The cinematic romance that tests reality and fantasy

Rating: 8/10 (23 October 2011)

Maybe I'm just too cynical for the subject matter, but I didn't shed a tear during The Notebook. I watched what is said to be "one of the saddest films ever made" dry-eyed. And I'm an emotional person. I've cried probably to more films than you, the person reading this right now. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to get very emotional during a film. I think that shows a sign of good filmmaking.
I personally have a strict rule where if I cry during a film I must give it some sort of a positive review. That means the film actually made me feel for its fictitious characters and their story and struggle. Therefore it is a film not to be missed. Whether I cry tears of joy, happiness, sadness, calamity, or frustration, the film will get some sort of positive review.
And now I'm faced with The Notebook, apparently one of the saddest films in existence and I didn't get emotional once. Something must be wrong. The film stars young actors Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as two, and I use this term effectively, star-crossed lovers who meet in South Carolina during the summer.
Gosling is Noah, while McAdams is Allie. This is the forties so when a guy likes a girl he really likes a girl. Noah and Allie meet at a carnival, and soon enough, thinks sparkle and they become in young love. Noah is a local boy, while Allie derives from a rich family who is said to have "more money than God." They fight a lot, and sometimes can be extremely physically and emotional abusive. But what love is perfect? The story is told by an elderly man talking to an elderly woman in a nursing home. This is where the film's first major problem comes in - you can see the "twist" coming a mile away. I won't spoil it, but it seriously goes without saying. The elderly man is played by James Garner, who comes with a strange presence, and Gena Rowlands as the elderly woman.
The man continues to tell the story of the lovers, who eventually part ways and then reunite years later. The first half of the film is well-written, extremely well acted, and comes with enriching photography. Then the film just becomes a little cliché and somewhat unbelievable as it wraps up.
It doesn't state this blatantly, but The Notebook is a strong romantic-fantasy. Perhaps one of a teenage girl's imagination. Things happen in the film that stretch the line of reality very, very far. The chemistry is believable, but the story is only about half. I don't believe a girl I know would stick by a man so emotionally abusive to a woman. Not to mention in the world we live in today.
This cinematic romance is cute, but nonetheless predictable. I mentioned Allie comes from a rich family, and boy does she occupy every characteristic of it. From the controlling mother, to the "everything she wants but a man" personality, she truly is the carbon copy of a rich female. Noah, on the other hand, is your typical local boy with his mind on working and girls.
The Notebook is cute, yet I think more shallow then people see. I believe the idea of it, to a female, overshadows how far-fetched it truly is. It's every woman's dream - to find a man who is so willing to be with this woman he devotes half his life to doing things for and about her. The problem is something that is hard to explain. As a cinematic romance fantasy it works. As a realistic love story it doesn't.
Romances have come a long way. It's strange, but as a male I really do appreciate them. I think I like the "invisible guy gets the dream girl" type films more than the true cinematic romances. But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate these types of films. The Notebook is truly a good film, but many women should be aware this is about as far-fetched as a love story can be from the twist to the very end.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Gena Rowlands, Sam Shepard, James Marsden, and Joan Allen. Directed by: Nick Cassavetes.