movie notebook reviews

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, chaz's journal, great movies, contributors, the notebook.

Now streaming on:

'The Notebook" cuts between the same couple at two seasons in their lives. We see them in the urgency of young romance, and then we see them as old people, she disappearing into the shadows of Alzheimer's, he steadfast in his love. It is his custom every day to read to her from a notebook that tells the story of how they met and fell in love and faced obstacles to their happiness. Sometimes, he says, if only for a few minutes, the clouds part and she is able to remember who he is and who the story is about.

We all wish Alzheimer's could permit such moments. For a time, in the earlier stages of the disease, it does. But when the curtain comes down, there is never another act and the play is over. "The Notebook" is a sentimental fantasy, but such fantasies are not harmful; we tell ourselves stories every day, to make life more bearable. The reason we cried during " Terms of Endearment " was not because the mother was dying, but because she was given the opportunity for a dignified and lucid parting with her children. In life it is more likely to be pain, drugs, regret and despair.

The lovers are named Allie Nelson and Noah Calhoun, known as Duke. As old people they're played by Gena Rowlands and James Garner . As young people, by Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling . The performances are suited to the material, respecting the passion at the beginning and the sentiment at the end, but not pushing too hard; there is even a time when young Noah tells Allie, "I don't see how it's gonna work," and means it, and a time when Allie gets engaged to another man.

She's a rich kid, summering at the family's mansion in North Carolina. He's a local kid who works at the sawmill but is smart and poetic. Her parents are snobs. His father ( Sam Shepard ) is centered and supportive. Noah loves her the moment he sees her, and actually hangs by his hands from a bar on a Ferris wheel until she agrees to go out with him. Her parents are direct: "He's trash. He's not for you." One day her mother ( Joan Allen ) shows her a local working man, who looks hard-used by life, and tells Allie that 25 years ago she was in love with him. Allie thinks her parents do not love each other, but her mother insists they do; still, Allen is such a precise actress that she is able to introduce the quietest note of regret into the scene.

The movie is based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks , whose books inspired "Message in a Bottle" (1999), unloved by me, and " A Walk to Remember " (2002), which was so sweet and positive it persuaded me (as did Mandy Moore as its star). Now here is a story that could have been a tearjerker, but -- no, wait, it is a tearjerker, it's just that it's a good one. The director is Nick Cassavetes , son of Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes , and perhaps his instinctive feeling for his mother helped him find the way past soap opera in the direction of truth.

Ryan Gosling has already been identified as one of the best actors of his generation, although usually in more hard-edged material. Rachel McAdams, who just a few months ago was the bitchy high school queen in " Mean Girls ," here shows such beauty and clarity that we realize once again how actors are blessed by good material. As for Gena Rowlands and James Garner: They are completely at ease in their roles, never striving for effect, never wanting us to be sure we get the message. Garner is an actor so confident and sure that he makes the difficult look easy, and loses credit for his skill. Consider how simply and sincerely he tells their children: "Look, guys, that's my sweetheart in there." Rowlands, best-known for high-strung, even manic characters, especially in films by her late husband, here finds a quiet vulnerability that is luminous.

The photography by Robert Fraisse is striking in its rich, saturated effects, from sea birds at sunset to a dilapidated mansion by candlelight to the texture of Southern summer streets. It makes the story seem more idealized; certainly the retirement home at the end seems more of heaven than of earth.

And the old mansion is underlined, too, first in its decay and then in its rebirth; young Noah is convinced that if he makes good on his promise to rebuild it for Allie, she will come to live in it with him, and paint in the studio he has made for her. ("Noah had gone a little mad," the notebook says.) That she is engaged to marry another shakes him but doesn't discourage him.

We have recently read much about Alzheimer's because of the death of Ronald Reagan. His daughter Patti Davis reported that just before he died, the former president opened his eyes and gazed steadily into those of Nancy, and there was no doubt that he recognized her.

Well, it's nice to think so. Nice to believe the window can open once more before closing forever.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

Now playing

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

Simon abrams.

Hollywood Black

Robert daniels.

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Peter sobczynski.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Matt zoller seitz.

Skywalkers: A Love Story

Film credits.

