1. Chemistry
The chemistry between Ryan Gosling's Noah and Rachel McAdam's Allie was amazing, they work so well together. As much as I love both of these actors, I've not seen them have the same chemistry with anyone else in other film (except maybe with Bianca in Lars and the Real Girl?!). You really believe they are in love (they actually started dating in real life not long after this film was released)
2. Nicholas Sparks
I love Nicholas Sparks and his writing, I have read all his books to date and I am always excited to see a new one coming out or a film adaptation in the works. His books have a fantasy element about them, I just get lost in the story and usually finish his books within a day or two. In my personal opinion, this is the best adaptation of one of his books and by far the closest any of the films have come to being what my imagination decided it would be when I read the book.
3. Soundtrack
I love the soundtrack to this film, especially Billie Holiday's I'll be seeing you that becomes Noah and Allie's song. The soundtrack provides the perfect background for this story from the slow romantic main title score by Aaron Zigman to the upbeat jazz number that backs Allie and Noah's love montage - I love it all!!
4. The heartbreak *SPOILER ALERT*
No matter how many times I watch this film, my heart breaks every time. Alzheimer's is a horrific disease that traumatises both the patient and their loved ones. To realise that the children and grandchildren are Allie's but she has no idea has me an emotional wreck everytime. She is learning about her life as if it's someone else's and Noah does nothing but try to help her remember that it's her. Assume fetal position. Try not to cry. Cry a lot!
5. Allie's mother's confession
This was the moment in the film where you were supposed to realise that Allie's mother wasn't a bad person she just did what she thought was right. However, when I saw this scene I fist pumped the air and shouted 'Ah-ha' at the tele. Feeling very smug that the Mother may have made the wrong decision and that Allie was right all along. Not sure that's how Sparks wanted it to be viewed but that was my version AND I still don't like Allie's Mother (before you say anything Allie I don't mean your mother!! How rude! She happens to love you!)
6. Sam Shepherd
Who doesn't love Sam Shepherd, he is truly awesome and brings a real charm to this role. I wanted more of him and that is one place this film didn't deliver for me.
7. Allie's charm
This is a combination of the character written by Sparks and Rachel McAdams who brings her to life. She is everything I expected from the book including selfish and hot headed which I love about the character, she's not some whingey romantic she gets angry and she does hurt people. This makes her more real than the other female leads in Nicholas Sparks movies.
8. The Quotes
9. The follow-up *SPOILER ALERT*
If you read the books you will know what i'm talking about, if you don't wait a few years and i'm sure the film adaptation of The Wedding will be on the horizon. This is the story of Wilson and his wife Jane who have to admit that the romance is gone from their marriage. In desperation, Wilson turns to his Father-in-Law for advice, who just happens to be Noah Calhoun. The Notebook book actually has a different ending to the film, in that Allie passes away and Noah is left alone. In this book, he genuinely believes that Allie's soul is in a swan that swims on the lake, which is romantic in itself but also heart breaking (again!). Anyway, this book touches on the history of The Notebook while Noah tries to help Wilson become the romantic husband that he wants to be.
10. Ryan Gosling
No words needed:
Love, love, love this post! The more times I watch The Notebook the more I love it. Luckily I read the book before watching the film so appreciate the story even more <3
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think Jenna has probably read the book too but it's something I've been meaning to read for a long, long time now :)
ReplyDelete- Allie