OK for a rainy day, but keep checking the weather

Rating: 3/10 (18 December 2004)

Balanced between the past and the present, The Note Book tells the story of Noah Calhoun, who while at an amusement park, spots the girl of his dreams. After risking his life to ask her out (by hanging off a ride), the two fall madly in love. But disapproving parents, love rivals and a world war, all help make their love live as much a roller coaster as the amusement park they met in. Playing the loved up couple are Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, who help bring to the story the passion and worry that seems to fill the script. However some scenes feel so sickly sweet that diabetics should think twice, as director Nick Cassavetes goes for broke while trying to convince us of their love. Anchoring the film to the present day is James Garner and Gena Rowlands, as an old couple reading the story that unfolds. Garner is more Rocking Chair that Rockford File, and his scenes with Rowlands leads to a climax that even the most unobservant viewer would have guessed on page 1. However the film will please many who like reaching for a tissue, but for those who don't, this may be one notebook with pages not worth turning