The Notebook (2004)

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality

123 minutes

Rachel McAdams as Young Allie Nelson

Ryan Gosling as Young Noah Calhoun

Gena Rowlands as Allie Nelson

James Garner as Noah Calhoun

Joan Allen as Allie's Mother

Heather Wahlquist as Sara Tuffington

Nancy De Mayo as Mary Allen Calhoun

Sylvia Jefferies as Rosemary

Directed by

Nick Cassavetes
Jeremy Leven

Based on the novel by

Nicholas Sparks

Latest blog posts

A Look Back at MUBI FEST CHICAGO

2024 XL Film Festival & Summit – Highlights of its Sophomore Year

Locarno Film Festival 2024: By the Stream, Toxic, Drowning Dry, When the Phone Rang

In Memoriam: Alain Delon

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

Upcoming Movies and TV shows
Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

About Rotten Tomatoes®
Login/signup

Movies in theaters

Opening this week
Top box office
Coming soon to theaters
Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

Fandango at Home
Prime Video
Most Popular Streaming Movies
Certified Fresh Movies
What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

81% Alien: Romulus Link to Alien: Romulus
88% Between the Temples Link to Between the Temples
100% Daughters Link to Daughters

New TV Tonight

93% Chimp Crazy: Season 1
100% Pachinko: Season 2
-- That '90s Show: Season 3
-- OceanXplorers: Season 1
-- Classified: Season 1
-- Reasonable Doubt: Season 2
-- The Anonymous: Season 1
-- Face to Face With Scott Peterson: Season 1
-- Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War: Season 1

The Notebook Reviews

The Notebook is one of those movies that is so sad, you could break out into tears just thinking about it.

Full Review | Oct 23, 2023

A tearjerker? It'll make you cry but it's not manipulative. A chick flick? It's just an inspiring love story that will touch your heart and make you believe true love can last a lifetime and conquer all. Isn't that what we all want?

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 21, 2023

There is always cinema room for the unabashed tearjerker, & THE N delivers on that "note." Any film that has Gena Rowlands in it will at least shine when she is on the screen & this was no exception. David Thornton with a handlebar mustache ... exquisite!

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Feb 25, 2023

Though torn between two storylines, one of which vastly outshines the other, "The Notebook" is still an impressive production.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Nov 7, 2020

Intelligently adapted and written by Jan Sardi, this is the tear-jerker of the summer. A chick flick? Yes. Classic Hollywood romance? Yes. Will it touch your heart? Without a doubt...

Full Review | Nov 13, 2019

James Garner and Gena Rowlands lend the story a graceful gravity that perhaps the rest of the film's more simplistic romanticism doesn't deserve.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 31, 2019

Never quite escapes the been-there-done-that feeling of Hollywood romantic cliché with sunny photography and perfectly tailored costumes to boot.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jun 5, 2019

Frank Capra would be proud of the way Nick Cassavetes pulls at the heart strings... Have tissues at the ready.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 18, 2019

The Notebook is a ghastly piece of oldie slush which is tediously orchestrated by Nick Cassavetes.

Full Review | Feb 2, 2019

The Notebook is the kind of syrupy, heightened melodrama more likely to be found in the pages of a Mills & Boon paperback than on the silver screen.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Feb 2, 2019

In a romance where paradise is a duck-filled pond, it helps to be mild-mannered.

Dentistry in the Renaissance could not have been more painful than watching this.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Feb 2, 2019

The Notebook is premium romantic schlock and confirms director Nick Cassavetes (Rowlands' son) as a specialist in the genre after John Q in 2002.

Two good, young performers and a couple of not-too-shabby older ones not only make The Notebook worth watching but distinguish the film as one of the year's more pleasant surprises.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 2, 2019

The Notebook is a thoroughly old-fashioned romantic melodrama awash with misty-eyed sentiment as it charts the obstacles placed in the path of two young lovers from opposite sides of the social divide.

A shameless tear-jerker and as corny as they come, this retro romantic drama skilfully pushes all the right emotional buttons.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 2, 2019

A honey-dipped love story with a surprisingly tart aftertaste, The Notebook is a better-than-you'd-expect adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's bestselling novel of the same name.

A story about true love that makes you cry, the kind you don't forget. [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 8.5/10 | Feb 2, 2019

What saves Notebook, or at least lifts it above itself, are the hints of hard-won grit that both Gosling and Garner inject into their characters.

Sure, The Notebook's story of first love tends toward the histrionic and self-important. But if that's case, perhaps Cassavetes, like Shakespeare, simply knows how to give the people what they want.

