reviewed by Charity Bishop
        

Nicholas Sparks' novels have always made me cry. He has a wonderful way with words, and a beautiful insight into love stories, writing them with such poignancy that it leaves female audiences breathless. Films made from his best selling books do the same thing. The Notebook is a touching but unfortunately indecent film about two childhood sweethearts. The story is told through the perspective of Duke (James Garner), a resident in an old folk's home, reading from a weather-beaten notebook to a female resident (Gena Rowlands) about two young people in the 1960's.

Allie (Rachel McAdams) is a city girl with big dreams and an independently wealthy family. Slightly snobby and liked by all the boys in town, she won't look twice at Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) until he climbs up the Ferris wheel and begs her to go out with him, threatening to kill himself if she declines. That momentary agreement transforms into puppy love as Allie discovers that Noah shows her a side of life she's never seen before: one in which anything is possible, dreams are wishes that your heart makes, and spontaneous sweetness brings a smile to her face and laughter to her throat. Puppy love then progresses into the real thing, but Mom and Dad aren't too pleased with their daughter's choice in men. They shuffle their beloved daughter off to boarding school to find a blue-blooded husband, while Noah becomes involved in the second world war. Her many letters aren't responded to. Eventually she gives up on the youthful romance and settles for Lon (James Marsden), a respectable boy just like the one her parents wanted her to find.

In the meantime Noah goes into warfare and returns home a hero, but cannot dispel the ghosts of former love. The two are reunited one summer shortly before Allie's wedding and must choose whether to re-ignite their passion or move on with their lives. There's not really a lot of guessing involved as to which they'll choose, but it doesn't much matter. The story, while being tainted with an overload of objectionable content, is still good at its heart. Obviously a lot of love has gone into this production and it turns out a well-scripted storyline with likable characters and charming scenes. It's picturesque and breathtaking from beginning to end, opening with a spectacular lake sequence, and beautiful cinematography on the love scenes. The contrast between the old couple and the young is well done, shifting back and forth without losing the audience. Well-known older actors give it their best, but the real gems here are the leading roles.

Ryan Gosling has made his name from portraying teenage psychopaths. He stalked Sandra Bullock in Murder by Numbers, and made critics sit up and take notice with the highly controversial The Believer. This time he proves what every teenage girl already knows -- that he can also do down-home charm and romance. This young man is going places, but is only slightly more remarkable than his co-star. When you're not smiling, you're blinking back tears. Expect them to flow like a waterfall before the unexpected and beautiful conclusion. Some things are foreseen but the way in which they're presented, never become clichéd. It's a pity therefore that this movie isn't recommendable simply for the rampant sexual implications, content, and nudity. Other issues are minimal with only some mild battle violence and a handful of profanities (including three of GD), but filmmakers have gone overboard in creating steamy love scenes. Noah and Allie very nearly have sex on one occasion (they're interrupted, but not before stripping and rolling around on the floor) then later, when she's engaged to another man, go through with it. The scene is lengthy and graphic, with partial nudity and movement. It lapses into a passionate two-day "love affair," with several more instances of implied intimacy. Allie often leaps into Noah's arms and wraps her legs around his waist while they kiss.

While trying to get over Allie "abandoning him," Noah carries on a relationship with an older woman. He's seen curled up in her bed, but she's not displeased when he moves on. Army privates are seen nude (their hands block their crotches). There are some immodest outfits, and mildly sensual behavior. While movies of this nature could be called "sentimental rubbish," there's more to learn here than just the early flutter of young love. This relationship lasts through trials, suffering, arguments, and long years apart. We see not only the youthful passion of two souls, but also what becomes of them: a love that is never shaken even when one succumbs to Alzheimer's. That's what makes the viewer cry, and that's what makes The Notebook good at heart. It's far from perfect, but there are good lessons to be gleaned from its yellowed pages.