Yay I've gone bronze and no tanning bed in sight!!
Thanks to everyone for your ratings and comments...
Yay I've gone bronze and no tanning bed in sight!!
Thanks to everyone for your ratings and comments.
I always try to return all ratings and if I promise an E and don't get back to you feel free to give me a poke.
Sue
Member since:30.05.2009
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THE NOTEBOOK
INTRODUCTION
'The Notebook' is based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. It is a romantic drama set in both the past and present. The film takes place mostly in the 1940's but it fast- forwards about 50 years as the two young lovers find themselves much older and attempting to cope with health problems that have caused the once effervescent young lady to lose most of the memory of her exciting past. The film is told as a story Noah Calhoun (played by James Garner) is reading to is his wife Allie (played by Gena Rowlands)
The story he is telling is that of their life together. Get the tissues out - it's a weepy.
THE STORY
We start the film as Noah reads to Allie, it then moves back to 1940 and a young Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) meet and slowly fall in love. Allison( Allie,) was the beautiful
daughter of John and Annie Hamilton (David Thornton, Joan Allen), who lived in a plantation-style mansion just outside of Seabrook Island.
Noah Calhoun (Gosling) met Allie at a carnival and asks her out on a date, his gutsy attitude and determination lead to a whirlwind summer romance.
Allie's mothers (Joan Allen) doesn't approve of Noah, his job in a lumber yard does not meet the standards for a husband for her daughter. She separates the couple by sending Allie off to college and hiding a years worth of letters from Noah.
While Noah is away at war Allie met and fell in love with a rich young man Lon (James Marsden)a man thinks is more fitting for her. Meanwhile after Noah's father dies, he refurbishers his home to make it suitable for the woman he loves, when Allie sees a photograph of Noah, standing by his home, in the newspaper she knows that she must go back and see him even though seven years had passed by.
The film goes back and forth between the old couple and the young couple. We are able to view the bond that holds this couple throughout the years.
WHAT DID I THINK
This film is a simple and sweet love story, one that tells of devotion . I thought that Garner and Rowlands played their parts wonderfully and I could empathize with all that they go through in the nursing home. The fact that I saw my uncle nurse my auntie through Alzheimer's made it all the more real for me. Allie having Alzheimer's and not being able to remember her husband except for brief moments of time is heartbreaking, but I feel that it was portrayed with dignity and clarity. leave.
The acting was wonderful, James Garner played with feeling and warmth. I believed and cared about his character. Gena Rowlands was quiet, reserved and dignified throughout the film, I thought that she played her part realistically These two wonderful actors brought great dignity to aged characters nearing death.
Ryan Gosling played the young Noah well, he used facial expressions a lot that worked well. I thought that Rachel McAdams (young Allie) played a fantastic part, she seemed to get the chemistry between herself and Gosling just right. Together these two young actors were very convincing as two youngsters madley in love.
I loved the setting of the 1940's; the landscapes were beautiful full of rich colours and the costumes and cars were fantastic. Together with the background music it was a very realistic viewof the time.
DVD
DVD details
Format: PAL, Widescreen Language English Subtitles: English Region: Region 2 Number of discs: 1 Classification: 15 Studio: Entertainment in Video DVD Release Date: 7 Feb 2005 Run Time: 123 minutes
The features of the DVD are
English Subtitles Spanish Subtitles Audio Commentary by Director Nick Cassavetes Audio Commentary by Novelist Nicholas Sparks Deleted Scenes (12) With Optional Editor Commentary Featurette: "All in the Family: Nick Cassavetes" (12 min.) Featurette: "Nicholas Sparks: A Simple Story, Well Told" (7 min.) Featurette: "Southern Exposure: Locating 'The Notebook'" (11 min.) Featurette: "Casting Rachel & Ryan" (4 min.) Rachel McAdams Screen Test (3 min. 35 sec.) Theatrical Trailer DVD-ROM Features
The deleted/alternate scenes on the DVD is about 30 minutes long and you can watch them either with or without the commentary of the film's editor - Alan Heim. This was actually very interesting.
I think that as this is the type of film you could watch over and over it is well worth buying on DVD, and it is available on Amazon for less than £2.00.
IN CONCLUSION
This is a love story like no others. I fell in love with this couple and was completely drawn in to their story. It is NOT a chick film, even my husband enjoyed this movie( and I suspect had a lump in his throat). If your looking for a lovely film that will make you laugh, cry and stay in your memory ... this is the one for you.
Summary: Five out of five stars for The Notebook
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Advantages: Great acting, makes you cry (c'mon it's good to cry), good weepy ending. Disadvantages: Clicheed and unrealistic - You feel like you've seen it all before.
Renza 17.01.2009 (17.01.2009)
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Review of The Notebook (DVD)