never felt this way about anyone and you obvesly have no heart! This movie I would give this movie a 10 out of 10 stars this movie has made me so happy and thank you for making me the reader and watcher happy! NICE JOB! |
| Comment by:- *Alyssa* | www.movie-gazette.com/cinerevi... | 14 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| This was an amazing movie which allows anyone who has had a true and deep love relate to each of the characters. Keep up the good work! |
| Comment by:- Toni | | 17 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| I have never before seen a movie that has touched me as much as this one. I'm a film studies student and have been exploring all kinds of film that I'm not normally used to. I've been steared away from the Hollywood blockbuters that have lacking storylines and just want to make money with superstars and special effects. I was blown away how innocent and beautifully this movie was filmed. It's a true love story with fantastic actors. Ryan Gossling and Rachel McAdams did a fantastic job. I saw it twice in the theater and will definitley be picking this up the first day it's for sale in stores. I'm so glad to read that so many others think the same as I do about this film. |
| Comment by:- Christy | | 17 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| i thought this movie was great but i want to know when i can buy it |
| Comment by:- asha | | 10 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I loved this movie!! I have never cried in a movie theater but after this one the whole theater was crying...would recommend it to anyone! |
| Comment by:- blondie11 | | 10 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I saw the movie the other week and it was the most godawful piece of crap I've ever seen. Unromantic, because the characters were so one-dimensional that you didn't care what happened to them. Contrived and ridiculous, both in plot and in the dialogue. And so predictable. I couldn't believe everyone cried in the theatre. Also, as someone who works with the elderly, I found the portrayal of the older characters unrealistic, emotionally manipulative and actually kind of insulting. |
| Comment by:- Jayne | | 12 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| This movie was ubelievable, it is now one of my favorites. The type of love and affection that is displayed between the two is amazing and I think it is a kind of love everyone should strive for. Kudos for them for finding true happiness:-) |
| Comment by:- Kristen | | 19 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| How much screentime does James Marsden get? I will see it if he has alot. He is so hott!! |
| Comment by:- Serenity Wintirs | groups.msn.com/TheLunaFoundati... | 19 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| i loved that efin movie. oh and ryan gosling is ****en hottt |
| Comment by:- ryan gosling is hottt | | 19 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I totally loved this movie!!! Ryan Gostling is a f***en babe... this is the best movie i've ever seen in my life... |
| Comment by:- Alexandra Damceska | thenotebook.com | 21 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I believe as a man you should be ashamed of yourself. I think the only reason you hated the movie is because you are jealous of the love that Noah and Allie shared throughout there life and you cannot find a love like that. I thouht that the movie was absolutely fantastic and would go see it again and again and recommend it to all of my friends. |
| Comment by:- val | | 23 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I freakin love this movie!!! I couldn't hold back my tears when I watched it. It's definately the best romantic movie for the year and for all we know, for a few years! It's been a long time since someone has made a movie about something quite simple, the typical love story but with such great actors that made the movie so much different than other love stories. I'd watch it over and over again. I'm an obsessed fan! |
| Comment by:- kaz | | 30 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| This is a classic love story. A story of fate, love and destiny all in one. The actors did a fantastic job and recreating the characters and making them come alive. In addition, the scenery, music and costumes truly give light to the era. |
| Comment by:- Barb | | 01 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| This movie shows the true meaning of love...how powerful and long it can last and all you can overcome with that true emotion is unbelieveable,i saw this movie 3 times and yes i cried all 3 times..it was excellent and if you didnt like it thats your faulght you missed a good movie..and apprently you've never been in love |
| Comment by:- carm | | 06 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| i love ryan goslinggg!!!!!!!!!! |
| Comment by:- jessica | | 07 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Oh My God i loved this movie! i cried throughout and i laughed and it really hit home and it is true that indeed it is a very mushy story line but does that matter? it was cenimatic genius and i applaud the way the actors portrayed these two loveable characters. it gives the rest of us some hope that just because you say goodbye does not mean that that is the end of it. its never over. i loved this movie and i cant wait til it comes out on dvd so i can cry to it without having old people look at me funny! 5/5! and a big thumbs up! |
