The Notebook (2004)

The movie opens with Duke narrating a story to Allie at an old age care home. Allie is suffering from dementia while Duke is relentless in trying to revive her memories of her past life.

The story that Duke narrates is about a young couple, Noah and Allie, who are madly in love with each other despite their obvious social differences. Circumstances cause them to drift apart before they are brought back together. Whether they unite or not is what this story is about.

As the movie progresses, we come to know that the couple whose life is shown is actually Duke and Allie. Their love transcends time and all barriers. It is true love at its purest

The love chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams is cracking. Ryan is particular is passionate to the core. His 2 getups look majestic.

The scene when he asks Allie out for a date on top of the Ferris wheel, the couple's first date, their romantic escapades, the easy bonding between Noah and his father & the scene when an enraged, bearded Noah asks Allie to do what she wants are gems. The movie infact is a classic replete with more such impressive scenes.

Rachel impresses in parts while she overacts and becomes artificial at times. She is charming though. James Marsden is really lively in a small role as Allie's engaged fiancee, Lon.

The nurses in the movie have nice little roles while the elder couple make a mark too with their intense bonding in the sunset of their lives.

The movie has a moving soundtrack and some lovely locales that add to the endearing quality of the lead pair's romance. It's poetic on the whole

VERDICT: An intense romance that lasts a lifetime. Moving and Poetic.

The Ides of March (2011)

Stephen Meyers works for the democratic presidential candidate Governor Mike Morris. Stephen is a very smart man and is loyal to his colleague, friend and mentor Paul. Stephen is lured to work for the Republican candidate but, he stays put on Paul's side. He also has a thing going with Molly, an intern at his campaign office.

As time passes, he comes to know of the true colors of the people around him. The people whom he respected aren't as true as what he believed them to be. He is drawn into a big conspiracy theory and is thrown out of his job by Paul. 

Stephen then compromises on the very values he stood by all along. In the end, he is also sucked into political games and is forced to manipulate to get the top job all to himself

Hits

• Very serious political drama with an ensemble cast. Ryan Gosling leads the way with Philip Seymour Hoffman and George Clooney chipping in. 
• The movie is unwavering and never loses focus. 

VERDICT

A political drama all the way. Unwavering and focused effort by George Clooney. 

Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

Cal has some problems in his marriage with Emily and they decide to part ways. They are married for over 25 yrs and they have 3 kids - Hannah, Robbie and Molly. Emily has an affair with her colleague David.

Just when Cal is down and out and frustrated in the nearby bar, Jacob befriends him and changes his style, looks and outlook towards women. Before long Cal starts nailing woman after woman. But, his heart still beats for his wife despite all these affairs.

Meanwhile, Jacob and Hannah fall in love. Babysitter 17 yrs old Jessica also has a secret crush on Cal while Robbie is madly in love with Jessica. There is a lot of heartache due to all these affairs and secret crushes. Finally, things are sorted out on Robbie's graduation day and it's a happy scene again.

Hits

• The scene where all the affairs and secret crushes are exposed is a real laugh riot. 
• The cool metamorphosis of Cal and the way the romance develops between Jacob and Hannah, are also well shown. 
• Ryan Gosling is a real cool hunk and a serious charmer. Well cast. Steve Carell and Julianne Moore play the elder couple with conviction. Jonah Bobo as Robbie, Analeigh Tipton as Jessica, Emma Stone as Hannah round off the main cast. A job well done by all these actors with no exceptional performance as such. 

Comments

• Quite slow moving

VERDICT

Another relationship movie that might appeal to the chicks and the romantics. 

Drive (2011)

An expert driver takes up the case of his neighbor - a young married woman Irene with a young child Benicio. Her husband just returns from jail and he lands up in trouble. The driver offers his services for a heist to get him out of trouble but it goes terribly wrong.

A series of people get killed and the driver settles things one by one and ensures that Irene and Benicio are safe. He drives away in the end after finishing the job that he set out to do.

Hits

• Ryan Gosling is mean and silent throughout. He smiles and talks only in a measured way. When he shows his aggression, it doubles the impact
• The other characters like the wife, the cute kid, the husband, the driver's garage boss, the mob etc. all have their minor parts. 
• Some scenes like the first kiss between the driver and his neighbor inside the lift followed by the bloody murder are pretty unexpected and abstract. 

Comments

• Carey Mulligan is so pretty and charming. Her smiles work wonders
• The killings in the movie are quite gory and bloody. 
• The soundtrack has some feel good songs. 
• The driver doesn't have a name. 

Who'll like this

For serious film buffs who prefer some understated action and not over the top stuff. Won't run much in India if it releases.