Aklan State University

School of Arts and Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Banga, Aklan

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements In

Care of Older Adult (NCM 114)

Movie Review

Submitted by:
Karen Kate Tubasco
BSN 3-1 B

Submitted to:
Ms. Ma. Ellen N. Cortes, RN
Instructor

December 2020
 I have seen this movie for how many times and my feelings are still the same as the first
time I saw this movie. This movie entitled “The Notebook” is a timeless love story based on the
novel written by Nicholas Sparks, one of my favorite authors. He truly knows how to write a
good love story writing other romance stories like A Walk to Remember, Dear John, Safe
Haven, and The Lucky One. He does not disappoint me with any of these love stories.

This movie focuses on the young love of Allie Nelson and Noah Calhoun, played by
Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling. The film creates the perfect romance scene for the two to
fall in love. What makes this story so unusual is that it goes back and forth from when they fell
in love to later in their life. Allie is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and the agitated Noah reads his
journal he kept of their love story back when they
were young. He has every faith that his words give
his wife, Allie, an opportunity to revive their chaotic,
young and unforgettable love. Day after day, he read
parts of his old journal, treating him as a lovely yet
mystifying person. Dementia is an unforgiving
disease that takes away memory and impacts a
patient's independence. Allie's type of dementia is
nevermore defined in the movie. However, the
majority of the audience likely identifies with
Alzheimer's dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most
common form of dementia that gradually worsens over time. In the movie, a nurse tries to
remind Allie that she loves to play the piano and she can remember a piece of music from
memory. Tasks once enjoyable to Allie, like painting, became next to impossible after a while.
The movie depicts Allie as having complete memory loss of her past. She is unable to recognize
her husband, children, and grandchildren. Allie's entire reality is deleted, and she is living the
life of a stranger among her loved ones. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there
are strategies to delay progression, maximize function, and maintain independence. As time
progressed, Allie’s, world became more senseless. Throughout the film, it is apparent that it is
difficult for her to form complete thoughts and understand those around her. As Allie's disease
progresses, Noah continues to remain optimistic that he can bring her memory back, if only for
a moment. He persists with reading his journal to Allie and invites her to a romantic dinner
coordinated by the staff members. During dinner, Allie has a moment of clarity where she
recognizes Noah, but her memory quickly lapses. She becomes confused, scared, agitated, and
begins yelling out. The staff comes in and attempts to restrain Allie with an injection of an
unknown medication. Noah is distraught over the incident. However, he never loses faith that
his Allie will come back to him.

I think this film is beneficial for nursing students as it accurately portrays the struggles
of the caregiver burden. Allie's family must make difficult decisions about her care and have to
be sensitive to not upset her in her confused state. The film also describes the emotional
decision families must make to place their loved one in a nursing facility to ensure adequate
care is given to the patient. This movie may serve as a platform to facilitate a discussion around
the healthcare provider's role in prolonging independence and the importance of slowing
disease progression. Students may also benefit from discussing how to ensure caregiver health.

All Pictures are taken from Pinterest.