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Film Review
The Notebook
Distributor Roadshow (2004)
Starring: James Garner, Gena Rowlands,
Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Review by Jenni van Wageningen
This is the story of the romance and love between Allie, a young woman
from a monied family, and Noah who is a mill worker and very much from
the other side of the tracks. It is a classic case of ‘opposites
attract’, for they face huge differences in wealth, education and social
status - at a time and in a society (Carolina in the 1940s) which does
not approve of mixing and matching.
Yet this is not just a steamy holiday romance. Allie and Noah share
their deeper selves with each, their real dreams and longings. It is
clear they are soul mates and meant for each other.
Needless to say, Allie’s parents strongly disapprove and actively
discourage the relationship. Allie is packed off to college, World War
II intervenes and 7 years pass by before they meet again just before
Allie is about to marry another man.
There is also a story within a story, a parallel plot involving two
elderly residents of a nursing home. Duke is reading a story of the love
of two young people to a woman suffering from Alzheimers.
There are no prizes for guessing how these two stories are connected.
Allie has written the story of her love for Noah in a notebook so he
could read it to her and ‘bring her back to him’.
Duke (or Noah) believes that love can work miracles and perseveres with
reading the story in the face of disappointments and setbacks. Yet
eventually there is a breakthrough, and Allie and Noah once more share
the experience of their great love for each other
The movie is based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks who is a Christian. Two
of his of his other books have been made into films – ‘A walk to
remember’ and ‘Message in a bottle’.
Sparks has stated that ‘The notebook’ is a ‘metaphor for God’s love for
us all. The theme is everlasting, unconditional love. It also goes into
the sanctity of marriage and the beauty you can find in a loving
relationship.’ Sparks was inspired by a visit to his wife’s elderly
grandparents.
The notebook will no doubt generate many different reactions.
Mere romance is of course a rather worldly concept, with the heart
taking over from the head. At first this does appear to be the case.
What could so easily remain no more than a sentimental and manipulative
hanky wringer is a surprisingly emotionally rich story and a celebration
of a mature and lasting love. It is also moving tribute to loyalty and
commitment in the face of loss and grief.
Allie had sacrificed a life of comfort and predictable luxury by
committing to Noah who now responds with his own self-sacrificial
devotion in her time of need. Such concepts and portrayals are rare in
movies today where love is so often shown as shallow and fleeting - as
it so often is in the real world.
We are also reminded that all human life has value, also the elderly and
infirm. This is reflected in the relationship between the two elderly
people as well as the obvious love and respect shown by their children
and the staff of the nursing home.
I was a little disappointed that the lofty ideals of the movie are not
paired with a commitment to chastity, with the result that the viewer
has to endure some low-key pre-marital sex scenes. However, the author
has stated that he does not want to ‘mislead anyone who thinks these
characters are without flaw… these are human characters…. Nobody is
perfect.’
The acting in this movie is quite superb, especially James Garner in the
role of the elderly Duke. Garner himself is proud to have been married
to the same wife for 48 years.
And finally, the cinematography is quite stunning. This is a beautiful
movie in every sense of the word.
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