The Notebook [DVD]

I don't remember what made me buy The Notebook on DVD in the first place. When it arrived from Amazon it sat in its cellophane for some time, before eventually being taken along on a girly night in. The wrapping was finally opened... and wow, was it worth the wait! I haven't read the novel by Nicholas Sparks, but now I definitely will. Therefore, the story was a complete surprise to me. So imagine my confusion at the beginning of the film when, after seeing two bright young things on the DVD cover, I am confronted with elderly people in a home. It soon becomes clear, though. In the nursing home, the tale begins when a kindhearted man goes to read to another resident, who is suffering from senile dementia. The woman is quickly entranced by the tale, spurring the reader on, and the story unfolds... In the book, set in the early 1940s, a country boy catches sight of a girl and is immediately drawn to her. However, she is rich and he is poor, leading her to turn down his offer of a date on several occasions. Eventually, though, two of their mutual friends set them up and Allie realises that Noah is in fact a fine young man, despite his background. The two become close and fall deeply in love. They are inseparable and spend all the time together that they can, knowing in the back of their minds that the summer will soon be over and they'll have to make some tough decisions. Presently, though, Allie's parents intervene. On discovering their daughter is not in her bed at 2am, a full-scale search is launched, leading them ultimately to a deserted house in which Allie and Noah are on the brink of making love for the first time. However, it is not to be and the two rush back to Allie's parents' summer home - to be faced with two very angry parents now determined to force them apart. They succeed and take Allie away - leaving the pair broken-hearted. Noah, still desperately in love, writes to Allie every day for a year, determined not to lose her. However, her mother hides the letters and Allie is devastated to think that the man she thought was her true love has forgotten her so easily. On the arrival of World War II, Noah heads abroad to serve his country. In the meantime, Allie becomes a nurse, looking after sick and injured soldiers, knowing that in a way she is helping Noah by aiding his fellow fighters. The tale takes a twist when Allie falls for another man after helping him in the hospital. Lon (played by James Marsden) pursues Allie, easily winning over her parents, then pops the question. Noah's face fleetingly passes through Allie's mind as she accepts. On returning from the war, Noah discovers that his father has sold his house to help his only son fund his lifelong dream - to restore the beautiful mansion he promised Allie he would one day own. He rebuilds and decorates the house to her specification, securing a photograph and an article in the newspaper, which by a strange coincidence ends up next to Allie's wedding announcement. After seeing her wedding announcement, Allie flips open the paper to see Noah's facing peering out. Instantly, she is thrown into turmoil, particularly as she sees that he has fulfilled his dream of owning and fixing up the mansion. She decides to pay him one last visit before her wedding. Noah is delighted to see Allie, although he's unsure of her motives. Awkward at first, the two soon become accustomed to one another's company again and after being caught in a freak rainstorm, their passion is reignited. Allie is torn. She realises her feelings for Noah never went away, but she's now promised to become the wife of another man. What will she do? Decades later in the nursing home, the story reaches its highly emotional conclusion. This is an absolutely beautiful story. The DVD cover claims that The Notebook is the most romantic film since Titanic. I wouldn't disagree. Girls, there won't be a dry eye in the house after watching this film. I loved it and can't wait to get my hands on the book.

I have heard so many people say things about how good this film is but never really say much about the content of the film because they centre on the last scene or two and reminisce about how emotional they got when they first saw it. As such, it has been one of those films that I have always said I will watch one day when I get the chance. So, when a chance came to watch it online, I jumped at the chance, to celebrate a promotion for my wife, knowing that she would like a romance film with a weepy ending or two. What I was not ready for was the clarity and perfection of this film. Yes, it is a love story, but with the time shifts, the first time you see it you are hoping throughout the story that a certain outcome will take place, that the love Noah has for Allie will find a way to succeed. It is beautifully shot, with fantastic panoramic vistas of the area shot, has wonderful actors [always been a fan of James Garner and Rachael McAdams] and the actress from the Bourne series, whose name eludes me as her mother trying to make it so her daughter does not go the same way she did in matters of love. Half way through, you are put out of your misery and you know that the Garner/Rowlands partnership is the Noah and Allie from the story, but the heartache as she drifts in and out of her dementia ridden state is heartbreaking to say the least. They get about five minutes as geriatrics to come back sharply into focus once again and love each other all over again before she fails to recognize her husband and he suffers the loss all over again. At the end, I cried my head off, and as a big rufty tufty fella, that takes a lot, so be prepared for a tissue or four to be used at the end. The scene where Garner and Rowlands are arm in arm and the camera pans up and away is just perfect. Watch and you will see. A truly remarkable film which I have just ordered on DVD direct from Amazon. It shows me just how much I love my wife, in exactly the same way as these two characters here. Films can never be perfect, but this comes close!

