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1. Bibliographic Information
Emmerich, T. (Producer), Cassavetes, N. (Director.) (2004). The notebook. United States: New Line Home Entertainment.
Principle Actors: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands and James Garner
124 Minutes
Rated PG-13 for some Sexuality
ISBN: 0-7806-4883-8
2. Plot Summary
This movie begins with an older man named Duke, who reads to a woman with dementia. He begins to read her a story. Allie Hamilton is a young girl vacationing in South Carolina in the 1940s. Allie comes from a wealthy family with high expectations of her. However, when hanging out at a carnival, she meets a young man named Noah Calhoun, who is persistent in wanting to go on a date with her. Allie, though initially suspicious, finally consents to go on a date. What starts as a date turns into a whirlwind romance, and soon the young couple find themselves in love. Allie’s parents, however, disapprove of the match and essentially force them to break-up. It is seven years before Allie and Noah see each other again. Both have changed; Noah a war veteran has rebuilt an old house, while Allie is engaged to be married. Allie though is unsure about her situation and must make a decision which will affect her life forever.
3. Critical Evaluation
The Notebook definitely appeals to people’s sense of romance and love. The movie looks at a couple’s relationship throughout the course of their lives and the hardships that they endured. However, in some ways the movie is very much clichéd. It is as much about first loves as it is about the depth of love, however, this idea is very much dependent upon whether or not the viewer can connect with the characters despite a common plot. Allie and Noah’s initial relationship seems very instinctual. They have little in common with the exception of their attraction to each other. The movie even claims that they fight with each other the majority of the time. However, despite their differences, the characters claim their true love for each other. Like most films about a forbidden romance, the family does not approve, and there is a period of mistaken intent with the characters. After the characters’ reunion, their relationship seems in many ways to be dependent upon their initial feelings. Nevertheless, The Notebook does work. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the movie does show the growth of love over time. Is the movie formulaic, melodramatic, and in some ways over the top? Absolutely, however, in light of other movies of the same caliber, The Notebook does a good job for its purpose.
4. Reader’s Annotation
“Behind every great love is a great story.” –Movie tagline on DVD
5. Information about the Author
Nick Cassavete is the son of Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes. He has also directed the films John Q, Alpha Dog, and My Sister’s Keeper.
The movie was based upon the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. Sparks has written numerous books, usually quite like this one.
6. Genre
Drama/Romance
7. Curriculum Ties
N/A
8. Booktalking Ideas
-How does the movie differ from the book?
-How does this movie define love?
Emmerich, T. (Producer), Cassavetes, N. (Director.) (2004). The notebook. United States: New Line Home Entertainment.
Principle Actors: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands and James Garner
124 Minutes
Rated PG-13 for some Sexuality
ISBN: 0-7806-4883-8
2. Plot Summary
This movie begins with an older man named Duke, who reads to a woman with dementia. He begins to read her a story. Allie Hamilton is a young girl vacationing in South Carolina in the 1940s. Allie comes from a wealthy family with high expectations of her. However, when hanging out at a carnival, she meets a young man named Noah Calhoun, who is persistent in wanting to go on a date with her. Allie, though initially suspicious, finally consents to go on a date. What starts as a date turns into a whirlwind romance, and soon the young couple find themselves in love. Allie’s parents, however, disapprove of the match and essentially force them to break-up. It is seven years before Allie and Noah see each other again. Both have changed; Noah a war veteran has rebuilt an old house, while Allie is engaged to be married. Allie though is unsure about her situation and must make a decision which will affect her life forever.
3. Critical Evaluation
The Notebook definitely appeals to people’s sense of romance and love. The movie looks at a couple’s relationship throughout the course of their lives and the hardships that they endured. However, in some ways the movie is very much clichéd. It is as much about first loves as it is about the depth of love, however, this idea is very much dependent upon whether or not the viewer can connect with the characters despite a common plot. Allie and Noah’s initial relationship seems very instinctual. They have little in common with the exception of their attraction to each other. The movie even claims that they fight with each other the majority of the time. However, despite their differences, the characters claim their true love for each other. Like most films about a forbidden romance, the family does not approve, and there is a period of mistaken intent with the characters. After the characters’ reunion, their relationship seems in many ways to be dependent upon their initial feelings. Nevertheless, The Notebook does work. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the movie does show the growth of love over time. Is the movie formulaic, melodramatic, and in some ways over the top? Absolutely, however, in light of other movies of the same caliber, The Notebook does a good job for its purpose.
4. Reader’s Annotation
“Behind every great love is a great story.” –Movie tagline on DVD
5. Information about the Author
Nick Cassavete is the son of Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes. He has also directed the films John Q, Alpha Dog, and My Sister’s Keeper.
The movie was based upon the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. Sparks has written numerous books, usually quite like this one.
6. Genre
Drama/Romance
7. Curriculum Ties
N/A
8. Booktalking Ideas
-How does the movie differ from the book?
-How does this movie define love?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
(Cross-over) I would recommend this film to teens and adults starting at the age of 15. The reason I think that this movie appeals to teens is due to its rating and the number of Teen Choice Awards it received.
10. Challenge Issues
This movie is rated PG-13 for some sexuality. If anyone wished to challenge this film, I would recommend the ALA’s website for challenge information and documents at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
As well as the Motion Picture Association of America for more information on their ratings
http://www.mpaa.org/
http://www.mpaa.org/
11. Why was it selected?
A couple of girls at the high school I work at said that they enjoyed the book, so I thought it would be appropriate for this blog.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
A couple of girls at the high school I work at said that they enjoyed the book, so I thought it would be appropriate for this blog.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Emmerich, T. (Producer), Cassavetes, N. (Director.) (2004). The notebook. United States: New Line Home Entertainment.
Imdb.com. (2010). Awards for the notebook (2004). Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332280/awards
Imdb.com. (2010). Biography for Nick Cassavetes. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001024/bio
Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (2010). Motion Picture Association of America. Retrieved at http://www.mpaa.org/.
Picture
Imdb.com. (2010). The Notebook (2004). Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332280/
13. Awards
2005 BMI Film Music Award
2005 MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss
2005 Golden Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Gena Rowlands)
2005 Teen Choice Awards:
Choice Date Movie
Choice Movie Actor: Drama (Ryan Gosling)
Choice Movie Actress: Drama (Rachel McAdams)
Choice Movie Breakout Performance – Male (Ryan Gosling)
Choice Movie Chemistry
Choice Movie Liplock
Choice Movie Love Scene
Choice Movie: Drama
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