| Comment by:- Aims | | 08 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Three thumbs up I say!! Can't wait to buy it on DVD |
| Comment by:- Alexis | | 10 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| I fell in love with Ryan Gosling in this movie! He is so beautiful! |
| Comment by:- Neeley | | 10 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| oh my goodness, this moving was amazing! i saw it 3 times and ryan gosling is beautiful! rachel mcadams and ryan gosling were perfect for the parts they played, and they had the best chemisty on screen. i also love how rachel mcadams can play 2 totally different kind of roles. a couple of months before this movie came out she came out in "mean girls" where she played a snobby little teenage girl and in this she plays a sweet going into her 20s girl, extremely good job. it was such a well made movie and i love how its old-fashion and from the 1940's rather than an up-to-date love story, it had an amazing storyline and is one the best movies i've seen so far. can't wait til it comes out on DVD. I LOVED IT!! |
| Comment by:- Kristen | | 11 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| I loved this movie when does it come out????? Anyone know? It's been 5 months and I haven't heard anything about DVD or VHS release. |
| Comment by:- Becky | | 13 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| im not a bender but i loved it i evan got shooshed by the girl beside me becouse i was crying so loudly.all in all great entertainment but my girlfrend dumped me for freeking her out so you cant win them all but 10 out of ten anyway ! |
| Comment by:- wilzo | | 13 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| I loved this movie it was soooooo great!! I could watch it over and over!!! I can't wait until it comes out on Video/DVD!!! |
| Comment by:- June | logged | 16 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| I absolutely loved this movie soo much and me and my friends cried throughout the whole movie and on our way home! Do u know when it's going to be in video stores? |
| Comment by:- Mary-Alice | | 16 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| The book and movie were both great! The movie makes you want to fall in love with someone all over again! |
| Comment by:- Ashley | | 17 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| **** you. you don't know a good movie when you see one. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 20 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| when is this coming out!!!?!?!?!? |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 25 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| This movie has profoundly touched me in ways, no one can understand.I am living proof that this can happen in real life as these circumstances of finding and reconecting with my first love has happened after being apart from him for over 6 years.This is the beauty,soulfulness, and high spiritedness of finding one's true soulmate. |
| Comment by:- catherine | | 28 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| there are no words to describe this movie. it was just so good! |
| Comment by:- amy | | 02 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| I LOVED this movie. It was the best movie I have ever seen in my WHOLE LIFE!!!! By the way Ryan Gosling is FINE!! I give this movie 10 out of 5 |
| Comment by:- Becky H | | 17 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| The reviewer plainly needs to get laid. I am a manly-man and this movie made me cry like a baby. If this is too mushy for the so-called critic then perhaps he should move to a gulag in siberia where he can go have some "fun." ...asshat... |
| Comment by:- I hate self-inflated movie critics | | 25 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| i have just finishing watching the movie and i gotta say that it was one of the best love storys that i have seen in a long time .!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Comment by:- anita | | 28 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| How could you ever say that about this amazing movie. Yes i did cry, and yes it is mushy gushy, but is also inspirational and really bring out the true romance and affection that couples "in love" in more modern movies most certainly lack. This movie is worth every cent you pay to go see it. |
| Comment by:- anonymous | | 31 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| I loved the movie, it was th greatest movie I've e´ver seen. I cried so much in the end, it was so sad, but I loved it because it was so different and exciting!!! my comment over all is just SEEEEE IT |
| Comment by:- Charlotte | | 02 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| Reading this review of The Notebook reinforced my belief that movie reviewers should go get a real job. If I had based my decision to view this movie on this review, I would have never had the opportunity to experience one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. My wife and watched this movie together and we both though the acting was fabulous. The simultaneous feeling of joy, happiness and deep sadness was powerful (in the latter part of the film) Rachael McAdams was absolutely perfect for her role. So believable, such honest acting and oh so beautiful. The cinematography was beautiful, the sets genuine. It was a beautifully directed movie and it lovingly shows how a lifetime of deep love between a couple can not be destroyed even through the agony of watching your mate become stricken and destroyed with Alzheimers disease. What a wonderful story and movie. |
