powerful, impossible to resist. -spoiler alert

Rating: 10/10 (19 February 2007)

this movie...will leave you with a deep-nesting feeling of comfort, appreciation, sadness and a general sense disappointment- not at the film- but at realisation that you did not live through that time, where romanticism was alive and blossoming, where the obstacles to love had such elevated significance and the overcoming of these obstacles brought such a vertiguous (made up a word) and poignant climax.
I challenge anyone to view this movie and not be deeply moved. you WILL fall in love with the characters, rachel mcadams performance will straight out flatten you, especially if you are male; as i'm sure gosling does for females.
A facet of this movie that gives it the base of integrity that allows us to enjoy the story and characters, is its avoidance of romantic clichés. We often see the run-of-the-mill cliché of girl falls for guy but has an overpowering, sleazy, cheating fiancé/boyfriend/husband who eventually has to pay his dues, leaving the romantic climax where the "good guy" gets the girl. the notebook differs- allies husband is a genuinely good guy, he does nothing wrong and treats her well, the realism of the ending of this film, and avoidance of cliché; i feel makes it more special.
The film is stacked with memorable and tear-jerking scenes. without spoiling too much, a certain scene involving a whalf is without a doubt the most powerful and emotion-packed scene i have ever witnessed.
i think the key element tipping this film over the good barrier to the amazing section of movie categorizing is the chemistry between the two main characters. Ryan gosling and Rachel Mcadams simply relate, and work off each other, viewers believe their feelings are authentic.
This is a rare film. its the kind of film you hope you will experience, and from this film on you will judge every romantic film against it, so it may be wise for Hollywood to give up and not attempt any more. 10 out of 10.