The Notebook: A Story That Surpasses Time

The Notebook: A Story that Surpasses Time

Love stories have been made into great and not so great movies since the beginning of motion pictures. The pattern is usually the same in each movie, but for some reason people are drawn to them. The Notebook is another love story, but the dual plot and lack of special effects makes it different.

The Notebook is the story of Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) and their whirlwind summer romance. The young couple are separated by Allie's wealthy parents who think that Noah is not good enough for their daughter. Several years later, the couple is reunited. Their passion is rekindled, and Allie must choose between her true lover and her social rank. This beautiful love story has special meaning to an elderly gentleman (James Garner) who repeatedly reads the story to his ailing wife (Gena Rowlands).

The dual plot line makes The Notebook different from every other love story ever made. While both plots are traditional in their pattern, the use of two separate stories set in different times yet interwoven is not often seen. The first story of Noah and Allie is the main story and bulk of the movie. Their tale also appeals to the elderly gentleman as he tries to stay connected with his wife who has Alzheimer's. Her only connection to him and their past comes from Allie and Noah's story.

Another thing that makes this movie great is the lack of special effects. Although traditional love stories do not use special effects, many in the last seven to ten years have moved toward computer-generated backgrounds and high-energy action scenes. It is rare to find a movie without some type of special effect. The movie is centered on the actors and their abilities, not on how good the computer graphic artists can replicate or create things up. The real setting helps the viewer see the beauty in the story.

All in all, The Notebook is a beautiful and timeless love story. The dual plot lines and lack of special effects help to make this a movie that both men as well as women will enjoy. Because as it says on the back on the DVD case, "behind every great love is a great story."

Works Cited

The Notebook. Dir. Nick Cassavetes. Perf. Ryan Gosling,