Watch and Weep

I just read a review which not only challenged, but basically trampled on the movie's portrayal of Alzheimers. Even if the reviewer was correct and it is only a cheap and poorly researched vehicle to deliver emotions to the audience, I have to say I found it a very effective vehicle, and not at all manipulative or shmalzy.

Emotions are emotions and human suffering is human suffering. Love is love. Maybe I've been tricked, maybe I've voluntarily delivered my heartstrings for shameless tugging, but one man's shmalz is another man's sweet and effective romance, as they say.

James Garner plays "Duke," a loving husband who continues to spend time with his wife day after day even though she can't remember who he is. Gena Rowlands gives a touching and believeable performance as the Alzheimer's-afflicted Allie Calhoun. Through a gift of God or love (or both) and through the daily reading of the titular notebook by her patient spouse, Allie is given moments of clarity.

The said notebook tells the story of an unlikely couple who fall in love in one of the most true-to-life and unaffected courtships I've seen on the silver screen (okay, okay, the Ferris wheel bit you don't see every day), in 1940 South Carolina. Allie (Rachel McAdams) is a pretty little Southern Belle destined for a life of privilege and wealth. Noah (Ryan Gosling) works as a logger, and has little hope of ever rising above his current poverty. The two of them meet by chance at a carneval and engage in an irresistably sweet summer romance, which ends abruptly after Noah overhears Allie's controlling but well-meaning parents (David Thornton and Joan Allen) trying to convince her of the folly of their relationship.

Over the following years, each of them finds their life haunted by the memory of their brief time together. In spite of other relationships and experiences they can't get each other out of their heads. You all know it so I don't feel bad giving it away: Duke is Noah and Allie is (duh) Allie. So of course they will end up together.

The movie started out as sweet, funny, and real and won me over so completely that there was none of me left to resist bawling like a baby when the heartbreakingly sad parts hit.

Of which were many.

I can't imagine seeing this movie and not being touched by it-- and I could barely watch "I am Sam" without gagging to death on my popcorn and sarcasm.

The cinematography was fantastic. I found myself gasping at the beauty of the scenes several times throughout, and have seriously considered moving to South Carolina. The dialog was funny and incredibly real. It reminded me directly of my own dating experiences and different people I've known. The plot was more than a little predictable but still left me tense and uncertain more than once (am I stupid? Maybe.) James Garner was fantastic--to hell with it. They all were. Wonderful performances all around. Great message about love, devotion, and following your heart.

In short, I adored this movie, as I only adore movies that tear my heart into tiny pieces and then spit upon the pieces.