Not a great film, but a good one

Rating: 8/10 (5 June 2004)

If you've been waiting for a well-told weepy romantic story, your prayers have been answered. As others have noted here, you will need to bring a large stack of Kleenex to this one. Which is not usually my type of film, but there is an abundance of talent on display in this one, both in front of and behind the camera, and that keeps it honest and enjoyable. Never manipulative, never cloying, it's a good old-fashioned time at the movies.
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are both wonderful in the lead roles. Him I knew, and he is again quite fabulous. Her I was not familiar with, but she is equally fabulous here. Together they are as winning a young couple as you're likely to find on the screen these days. And of course the old pros, Gena Rowlands and James Garner, hold up their end of the bargain in fine style. And the supporting roles, in what could have been horrible caricatures, are done beautifully by some very fine actors. Both the screenplay and the direction are restrained and first-rate.
Grab your tissues along with grandma and grandpa, and go see this one.