Full Review | Feb 7, 2018

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

DVD & Streaming

The Notebook

Drama , Romance

Content Caution

In Theaters

Rachel McAdams as young Allie Hamilton; Ryan Gosling as young Noah Calhoun; Gena Rowlands as elderly Allie; James Garner as elderly Noah; Joan Allen as Anne Hamilton; David Thornton as John Hamilton; James Marsden as Lon; Sam Shepard as Frank Calhoun; Kevin Connolly as Fin

Home Release Date

Nick Cassavetes

Distributor

New Line Cinema

Movie Review

I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough.

So opens The Notebook against the backdrop of a spectacular sunset over a lake, grabbing our hearts and never letting go as the extraordinary love story of Allie and Noah unfolds.

It begins at the end. Every day his failing health allows, an octogenarian shuffles down the corridors of a nursing home and enters an old woman’s room. Her mind is riddled by Alzheimer’s disease, but as the man reads from the handwritten pages of a worn notebook, science is defied and her memory is sparked by the timeless story of their love. …

The chronicle he reads begins one summer in 1930s North Carolina. Poor country boy Noah Calhoun meets rich city girl Allie Hamilton and is instantly attracted. Soon the two are inseparable, spending every waking moment together. He shows her how to have good ol’ country-style fun; she invites him into her world of fine arts and garden parties. By the end of the summer the teen soul mates have given their hearts, and most of their purity, to each other.

There’s just one problem: Allie’s parents have her future all planned out, and Noah doesn’t fit the picture of the wealthy, blue-blooded husband they have in mind for her. So without giving the young lovers a chance to even say goodbye, Mrs. Hamilton packs her little girl off to a fancy women’s college. Noah writes to Allie every day for a year, but never receives a reply. Unaware of parental deception, Allie and Noah are each devastated at the perceived abandonment by the other. They slowly rebuild their lives apart, haunted by memories of their first love.

Noah survives a stint in Patton’s third army during WWII, then returns to buy and restore his dream home, all the while fighting off Allie’s ghost. Allie gets an art degree and becomes a volunteer army nurse before settling down to the life her parents dreamed of. But why does she see Noah’s face while accepting the rich and handsome Lon’s proposal? When all hope seems lost, “fate” intervenes and they’re given a second chance at love.

Positive Elements

Noah’s dad models selflessness and generosity of spirit to his son. He teaches him to build a relationship one memory at a time by sharing life’s simple joys like fishing and eating pancakes at midnight. He also instills in his young son a love of poetry by having him repeatedly recite Walt Whitman to overcome a speech impediment. Noah’s love of the written word is embraced by Allie, and their shared passion for expressing their feelings in writing becomes the life support of their relationship. (In today’s high-tech world, it’s refreshing to find a story that upholds the power of the written word.)

Mrs. Hamilton redeems her broken relationship with her daughter by returning Noah’s letters at a critical moment and sharing a story from her own youth that helps Allie choose what path she will take. Noah’s example of placing his wife before all others is an inspiration to a generation taught to put their own needs first. He also makes it clear that love is hard, everyday work, and that squabbles don’t have to undo it. Ultimately, he gives up his beloved home and personal life to reside in a separate wing at her nursing home, not for health reasons, but to allow himself constant access to Allie.

Another poignant lesson here is that all human life has value. The elderly and mentally disabled still have much to offer and are not ready to be cast by society into the invisible realm of shadow people. This is reflected not only in the relationship between the aging Allie and Noah, but also in the compassionate treatment they receive from nursing home attendants who come up with creative ways to accommodate patients’ emotional and physical needs.

Spiritual Elements

The narrator, commenting on the doctor’s prognosis of Allie’s dementia, says, “Science only comes so far and then comes God.” He also speaks of the “miracle” of love. While Allie and Noah never discuss spiritual matters (except for lighthearted banter about being a bird in some past life), their love matures into the embodiment of God’s ideal expressed in 1 Corinthians 13.

