Charming "Chick Flick"

Rating: Null/10 (20 May 2004)

I guess the official release date of this film is still about a month away (June 25th?), but having had an opportunity of viewing an advanced screening of "The Notebook" last evening I felt compelled to share. Actually it's kind of cool to see a film a month before its release. Kind of like "nyah nyah, I've seen it and you haven't". In any case, this movie delivers exactly what you'd expect from the trailers. Being an "old guy", I'll first admit I went into this show knowing absolutely nothing about the 2 young actors in the starring roles, so all I can base my opinion on is their performance in this particular movie. They're talented. They did a good job. I like James Garner, and he of course ALWAYS does a good job. I also like Sam Sheperd, and although he has a very small part in the film he's good too. I haven't read any Nicholas Sparks books, but my wife has, she likes them. I think the director did a good job making this story into a film, because he really caught the flavor of small town America in the 1940s, (except I didn't think anyone living in a small Southern town in the 1940s would have long hair and a beard like the leading man) and included some nice shots of sunsets on the lake and beautiful live oak trees with all the moss hanging off of them and so forth, so visually it's done well too. The storyline is predictable, but if you've read the book you know the story anyway. So anyway I liked the movie, it's a nice way to spend 2 hours in the theatre, your wife or girlfriend will enjoy it, and even if you're an old guy like me you will too.