The Most Embarrassing Movie I’ve Ever Loved

Before we start to judge my potential sexual orientation (I’m straight, I swear) or just exactly how manly I am (I’m pretty sure I’m made of sheer braun) you have to understand that I have come to the following conclusion about as begrudgingly as one can:

I love The Notebook.

For starters, if you have not seen this movie, stop reading this right now. I’m less concerned about giving away any spoilers (as there are none really) but more because you’ll have a greater appreciation of just how much of a sissy-boy I am if you’ve seen it.

I have to admit that I really do like the movie, but I think now I like the movie for the wrong reasons. You see, if I’m taking to a lovely young lady at a local watering hole here in NYC and I causally throw into the mix a reference to Allie & Noah…my god, do they swoooon! I mean who thought “I’m really just a Noah searching for my Allie” would go such a long way. Gentlemen, take my advice…add this into your witty banter repertoire. If you happen to be talking to the 1 girl out of 5 trillion who has not seen this movie…you can just write it off as “good friends of yours who fell in love” – they’ll be none the wiser.

Warning: This is very dangerous if you actually haven’t seen the movie, as follow up questions could lead to the revelation that you are an even bigger loser than I (as you’re referencing this movie AND you never seen it)

In any event, let’s move on…

I think the key for any “chick flick” to actually not be as miserable as it appears (and lets be honest, this movie appears like it would be a trip to the oral surgeon for us guys) you need a male character to connect to. In The Notebook, that would be Ryan Gosling…and to a smaller degree James Garner. (Wow he’s getting old…I mean I thought he was old already in Maverick and that was 11 years ago) I’m glad Ryan has found his way out of the very small indie niche he was carving out for himself and into a more mainstream role. (I me mainstream in the sense of the story…if you’ve seen his other movies like The Believer or The United State of Leland, you’ll know what I mean) His character is the kind of guy us guys would have no problem a) being, b) being friends with, or for us aspiring actors c) playing the role of. He’s a man’s man. He refurbishes old mansions, he builds furniture, he drinks quite a few beers, rows a canoe, is tall (IMDb lists him at 6’1), and how can you not love that incredible beard. Oh and he doesn’t take shit from the girl he loves. Noah is the perfect man. Noah is my hero.
On the flip side, not only does the female lead need to be attractive to keep our attention, but she also has to be incredibly likeable…simply put, for this to work we have to want the girl almost as much as the male character does. And my oh my does Rachel McAdams fit the bill. I don’t know any straight man who wouldn’t want to be with Ms. McAdams. (Strike that…I don’t know any straight man who wouldn’t want to be with her character…I mean she the actress might be totally insane – we don’t know that)

I think another part of the movie that really hit home for me was the era it’s being told in: the 1940s. There was a great balance felt between finding the charm of that era vs. having to labor through some sort of period piece. To be honest, for the 40s it felt very contemporary…which I think made it much easier (and more enjoyable) to watch.

Next up: a great, climactic, acting-class worthy, monologue. Delivered by the aforementioned greatest guy ever…Noah. Advice to all male acting students: Learn the ‘We fight…that’s what we do” monologue…you nail that, you’ll get any part you ever want.

Lastly, the way the story is told in flashbacks works perfectly. A now old Noah retelling the story of how they met to a now old Allie (who is suffering from Alzheimer's) is simply an easy and effective way of telling the story.

You know what, Eff everyone! This movie is a good movie…who cares that I’m a guy and that it’s 100 girly movie. My friends can go to hell if they think I’m a bit of a dandy for liking this movie so much…So what if I cry in my bed clenching my husband (the pillow), surrounded by used tissues, every time I see the scene where James Garner gets into the bed at the end with Gena Rowlands or when Allie asks Noah “why didn’t you write me!?” or the big monologue scene – damn it, I can’t take it! (starts crying…wipes tears away) …oh wait, um (awkward silence) hmm…maybe I should have kept that last bit to myself.

I didn’t cry…I swear?