Directed by Nick Cassavetes
Starring Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Sam Shepard, Joan Allen
RATING
7/10
Dear love of mine,
There seems to be some odd confusion about my sexuality. Let me clear it right now for you, dear. I am a heterosexual male, yet I find exquisite beauty in films of the romance genre. Why does it compell me, you may ask? Well, perhaps it gives me hope, and makes me believe in something that could or could not exist in reality. Then again, that is what all genres are for. We have to believe the unbelievable, darling. It's a rare gift to experience it at least a few times in our lives, and though we may rise and fall in love like the intertwined characters of these films, we may never go down the same path or fill their shoes. Yet, I implore you to reconsider, there is much we can learn and much heartache we have to face before we understand the purpose of our love, and only then, perhaps fifty years in the distant future, may we die together in each others arms. So here's my gift to you... "The Notebook".
This auspicious film begins with a poor and very passionate young soul named Noah who goes about his days as a peasant, putting in effort to construct his perfect future and be seen in his fathers eyes as more than just a worker; a self-sustained and strong individual. And, dear, I would not be reciting this review unless it involved a twisted romance, and we have that with a very wealthy girl named Allie, whose chance encounter with Noah ignites a burning sensation within their hearts and a tale of family feud, lost values, and forbidden romance is born.
My love, in stating that "The Notebook" is one of the best romantic films of the last decade, I would be correct in assuming so. Perhaps it stacks up against other romantic films far more classier or elegant than this, say "(500) Days of Summer" or "Love Actually". Yet, this was brewed at a time when author Nicolas Sparks wasn't a walking parody of himself. Much more innocent times indeed, and in those innocent times did we happen to find this little piece. Now, don't get me wrong, I will always consider you my one and true love, for no amount of romantic movies can match the first time our eyes met, but I did find another love within the great direction of this film. Nick Cassavetes does marvelous work, and I applaud his style. It is quite unique and keeps you engaged thoroughly. And in Rachel McAdams did I find a calm performance, though it never quite reaches the devotion of the male lead, Mr. Ryan Gosling. Ah, before the days when man-crushes were handed out like pamphlets with every viewing of "Drive", Gosling was a rising star in his own way. He accepted films that challenged us, and now, he has given us a romance to remember him for (yes, "Blue Valentine" was good, but darling, this was the role he will forever be remembered for in the eyes of those who were love-struck by "The Notebook"). Many would consider the structure of this film to be quite remarkably cliched, but keep in mind, this was the first to spark Sparks' infamous line of romance films, and to an extent, it really works and manages to satisfy even the most hardened film fanatics.
However, the film does indeed faulter on a few occasions, dear. And while its structure was complimented in the previous comment, perhaps it would also be correct to say that it brings the film down a few notches. It does become predictable, and at times feels all too familiar. Well, that's because this thieving author Nicolas Sparks rehashed and repeated the same formula for this film countless times in his novels to the point where it becomes routine and predictable. And yes, I know I am being unfair with its judgment given the time it was released, but I blame the author and Hollywood for devouring our conscious taste for new romance films and spitting out the same ball of dung responsible for degrading past works. As a standalone film, "The Notebook" is acceptedly very good, but alas, Hollywood has managed to tarnish its legacy repeatedly.
Now, my love, as I approach my final dying words, I leave you with this last and concluding message: "The Notebook" is worth watching, and it does not matter of race nor age, there is much to be admired and much to be desired too. While a set of future events have threatened this otherwise solid films structure to predictability, it still holds as a piece of cinematic work worthy of the attention of any lover, even if it meant falling in love with a brick. It shall resonate a deep desire within you to experience love once again... the right way.
Sincerely,
A hopeless romantic
No comments:
Post a Comment