Sexual Content

Author Nicholas Sparks told ChristianityToday.com that he believed his stories (most notably A Walk to Remember ) resonated with Christians because, “I have certain moral parameters that I do not cross in writing; I don’t write about adultery or kids having premarital sex.” His book The Notebook mentions (briefly) that the teenage Noah and Allie “both lost their virginity.” This movie, however, translates those four words into an onscreen romp that’ll leave families squirming uncomfortably in their seats. After exchanging promises, Noah and Allie shed their clothes one piece at a time, then engage in totally nude foreplay. (Calculated positioning of arms, legs and the camera, along with the low light, obscures both bodies’ most “delicate” parts.) Allie’s remaining virtue is rescued (and moviegoers’ along with her) when Noah’s best friend barges in and tells them Allie’s folks have the cops out looking for them.

Years later the now-adult couple’s second tryst, and actual consummation of their passions (an event written about in considerably detail in the book) occurs long into Allie’s engagement to a “good man” that she says more than once she’s in love with. She playfully rebukes Noah’s advances with, “You wouldn’t dare. I’m a married woman!” He counters by reminding her she isn’t married yet . They then commence a two-day love affair that, because of its fiery intensity and just-shy of explicit nudity feels like it lasts at least that long onscreen.

Thinking Allie is lost to him forever, Noah “takes the sting of loneliness” away by becoming bed buddies with a war widow named Martha. (Sex is implied when Martha gets out of bed nude; she’s seen from the back, from the waist up.) Martha knows he’s thinking of another woman during their romps but accepts his explanation that “the things you want are all broken, gone.” Martha goes over to Noah’s house after he’s reunited with Allie and asks to meet his “one.” Inexplicably, instead of being jealous, Martha is inspired by the love she sees. Her parting words to Noah are, “For the first time since I lost [my husband], I feel like I have something to look forward to.”

Elsewhere, Allie licks ice cream off Noah’s face on a public street (risqué stuff for 1930s rural America). And he slaps her bottom as she gets out of his truck. A nude Allie is seen painting (waist up from the back). A few characters wear revealing outfits.

Violent Content

Allie pushes and slaps Noah several times during a heated argument. (To his credit, Noah refuses to retaliate.) Noah’s best friend, Fin, dies in battle. (War images are brief and tempered.)

Crude or Profane Language

A half-dozen misuses of God’s name (three of “g–d–n”), and a dozen or so other mild profanities (“a–,” “h—,” “d–n”). The elderly Allie, commenting on a notebook passage, says, “She should have told them to stick it where the sun don’t shine.”

Drug and Alcohol Content

The narrator tells us that Noah goes on a 10-day drinking binge after seeing Allie with her fiancé, Lon. Indeed, both Noah and Allie drink quite a bit to smother their pain. Allie and Lon seem a bit tipsy while drinking champagne at a nightclub. Lon has a casual drink in his office. When the adult Allie and Noah have beers with dinner, she tells him she’s a cheap drunk. Guests at a party drink and smoke cigarettes. WWII soldiers and Lon also inhale.

Other Negative Elements

A few juvenile hijinks don’t cause much of a ruffle onscreen, but could result in real-life unhappy endings if imitated: An impetuous young Noah dangles from the heights of a Ferris wheel with one hand to capture Allie’s attention. (She responds by undoing his pants and revealing his boxers.) When Noah challenges Allie to lie down in the middle of an intersection (remember, this is rural America) in the middle of the night, she asks, “What happens if a car comes?” His deadpan reply? “You die. You have to learn to trust.” Elsewhere, army recruits are seen nude. (Their hands cover their privates.)

Allie’s parents make no secret of the fact that they believe Noah isn’t worthy of their daughter. They like him all right, he’s just not rich enough and doesn’t have the right daddy. On the night of the couple’s breakup, Noah overhears Allie’s mother calling him “trash, trash, trash!” Mrs. Hamilton’s deception of hiding Noah’s letters from Allie succeeds in keeping the couple apart for years, but at the cost of a strained mother-daughter relationship.

Some will write The Notebook off as yet another emotionally manipulative and overly-sappy “chick flick.” But because it looks so tenderly at an elderly couple stricken by Alzheimer’s, others will find themselves attracted to it, placing themselves into the story and living out its emotion. It might also be seen as a timely reflection of the deep and lasting loved shared by Nancy and Ronald Reagan, whose love story has made a permanent cultural impression. Just as Nancy’s commitment and love transcended the emotional and physical gulf that marked her husband’s disease, so Noah’s steadfast love for Allie sustains them.

