The Notebook (2004)

The Notebook takes the spectator away into the realm of drama and romance, where true feelings have to stand the test of time and circumstances. The film is plotted in such a way as to reflect the pages of a notebook belonging to Duke (James Garner). He reads life stories from the notebook to Allie (Gena Rowlands), an elderly nursing home resident, who has to be waging a tragic battle against Alzheimer's disease obliterating her memory. Although her perception of what Duke reads to her is fragmentary, she appreciates the story and he continues to read.

The plot is centered around a young man – Noah Calhoun, and a young lady – Allie Hamilton, who fall deeply in love with each other shortly after getting acquainted at a carnival. However, social difference gets in the way. Allie has grown up in an affluent family, and Noah lives in a poor district with his father. Allie's parents don't approve of their relationship, but Allie and Noah disregard that. The action takes place in the 1930s, and when World War II begins, Noah gets drafted and joins the action. He writes letters to his love anyway, but none of them reaches Allie, because her parents intercept all of the letters. The young lovers are separated for several years.

After a while, Allie meets a successful businessman and is about to marry him. One day she comes across a newspaper article about Noah and the historic home, which he is restoring, and which he had promised to her. She realizes that she cannot resist the desire to visit Noah, and she goes for it. Now she is faced with a hard choice…

Featuring gifted actors Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, the film fully delivers the tapestry of events and the intensity of emotions described in the novel. Indeed, few onscreen versions of novels can get the sincerity of feelings, the beauty of landscapes and the intensity of risks across on the screen the right way, and the Notebook qualifies to be one of the few.