from Ben's mom
On a recent Sunday (always feast days so Lent is suspended), we rented The Notebook. Here is my review:
I love the premise of this movie. The idea of an aging woman suffering from Alzheimer's being read to by a gentle man whose patience and persistence help her discover her youth is a concept for a beautiful story. And that part of the movie is flawless. Gena Rowlands and James Garner both give beautiful performances.
However, the story within the story, the subjects of the notebook, aren't up to their par. As is typical, the filmmakers, chose to ignore that premarital sex would not be the norm in 1940's southern America. It happened but it wouldn't have happened without some moral angst on the part of its participants, particularly the female one. I was disappointed in Nicholas Sparks, who did not ignore the place of religion and morality in his earlier novel, A Walk To Remember. I appreciated that neither beau, vying for the love of the female subject, is made to be a villain or a lesser choice. That could have added depth. It didn't because the film fails to adequately show the heroine (if she can be called that) working through her feelings for both men. If anything, it leaves the question of whether her final choice had everything to do with rejecting the shallow value-system of her mother. (That is a good thing, but it didn't determine which choice was best for her.)
I dislike the notion in romances that one should always marry their first love. While first loves are powerful and great caution should be given in preparing our children for those powerful first feelings, first loves aren't always the best choice. Often those involved have not grown up enough to know who they are, what they believe, and what they value. Sometimes it takes maturity and humility to recognize that it is best to say "goodbye" to a first love (before you say "I do" of course).
Part of the story is so beautiful and so deep that for me the movie was worth seeing. However, be warned to have the fast forward ready for a couple of risque love scenes.
If you are willing to have some of the plot revealed to you, check out Unplugged's movie review. While some of it is off-base, the conclusion is especially well-done.
1 comment:
Okay, I'm really late to post because I've been insanely busy at work and behind on reading my favorite blogs - but hopefully my comments still "count." :)
We also recently saw "The Notebook" and I completely agree with your take on it. I had really high expectations for it because I'd heard so many great things about it but found myself being disappointed. Although I liked the characters involved, and wanted the girl to end up with Noah, I felt like she was a little shallow and was also puzzled as to the depth of her committment and the exact reason for her decision.
The premarital sex also ruined it for me. It's almost like, in order for a relationship to "count" or be remembered, according to Hollywood, it must experience sex. I thought it would've been a sweeter movie had it not brought the whole sexual thing into play.
Anyway, it was a good movie but not a great movie. Which is sad - because it had the potential to be great.
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