On The Notebook

“The Notebook” cuts between the same couple at two seasons in their lives. We see them in the urgency of young romance, and then we see them as old people, she disappearing into the shadows of Alzheimer’s, he steadfast in his love. It is his custom every day to read to her from a notebook that tells the story of how they met and fell in love and faced obstacles to their happiness. Sometimes, he says, if only for a few minutes, the clouds part and she is able to remember who he is and who the story is about.
The lovers are named Allie Nelson and Noah Calhoun, known as Duke. As old people they’re played by Gena Rowlands and James Garner. As young people, Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling do really good jobs. The performances are suited to the material, respecting the passion at the beginning and the sentiment at the end, but not pushing too hard; there is even a time when young Noah tells Allie, “I don’t see how it’s gonna work,” but it did.
When she gradually remembered something, it is one of the best moments we come to the movies to be swept away into another time and place, and that’s where “The Notebook” gets it right.