| Comment by:- Michael | | 10 February 2005 | ip: logged |
| One of the top romantic dramas in years, The Notebook is a great movie you won't want to miss! |
| Comment by:- gilletbd1977 | www.thedvdreport.com/dvd_revie... | 10 February 2005 | ip: logged |
| What are you? An emotionless blind guy? Actually that guy would have a better review for this wonderful movie! Yes this might be mushy but you could have at least cried your eyes out! Obviously, you either don't even have a girlfriend or you're just acting like a heartless guy so more members oppose and post comments! Because I know that nobody would say what you said about this movie! |
| Comment by:- iremy | | 19 April 2005 | ip: logged |
| People need not worry about our reviewer 'Gary Panton'. For you see he has done what almost every film reviewer does during their career, and that is a lame attempt to 'stand out' and try to garn some attention from this over-crowded world of movie critique. You take a film that almost 'everybody' loves and hit it with slanderous, exaggerated and down-right erroneous remarks, slamming it as hard as you can in order to create a bit of an uproar. Some say that any attention is good attention but I say that if you can’t make your way up the ladder the honourable way, then I’m afraid you just aren’t good enough. It would not surprise me if the reviewer hasn’t even seen the film at all because anyone that has would not be able to bring themselves to write such nonsense. This film is beautiful, a true work of art and emotional genius. If you are one of those people who think that the plot was shallow, the acting was weak and the filming was anything other than brilliant then I am afraid I have to tell you that you know absolutely nothing about film at all. I can do nothing but feel sorry for you. 'The Notebook' is a true masterpiece. It hits you on an emotional level that few if any films have ever done so before. The script is sensational, and to all you book dwellers it *does* do the novel justice. The scenery and artistic direction are simply magnificent and the performances on-screen are enthralling. This film shows you what it is like to truly be in love with someone. It shows you a love that few people in this world have ever experienced. A love so pure that it makes you hurt deep inside and smile at the same time. This film touches you through its shear beauty. It unfolds in such a heart-felt way that you are reduced to tears through its dialogue and expression alone, the acting really is that convincing. You will not cry tears of sadness, nor will you cry tears of joy. You will cry from your heart. I encourage you to see this film if you have not done so already. I am male and am not afraid to hold this film in my collection of personal favourites, it is simply beautiful. |
| Comment by:- tr1p1ea | | 27 August 2005 | ip: logged |
| "tr 1p 1 ea", are you really so arrogant that you cannot just accept it may be the reviewer's honest opinion? Is really that difficult to believe that - shock, horror - not everybody in the world has the same opinions as you? Do you go through life thinking that everybody who dares take a contrary position to yourself on any matter must be lying in order "stand out", because nobody could POSSIBLY genuinely disagree with you? If it was up to me, people like you would be dipped in raw sewage and forcibly strapped to Jim Davidson. |
| Comment by:- Hamble | | 02 October 2005 | ip: logged |
| "Hamble", I find no reference in my post which would lead anyone to believe that I am unable to accept that 'not everybody in the world has the same opinions' as myself. I am assuming that you pulled that out of your arse along with the rest of your measly excuse for a reply. To answer your question simply, 'No'. You really must be upsettingly naive if you believe such a thing. For the record my stance on this film and the truth has one major thing in common. That is, they are both equal to one-another. This film is a work of emotional genius and deserves the proper commendation, that ‘is' a cold hard fact. Granted it does take a certain amount of brain power to see this, I can only assume that our reviewer 'Gary Panton' lacks said requirements. So why don’t you take your raw sewage, your Jim Davidson and whatever else it is you like to think about in your spare time and shove it. I honestly couldn’t care less about you, what you say and I especially couldn’t care less about what you think. |
| Comment by:- tr1p1ea | | 03 October 2005 | ip: logged |
| This was the most beautiful and touching movie I've ever seen. I've never sobbed so much in a movie in my entire life. I just absolutely loved it, and I really don't know how anyone could actually say they didn't like it. I mean, what's not too like? It was just so amazing, from beginning to end. Best movie ever! |
| Comment by:- carly | | 07 October 2005 | ip: logged |
| The story wasn't that swell but the love was for real... i think. MayBe should see the movie once more to see the great story. Anybody so kind to join me. |
| Comment by:- antonio | | 17 October 2005 | ip: logged |