Nicholas Sparks has said his story “is a metaphor for God’s love for us all. The theme is everlasting, unconditional love. It also goes into the sanctity of marriage and the beauty you can find in a loving relationship.” Although that metaphor gets more than a little muddied by premarital sex, Noah and Allie ultimately realize the full potential of mature love. Most romantic dramas only celebrate the chaotic, spontaneous flush of young love, serving it up as the pinnacle of the relationship before either settling down on a complacent plateau or crashing down the slippery slope of dysfunction. Sparks’ movie shows a rare understanding of the kind of love God desires for married couples, a once-in-a-lifetime deep intimacy of spirit, expressed without boundaries and growing in strength and loveliness as time goes by. It is the kind of soul-satisfying love that God established as a demonstration of His own love for His people, hence the author’s metaphor. That makes it all the more regrettable that steamy sex scenes will give a lot of adults reason to pause, and push the tale (at least unedited) out-of-bounds for discerning teens.

Rhonda Handlon

Latest reviews.

Blink Twice

Inside Out 2

Weekly Reviews Straight to your Inbox!

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

For Parents
For Educators
Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

Movie Reviews
Best Movie Lists
Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

Best TV Lists
Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
Common Sense Selections for TV
Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

Book Reviews
Best Book Lists
Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

Game Reviews
Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

Podcast Reviews
Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

App Reviews
Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

YouTube Channel Reviews
YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

How to Help Kids Build Character Strengths with Quality Media

Family Tech Planners
Digital Skills
All Articles
Latino Culture
Black Voices
Asian Stories
Native Narratives
LGBTQ+ Pride
Best of Diverse Representation List

Multicultural Books

YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

The notebook.

Common Sense Says
Parents Say 35 Reviews
Kids Say 107 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?

More sex than you'd expect for a syrupy romance.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Steamy passion between the two young lovers. Lots of making out and heavy pettin

A 17-year-old smokes a cigar. Adults drink cocktails, wine, champagne, and beer.

Noah and Finn are engaged in active duty during World War II. There's a bomb rai

Words/phrases used include "damn," "crap," "goddammit," "son of a bitch," and "p

Any Positive Content?

The movie's ultimate message is that true love conquers all. But there are also

Predominantly White cast, with most Black characters shown in stereotypical role

Though it's romantic to watch characters fall in love so wholly and stay devoted

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Steamy passion between the two young lovers. Lots of making out and heavy petting. Characters undress in front of each other (only their shoulders are shown). A fairly graphic lovemaking scene (again, just shoulders visible, plus a brief glimpse of breast from the side).

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

A 17-year-old smokes a cigar. Adults drink cocktails, wine, champagne, and beer. Noah goes on a 10-day drinking binge. Characters drink in excess to ease pain or to lessen their inhibitions. Most meals are accompanied by alcohol.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

Noah and Finn are engaged in active duty during World War II. There's a bomb raid that incurs heavy losses. Allie nurses soldiers who've lost limbs. Noah stalks and pursues Allie; she repeatedly refuses him and says no, but he threatens self-harm until she consents to a date. Noah and Allie fight passionately—in multiple scenes, she hits and slaps him. Poignant deaths.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Words/phrases used include "damn," "crap," "goddammit," "son of a bitch," and "pain in the ass." The slur "darn squaw" is heard in a movie theater.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

The movie's ultimate message is that true love conquers all. But there are also less-positive takeaways and stereotypes; see more in Diverse Representations.

Diverse Representations

Predominantly White cast, with most Black characters shown in stereotypical roles (e.g., maid in a wealthy household, caretakers, entertainers). Neutral depictions also include Black couples dancing alongside White couples in a 1940s social club. Socioeconomic disparities are frequently highlighted between the working class (called "poor" and "trash") and the privileged (called "rich"). A movie theater scene shows a non-Native character in redface, and the phrase "darn squaw" can be heard.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Positive Role Models

Though it's romantic to watch characters fall in love so wholly and stay devoted to each other, some of the choices that the lovers make—like cheating on a relationship, resorting to domestic violence, and lying to family members—don't qualify as role model behavior.

