The Notebook

2004

The Notebook may be my favorite romantic drama of the last few years. A beautifully written story, great acting, and just a generally well-done movie make this excellent viewing.

It's a chick-flick, sure, but it's a lot more.

The story begins with an old man reading a story from a notebook to an old woman in a nursing home. The story he tells starts in 1940 with Allie (Rachel McAdams), a rich city girl who is vacationing in the country for the summer with her family. At a carnival, she meets Noah, a local boy. As they spend the summer together, their love grows, but at summer's end, Allie's parents, disapproving of Noah's modest background, discourage any further contact. For 365 days, Noah writes Allie, but her mother intercepts the letters, leaving Allie heartbroken that Noah has abandoned her.
 

After a year, Noah gives up, and when war is declared, he enlists. Meanwhile, to help the war effort, Allie volunteers as a nurse's aide, and she meets a wounded captain, son of wealthy parents, and eventually becomes engaged.

What happens next is somewhat predictable, although there are several surprises along the way. Even so, this movie is so well done, you won't care if you guess some of what will happen. It's just a wonderful movie, extremely uplifting but with a sad and poignant ending, and it is a must-see.
 

Rachel McAdams