A beautiful love story for tender hearts

Rating: 10/10 (28 July 2004)

I knew I wanted to see "The Notebook" from the moment I saw its first trailer months ago. The wait has been worth it; this is a tender, loving film.
I've read complaints in other reviews that the movie is too perfect, too idealized, too sugary - too beautiful! - and that maybe the director should shake his head and get back to reality. I agree on one point; that the ending is tied-up as perfectly as a little bow.
But to all you detractors out there, I say so what. So what? Something in our hearts always longs for the best, the happiest, the most wonderful. And that place is always out there, seemingly unreachable, as far away as the moon over the water on a cloudless night.
But then too, on quiet nights, some of us have peered up at that moon, and been swept by its embrace.
This isn't a perfect quotation, but even Mr. Spock, in one of his rare 'illogical' moments, after looking up at a rainbow, once said, "I could always explain to you a rainbow's science. But I've never before perceived its beauty."
So to all you sugar-coated dreamers out there, bless you. The moon is much closer than you think.