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A Fine Old-Fashioned Tearjerker! Although "The Notebook," a film based on Nicholas Spark's novel of the same name, tells a familiar tale of star-crossed lovers, I found the movie convincing and moving enough to use all the extra tissues I brought along with me. The acting is remarkably good - how could it be otherwise when the cast includes such luminaries as James Garner, Gena Rowlands, Joan Allen and Sam Shepard? Directed by Nick Cassavetes, from a screenplay by Jeremy Leven, the story is told through a series of flashbacks. In an upscale nursing home, Duke, (James Garner), an elderly retiree, with a genuine warm nature, reads aloud excerpts from a worn notebook to Allie, (Gena Rowlands), a patient suffering from Alzheimers. She doesn't know Duke, but obviously adores the sad, romantic tale so much, that she becomes more alert and focused when he reads to her. His kind, tender manner may have something to do with her responsiveness also. The movie, and the notebook's narrative, go back in time to the year 1940 and the small southern town of Seabrook, NC. Allie Hamilton, (the luminescent Rachel McAdams), a wealthy, headstrong city girl is vacationing at her family's summer home. She meets a local boy, Noah Calhoun, (Ryan Gosling), and the two fall in love. Noah is a sincere, down-to-earth, intelligent young man, with a tendency toward the dramatic. On one occasion he hangs on the rungs of a Ferris wheel and threatens to jump if Allie won't go out with him. The two give exuberant performances as the spontaneous teens, who are reckless in their joy of each other, and refreshingly innocent in their love. Noah seems to free Allie from the refinements and restrictions of her class. Her mother (Joan Allen) does not approve of the match. She thinks Noah is a nice boy but calls him "trash," because he is not of their social class. Unfortunately for the youngsters, Noah is not a member of elite society - at least not elite enough for Allie's parents. And he is poor, financially, if not in spirit. The Hamilton's put the kabosh on the relationship. Surprisingly, Noah agrees with them in a sense. He understands that he will never be able to provide for Allie in the manner to which she is accustomed. Then the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. Noah enlists. A year later Allie meets a wealthy, charming Army officer (James Marsden), scion of one of Savannah, Georgia's finest families. Her parents approve of the match. After the war, Allie becomes engaged. Then she spots a news story about Noah, whom she assumed had died overseas. This is a gentle film, which tugs at the heart-strings. My only complaint is that the film is two scenes too long. Occasionally it is best to leave some things to the imagination. Prior to seeing "The Notebook," I had read various reviews criticizing it for being "formulaic, manipulative and treacly." Labeled a chick flick, I know many men who have really enjoyed it. I am glad I rarely pay attention to film critics. I will gladly fly in the face of nay sayers and recommend this entertaining, emotional tearjerker as a romantic drama well worth seeing. JANA