Warning
The following entry contains Spoilers. Exit this page if you don’t want anything spoiled.
Introduction
The moment that opening sequence faded in—that slow, gliding shot of Noah rowing across the lake, the water glazed in soft blues and dusky golds, I knew I was in for something heavy. That dramatic, yet peaceful color graded sequence of “Duke” or “Noah” rowing across the lake really hones in on the main themes of the film. To me, the main takeaways are:
- Love is something that transcends norms and expectation.
- Wealth and fulfillment are very different things.
- Alzheimer’s freaking sucks.
Summer is a Feeling
It only made sense that it all took place in the summer. They leaned into every trope of the season: the hot sticky nights, the county fairs, all of the scenes near the water. I really felt like I was living in summer in the south.
There’s something enchanting about the way summer becomes more than a backdrop, it becomes metaphor for fleeting moments & love that only feels possible when the world slows down. And maybe that’s why it hit so hard. I grew up in rural Maryland. Summer wasn’t just a time of year, it was a feeling. Long drives, the way fireflies caught the light, the sound of someone calling your name across the grass in pitch darkness. I haven’t really felt that kind of summer since I left. San Francisco summers don’t exactly offer much warmth. And maybe that contrast, the cold fog outside and the warmth of this story inside, stirred something up in me.
In the movie, summer doesn’t last. And that’s kind of the point. The fling ends. The distance creeps in. Parents interfere. Real life just shows up. But what stays, what they never quite shake, is the memory of that one, endless summer.
And I think that’s the part most people recognize, even if their lives look nothing like the film. Because the truth is, summer doesn’t hit the same once adulthood begins. There’s always something scheduled. Something due. Something expected. But those few months when everything felt simple and beautiful? We carry them. Even when everything else changes.
Exploring the Themes
On Love
I think the notebook really touches on the idea that love is something that transcends norms and expectation. That spark Allie feels with Noah doesn’t come from how similar their upbringing and circumstances are. It doesn’t come from what he can offer her on paper. It comes from presence. It comes from being with someone who reminds you, even in the most boring moments, that this life is something precious.
Allie’s life was almost entirely figured out for her wealth, structure, future. When she got engaged, she wasn’t unhappy exactly, but she wasn’t alive in the way she was when she was with Noah. And I think there’s something really meaningful in that. We all need someone, whether it’s a partner or a friend, who reminds us that we’re allowed to feel. That we’re allowed to want more, even if what we have looks perfect from the outside.
I think it’s important to have someone that reminds you all the time that life is very precious, and we have something really special. That we should never take for granted. I think that is one of the most beautiful qualities of love. And something that should persist as your relationship grows. In this case, that was Ryan Gosling. He was the epitome of spontaneity, charm, and fulfilling general contentness for Allie.
Wealth & Fulfillment
I think one of the biggest takeaways is that wealth and fulfillment are two very different things. You can really see that throughout the movie, especially as the relationships evolve. Even though Allie seemed happy with the husband her parents approved of, she was missing that spark, that innate desire and thrill for life that came with being with someone who was truly hers.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. It feels like we’re always chasing the next big thing, whether it’s a promotion, a raise, or just something to upgrade our lifestyle a bit. But the truth is, I don’t think I’m any happier with more luxurious things. If anything, it just makes me a little greedier each time.
Even with something as simple as credit cards, when I first got lounge access, I was amazed. It felt so nice to sit in a really nice airport lounge. And yet, I’m not actually happier than I was sitting in one of those old, uncomfortable airport chairs. Sure, the lounge is nicer, but the excitement and joy of talking with friends before the trip hasn’t changed and it never will, no matter how fancy the setting.
I think that’s what Allie realizes, too. She had everything she thought she ever wanted, comfort, stability, status, but none of it could replace the deep connection you feel when you’re with someone who really sees you. And that kind of connection, whether it’s with a partner or a close friend is what truly brings meaning.
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s freaking sucks. Without a doubt, this was one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever watched in a movie. There are very few films that can bring me to the verge of tears or give me that massive lump in my throat, but The Notebook did it. The way it portrayed love and how it built something so beautiful just to have it slowly taken away felt almost cruel.
But at the same time, it really brought awareness to how devastating Alzheimer’s truly is. I don’t even have much to say beyond that. It’s just incredibly sad and deeply depressing. On a different note, screw retirement homes. I highly recommend reading Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, it’s extremely enlightening.
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