Even though I haven't done so previously, I'd quite like to store all my film reviews in one place, so I'll also be putting in old film reviews as I watch them/write them. Starting with "The Notebook."
The Notebook is a load of sentimentality wrapped so tidily in a bow that you can easily be forgiven for not anything more than the definition of tear jerker. However if you delve a little deeper you'll see two stars of their generation putting to shame many actors who have tried (and ultimately failed) at creating the true cinema romance. The beautiful Rachel McAdams' Allie will win over everyone watching, and Ryan Gosling shows with Noah more than just a spark of the acting icon he is surely becoming.
Sadly, it's bookended and littered throughout with a glance forward in time as Garner and Rowland's old couple tell Allie and Noah's story with a reading of the titular notebook. It fails to hold back the film's secret, becoming obvious early on exactly where this story is going, and McAdams and Gosling's chemistry isn't matched by their elders. I found myself dis-interested in these cut-aways, much preferring to see the "flashbacks" of the story and disappointed I could see the film's conclusion before I wanted too.
