Great book, "so-so" film

Rating: 7/10 (28 December 2007)

As a fan of Nicholas Sparks's romantic novels and being "The Notebook" one of my favorites, I had to see this movie. Now here comes the time to share my feelings about it. In my opinion, this is a reasonable, emotional and romantic movie, but the book is slightly superior. Without getting into the differences between the book and the movie, at least I've got to tell that I personally find the book deeper, more sentimental, more intense, more beautiful, more emotional and certainly more romantic.
The book is one of the deepest and most beautiful love stories of all time and touched me like few romances did. Apart "The Notebook", only "Message in a Bottle" had the same impact on me - another one of the best books by Nicholas Sparks.
Back to the movie "The Notebook", it isn't bad but it's inevitable to compare it with the book. Anyone who saw the movie and is familiar with the book, knows that the book is more complete (the same happens with "Message in a Bottle"). As a movie, "The Notebook" seems somehow like a forced adaptation in many parts.
About the actors, both Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are good in the roles of Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton, but I'm not sure if they are the best choice for these roles. I don't know who would I cast for Noah, but for Allie I'm sure that Jennifer Love Hewitt or Sarah Michelle Gellar would make a perfect Allie (any of them).
In my opinion, the best thing about this movie is probably its beautiful landscapes and backgrounds, especially that enormous lake/swamp where Noah and Allie are crossing by boat and the lake scene with ducks flying at the beginning (by the sunrise or sunset time).