Probably the best American film of 2004 so far. McAdams and Gosling are breakthrough promises.

Rating: 8/10 (9 August 2004)

The Notebook. ***1/2

I got lucky to get a sneak-peek of this one. The film is just stunning. At some times, touching and deeply moving, other times fun and sensual,"The Notebook" has something that made Hollywood great Romances classics during the 30's and the 40's: strong leads and a fine chemistry between them.
McAdams and Gosling are superb. Their performances are so true, living and real that you actually believe they did have a crush on each other at the set! Keep watching for these guys, they are going to be huge stars.
The screenplay is great: fancy, well-constructed, solid, it captures the spirit of the book. Unfortunately, Cassavettes' clumsy and choppy directing skills keep the film from reaching Greatness Heights. You can feel the guy is on a rush. Geez, the film could have been 15 minutes longer!
Still, a very fine film. McAdams' and Gosling's master work makes the ride worth it.
8/10.