Parents need to know that The Notebook is a World War II-era romantic drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes and based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. Scenes include passionate kissing and a fairly graphic lovemaking scene (though only shoulders and a side breast are shown). Characters drink and smoke; there's also brief battle violence and poignant deaths. Language includes "damn," "son of a bitch," "ass," and the slur "squaw." Iffy messages around romance include the portrayals of stalking, coercion, and domestic violence as simply "passion." The cast is predominantly White, while Black supporting characters fall into various clich és (e.g., a maid). To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

Parents say (35)
Kids say (107)

Based on 35 parent reviews

Enjoyed the movie; should be rated R.

How's nobody talking about the toxic relationships in this, what's the story.

THE NOTEBOOK is a story about a 1940s summer romance between Allie ( Rachel McAdams ), the daughter of wealthy parents, and Noah ( Ryan Gosling ), a working-class boy. They're crazy about each other, but her parents disapprove. When Allie goes to college, Noah writes to her every day, but Allie's mother ( Joan Allen ) withholds his letters. Believing neither have wanted to stay in touch, Allie and Noah go their separate ways as World War II ensues. When newly engaged Allie returns to their small town and sees Noah again, they soon realize their romance is far from over.

Is It Any Good?

In this sweeping drama, the details and dialogue are a bit clumsy, but romantics likely won't care. McAdams and Gosling are talented actors of their generation. James Garner , Gena Rowlands , Sam Shepard (as Noah's father), and Allen (as Allie's mother) also give the material more than it deserves, and director Nick Cassavetes clearly wants this film to be a love letter to Rowlands, his mother, who's luminous in this film. In the end, Noah's enduring love for Allie wins hearts.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how The Notebook depicts love and romance. Is this what a relationship is "supposed" to be like? Why, or why not?

How does the movie treat sex ? What are the real-life impacts and consequences of sexual activity?

How do we know who we're meant to be with? Who should we listen to as we think about making that choice?

Movie Details

In theaters : June 25, 2004
On DVD or streaming : February 7, 2005
Cast : James Garner , Rachel McAdams , Ryan Gosling
Director : Nick Cassavetes
Inclusion Information : Female actors
Studio : New Line
Genre : Romance
Run time : 124 minutes
MPAA rating : PG-13
MPAA explanation : some sexuality
Last updated : August 7, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

A Walk to Remember

Want personalized picks for your kids' age and interests?

Love Actually

Romance movies.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Cast & crew
User reviews

Metacritic reviews

The notebook.

80 Dallas Observer Luke Y. Thompson Dallas Observer Luke Y. Thompson If you're the sort who enjoys shedding such in darkened theaters, your must-see summer movie has arrived.
75 Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington May be corny, but it's also absorbing, sweet and powerfully acted. It's a film about falling in love and looking back on it, and it avoids many of the genre's syrupy dangers.
63 ReelViews James Berardinelli ReelViews James Berardinelli Sadly, the elements that made the book special did not survive the transition to the screen.
60 Variety Robert Koehler Variety Robert Koehler A determined and often affecting romance that doesn't speak down to audiences.
60 Village Voice Jessica Winter Village Voice Jessica Winter Amid the sticky-sweet swamp of Jeremy Leven's script, Rowlands and Garner emerge spotless and beatific, lending a magnanimous credibility to their scenes together. These two old pros slice cleanly through the thicket of sap-weeping dialogue and contrivance, locating the terror and desolation wrought by the cruel betrayals of a failing mind.
58 Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum You know what you want to see if you want to see The Notebook...You want to see girls in pretty 1940s dresses, soldiers in stirring World War II uniforms, handsome automobiles and equally handsome Southern landscapes. You want to see romance overcome adversity.
40 The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen Mercilessly plodding pacing, problematic character motivations and a fundamental lack of chemistry between the two star-crossed lovers in question don't do a lot to help its cause.
40 The A.V. Club Scott Tobias The A.V. Club Scott Tobias Opening shots tend to say a lot about a movie, but they say everything about The Notebook, a glossy adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' four-hanky sudser.
40 L.A. Weekly Ella Taylor L.A. Weekly Ella Taylor From the first soft piano that accompanies white geese flying toward a humongous orange sunset, The Notebook racks up the sugary clichés till youre screaming for mercy.
25 Rolling Stone Peter Travers Rolling Stone Peter Travers I have the same allergic reaction to this open faucet of tear-jerking swill as I do to the 1996 Nicholas Sparks novel that inspired it.
See all 34 reviews on Metacritic.com
See all external reviews for The Notebook

Movie Reviews

'the notebook': a grim fable of cruelty in wartime.