I absolutely Love this film!!! A great story of True Love!!! Despite all adversity True Love wins in the end. Fantastic old fashioned tearjerker. Had me crying at the end!!! Very similar plot to the Lucky One, so if you like that you'll love this!!! Behind every great love is a great story and this truly is a great story of Love!!! Adapted from Nicholas Sparks' best-selling novel, and directed by Nick Cassavetes (the son of legendary director John Cassavettes). A sweeping love story told by a man reading from his faded notebook (James Garner) to a woman in a nursing home (Gena Rowlands - real-life mother of Nick Cassavetes). 'The Notebook' follows the lives of two North Carolina teens from very different worlds (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams). Though her upbringing takes place in an antebellum mansion, and he grew up in the kind of house where musicians strum on the porch, that doesn't stop Noah and Allie from spending one incredible summer together, before they are separated, first by her parents and then by WWII. After the war is over, everything is different. Allie is engaged to a successful businessman, and Noah lives alone with his 200-year-old house that he lovingly restores. But, when Allie reads a newspaper article about Noah's handiwork. She knows that she's got to find him, and make a decision once and for all about the path her life - and her love.

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.

I had heard about this film from so many people before I finally gave in and watched it myself and I am glad I did. I really enjoyed this film and, while I can't say it is one of the best films I've ever seen, it certainly left a lasting impact. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I was pleasantly suprised to find that this wasn't just another slushy film- it is a tale of romance with a twist to it. I loved the plotline and although it was pretty obvious by halfway through what the twist was it still kept me entertained and enthralled. I really wanted to keep watching to find out how the rest of the story would unfold and was so glad with the ending. I actually felt connected to the characters and really wished I could be in the leading role (Rachel McAdams) and feel that kind of all consuming love for myself. It was an amazing film and great for when you're feeling a bit weepy and want something heartwarming to watch. I didn't cry myself but can see why this would be a tearjerker, it really is fantastic. For me what made it stand out was the final few scenes which I felt really summed up the plotline perfectly and provided a fitting end for the story. The acting was also subperb so I'd say this is definitely one you should watch.

I enjoy all kinds of movies, many genres, from different eras etc. My perfect night in when I want to shut myself away from the world and escape into someone's story is curling up with a glass of wine and a movie. I just have a love for films. This is my favourite film I can honestly say, and I watch and have watched a lot of films in my more than three decades of being here. I haven't read the book so I can't compare it to the film and I won't be reading it as having read other books by Nicholas Sparks that just didn't inspire my imagination I'm not inclined to. This film caught my heart from the second it started and I believed all the characters wholeheartedly. Ryan Gosling is spellbinding and James Garner truly heartbreaking. Not to take away from the female leads - both Rachel McAdams and Gena Rowlands are simply wonderful, however for me this story holds its essence through the eyes and expression of the male characters. I'm sure other reviews have told the premise of the story, so I will just say this - To me, this is the ultimate love story. Have tissues at the ready and be prepared for Noah to find a place in your heart and never leave. This film is, in a word, beautiful.

This film is perfect in every way. I have always wanted to watch a film where the ending was just as it should be- that the characters actually decide to stay together and lead a long and happy life together. in most of the films i have seen this doesn't happen and theres always a reason for me at the end to say "well it would have been perfect if that wouldn't have happened." it was exactly how i wanted it to end and even though people say it might have cliches that is exactly what i wanted from this film. i was sobbing on several occasions and fell instantly for ali and noah. it makes you wish your life could be that perfect.their chemistry was beautiful and i felt moved for days after watching this film. after watching the movie i instantly bought the dvd and the book the same day as i felt so entranced by this story. a truly amazing, beautiful, heart wrenching movie that i would recommend to anyone. My only regret is that the movie ended. i would have happily sat and watched it for the rest of my life.

I was very impressed with the book by Nicolas Sparks that I placed a review on Amazon last year. I realised that there was now a film adapted from the book, but I was very reluctant to watch it as in my experience the film is always a disappointment because there are always large chuncks taken away from the original story. Then I was told to watch this film as it was so beautiful. It was amazing and I was in tears as the film unfolded. There are some changes as I expected but the atmosphere and sincerety of the book is captured in this movie. I do recommend if you haven't read the book to do so, the book has a beautiful poetic feel and you will appreciate this film even more. And still make sure you have some tissues because I cried reading it.