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Analytical Essay on "The Notebook" Film

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In the early 1900’s silent films amazed audiences with images, later talkies impressed with sound, today we have 3D. As technology continues to evolve so too will film genres. Genres, while having some shared characteristics, also differ in terms of stylistic devices used. For instance, the dramatic film “The Notebook” effectively uses color to reinforce theme and has plausible performers as the two main protagonists.

“The Notebook” directed by Nick Cassavetes in 2004 tells the story of a couple’s fifty year long love affair and its trials and tribulations. The film begins in a nursing home where an old man (Noah) reads a book to an old lady (Allie) suffering from Alzheimer’s. Noah, a poor country boy, and Allie, a rich city girl, meet …show more content…

Their facial expressions, gestures and movements make audiences empathize with the protagonists. In the scene of their first quarrel Rachel McAdams cries, sobs, portrays despair and pleads to stay ,as realistically as if she feels her character’s emotions. In scenes of happy moments she smiles and laughs sincerely, like when she listens to Noah (Ryan Gosling) sitting next to her. Ryan Gosling also demonstrated his acting talents in the movie. His character is very romantic and faithful and the actor expressed these traits very well. For instance, in the scene he first meets her he looks at her with loving eyes, his eyebrows are raised a bit as he cannot stop admiring her. When other women try to talk to him, he lets them see their attempts are futile via tone changes and hands crossed on his chest, which express his love and faithfulness. Such a realistic actors’ performance reinforces the dramatic plot.

Warm and pastel colors predominate in ”The Notebook”. The creators intended to reinforce the theme also by means of colors. Episodes, in which Allie and Noah are together, have more white, beige, pink, light blue and green. For instance, Noah painted the house he restored in white color; the sky is clear and blue when they are together. The white color of the house represents purity of Noah’s love and his devotion to Allie, and the clear

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