Ella Taylor

László Gyémánt and András Gyémánt star in The Notebook. Christian Berger/Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics hide caption

László Gyémánt and András Gyémánt star in The Notebook.

At first blush, the Hungarian film The Notebook (no relation, trust me, to that other Notebook ) seems to be gearing up as a standard World War II weepie with clumsy plotting. It's 1944; the war is almost done; a father returns home on leave; brief scenes of domestic bliss follow. Then, out of the blue, Dad (Ulrich Matthes), seemingly worried that his twin sons would be "too conspicuous in wartime," packs them off to live with their grandmother in the countryside. Handing them a notebook, he tells them to record everything that happens to them.

In short order and against the grain of its bucolic naturalism, The Notebook slyly morphs into a grim fable of progressive human degradation. Either that or, if you've read your Brothers Grimm, it's a Calvinist fairy tale of extreme character-building. Grandma (a terrific Piroska Molnar) turns out to be a lush, a nasty witch and possibly a poisoner. She calls the boys "bastards," sets them to work chopping wood, and withholds tender letters from their mother (Gyongyver Bognar). The Nazi officer billeted in her barn (Danish actor Ulrich Thomsen, from The Celebration ), who's either a predator or a protector, or both, proclaims himself the boys' "friend."

Joining forces with a village girl thief they call Hare Lip, the boys (played by twins Laszlo and Andras Gyemant) take on the hypocritical priest and his sexually abusive maid. They try to protect a kindly Jewish cobbler from a Nazi roundup. They bring food and blankets to an AWOL soldier.

Note that none of this is done out of fellow feeling. Note also that the handsome twins acquire a mean zombie stare to match their own increasingly savage behavior. They slap one another around, devise savage endurance tests for themselves, practice random acts of cruelty. Indeed, the boys seem to be fulfilling, in its purest form, the task allotted to every Grimm child: to toughen up in preparation for life's adversities in and out of wartime. Fear-based discipline, that's the ticket!

So what exactly is The Notebook, which is based on an acclaimed novel by Hungarian writer Agota Kristof and directed with panache by Janos Szasz? For sure, it's more than a picaresque wartime action adventure, or even a cautionary tale of Protestant spine-stiffening and abstract ethics. Maybe it's a parable of Freudian individuation and separation from mom and dad?

Possibly, but there's more to this than coming of age, though it may surprise you to learn who finally equips the boys with what they need to grow up and begin to live as adults. And that one of the boys walks over the corpse of a close relative whom the twins have essentially sent to that person's death.

Straddling nihilism and a moral fastidiousness so "pure" it flirts with the very fascism it means to critique, The Notebook cedes not one solitary inch to humanism. That is a time-honored strategy in the theater of cruelty, which is predicated on pushing an argument as far as it will go. It's a gambit that allows the artist to examine questions of good and evil without gumming up the works with easy sentimentality.

As moral and intellectual inquiry, though, it's also a blunt instrument that flattens crucial distinctions between degrees and kinds of wrongdoing. Should we equate Nazi genocide with the rape and beatings practiced by Russian liberators? Is innocence of its nature evil? Is the cruelty of children equivalent to that of adults?

If nothing else, The Notebook runs exuberantly counter to American melioration, optimism and the horticultural view of nurturant parenting that dominates our culture. Which may be why, in 2013, having made it to the long list of foreign language films up for an Oscar, the film stayed right there. I wouldn't bet on its prospects as mommy-blog click bait either.

‘The Notebook’ is a dumpster fire and I didn’t realize it 15 years ago

It was June 2004. I was a teenager so proud of the mascara stains that trailed my cheeks. They were proof that I didn’t just tear up; I cried so hard at "The Notebook." I felt invigorated, impassioned. I was alive!

And I was thereafter obsessed with the movie.

The Nicholas Sparks adaptation, a 1940s-set romance starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling as summer lovers with family income discrepancies, would go on to inspire my MySpace wallpaper, top my “favorite movies” list and become required viewing for my confused high-school boyfriends.

That was then.

Ahead of the drama's 15th anniversary on June 25, I decided to revisit the sob story now that I’m a less-hormonal 30. How would I like it?

It turns out, well, I would not. I would not like it at all.

