Close Reading of Film Stills in The Notebook

The first screenshot of the movie up top is a dark and moody scene, which symbolizes a lot of emotion. There are candles lit and Allie is wearing red, which is considered a romantic color in most western cultures. The screenshot focuses on Allie’s face which is filled with emotion after she begins to remember that the girl in the story Noah is telling, is her. You can see the tears in her eyes and on her face because there is just enough light in the dark room for her tear to glisten on her face. The second screenshot is a calm setting. The angle of the camera shot is centered on the both of them. Behind them is a calm lake which reflects tree branches, letting us know that there's probably a forest there. The sun is shining and the light jacket Noah is wearing tells us that it may be a bit chilly. Noah is holding the book in his hand; it is open while he looks at her and Allie’s face looks confused and she is starting down at the grass. There's a lot of natural lighting which changes the mood into a happy one. Allie is once again wearing red in this scene but the red look much brighter, to resemble to color of a rose. Noah’s posture on the chair tells us that he is relaxed. His back is against the back of the chair and his elbows rest on the arms. Allie on the other hand has her hands crossed on her lap and her back is not rested on the chair. She looks worried and confused. Although this isn’t a close up of her face, we can still see her mental state at that time.

Blog Assignment #1

   I chose research paper number two. I chose this topic in particular because I believe it will be interesting to view a film from a different lens. I'm using a book called " The theory toolbox" which helps you to decipher certain ideas using a set of tools. Basically, I’ll be viewing this film trying to see what things the director is using to help deliver his message. The film "The Notebook" by Nick Cassavete is based on the story of a young couple who fall in love despite their social class differences. They spend a lifetime together, and after many year the women develops alzheimer's. Her husband takes it upon himself to help her recover her memory by retelling their life story through a love story he reads her everyday. It will be interesting to find the points in which meaning is created maybe by the music playing in the background or the lighting in a room.  I'll be able to explain what impressions I got from tones set in different scenes and how the human mind works in any impactful moment that gave meaning to the movie. I may be able to argue what could have been done better and relate it back to what other critics have said about the film.  I am a visual learner and I retain a lot of information this way. I am excited about being able to view the films from a different perspective.