Title: The Notebook

Date: 2004

Media type: Film

Format: Complete

Category: Internal Dynamics of Families

Keywords: adolescence, conflict management, parent-child relationships, parenting styles, social and cultural influences

Rating: PG 13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned

Audience(s): High School Age, College Age, Adults, Parents, Couples

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Duke goes to the Nursing home every day to read to an old woman who has senile dementia. The story is set in the 1930’s. The main character, wealthy 17-year-old Allie Hamilton, is spending the summer with her family in Seabrook. At the local carnival, she meets a man by the name of Noah. It wasn’t love at first sight, but it didn’t take long for the two to fall in love. However, Allie’s parents do not approve of Noah due to the fact that he is of a much lower social class than them. Her parents move to New York to separate the two and help Allie focus more on her studies. For the next 365 days, Noah wrote love letters to her, but Allie’s mother intercepted them. Allie had no knowledge that the letters existed. Three years later World War II begins, and Noah enlists himself and Allie works as an army nurse. As a nurse, Allie meets injured soldier, the wealthy Lon Hammond. When the war ends, the two run into each other and go on several dates. In no time the couple has fallen in love and are planning their wedding. Due to his higher social class, Allie’s parent can’t help but approve of their engagement. As they are preparing for the wedding, Allie sees an article that featured Noah. She sets out on a quest to find him to see where her mind is at regarding him. The two start right where they left off, but this leaves Allie more confused than ever. Should she chose the love of her life Noah, or should she go with Lon, someone that she doesn’t love as much but will always be able to provide for her?

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: What type of parenting style do Ali’s parents have? Do you feel that they created good structure for their daughter or they sheltered her too much?

Places to view: ITunes, YouTube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play

Contributor: Krista Hamann