Reader, I finally realized that “The Notebook” is a dangerous dumpster fire. I am embarrassed that I fell for a tale about a stalker who likes the way a girl looks on a carnival ride, and so he spends the rest of his life pining for her, despite not appreciating anything else about her.

How do I despise The Notebook? Let me count the ways.

Noah is a total creep

Remember Noah and Allie’s not-so-cute meeting?

He spots her at a carnival, where she’s laughing and crashing a bumper car, and instantly decides that she looks gorgeous and "free" and he must have her.

After she politely declines his overtures, he follows her onto a Ferris wheel and proceeds to dangle from the ride by one hand , threatening to slip unless Allie agrees to go on a date with him. She’s forced to say yes.

I'm forced to yell, "This is bull!" at my TV.

Once Allie and Noah get to talking, he insults her

When they finally do get together, Allie opens up about her "strict schedule" of tutoring and music lessons, and Noah makes her feel insecure about not being as "free" as he believed. He convinces her to loosen up, to "learn how to trust," and to lie on the street with him until they’re both almost run over by a car. She laughs, because, ha, they nearly died.

Ha. Ha. This is garbage that doesn't show how real, compatible humans fall in love. But the leads are so distractingly handsome, I didn't notice before.

Noah and Allie don't actually like each other when they're not sucking face

Noah and Allie spend a summer making out, yelling at each other for being annoying and learning that they have nothing in common. The closest thing they have to a real conversation is an inane chat about how if one if them had been a bird in another life, naturally, the other would’ve been, too.

They break up, but don’t mean it. Noah writes Allie letters for 365 days in a row that go unanswered, and in the years that follow, makes no friends and decides that the single thing he should do with his life is restore a house for a girl he can't stand.

In Allie’s titular notebook (from which this story is told via flashback with Gena Rowlands and James Garner as the elder Allie and Noah), she writes: “They didn’t agree on much. In fact, they rarely agreed on anything.”

Can we all agree that this is unhealthy? And, frankly, just bad storytelling?

Lon should be the hero of the story; instead he's the barrier

While Allie is at college, Noah-less, she volunteers as a nurse's aide and meets Lon (played by James Marsden), a charming man in a full body cast. Once Lon (miraculously) heals, Allie accepts his offer to go dancing without being threatened to do so. They embark on a relationship filled with mutual respect, admiration and fondness for one another. By the way, Lon is rich, which is depicted as a character flaw.

After they get engaged and Allie sees Noah’s photo in the paper, she tells Lon she must take care of something.

“Take your time," Lon says, comfortingly. "Do whatever you need to do.”

What Allie needs to do is visit Noah, sleep with him and swoon over him. That's before Noah starts yelling “What do you want?!” at her, and promising a future filled with fights.

"You tell me when I’m being an arrogant (S.O.B.) and I tell you when you’re being a pain in the (butt), which you are 99% of the time!” Noah shouts at her.

What an offer of lifelong bliss!

Meanwhile, Lon doesn’t raise his voice after learning of Allie's infidelity.

“In spite of everything, I love you,” he says. “But I don’t want to convince my fiancée that she should be with me.”

Now tell me: Why would Allie choose Noah over Lon?

Probably because she confuses security with boredom, and mistakes verbal abuse for passion. Also: She thinks that the fact that she no longer paints is an indicator that she's unhappy in her relationship. Really, it might be an indicator that she doesn't actually like to paint.

'The Notebook' is bad but its messaging is worse

Hiding a shallow love story behind attractive actors isn't itself terribly negligent. But the movie does far worse than that.

It doesn't help that the film is tainted by recent news about its novelist. Sparks has been in headlines for sending and then apologizing for past emails that object to “an agenda that strives to make homosexuality open and accepted."

But even on its own, "The Notebook" teaches impressionable young women that they ought to be pursued by men who see them as prey. (Noah literally says this about Allie: "When I see something that I like, well ... I go crazy for it.")

Essentially, the film romanticizes toxic relationships and promulgates an unhealthy culture of jerk worship. My teenage self deserved better.

I must admit, the geriatric scenes still get me

Full disclosure: I still teared up at the scenes where old Noah insists on reading to old Allie, who has dementia and little chance of remembering him. Darn it, that is romantic!

But as for the rest of the movie, well, I’ll say this: It still did make me feel a lot, like it did the first time. It's just that this time, I understood my emotions as anger.

The Notebook Review

25 Jun 2004

124 minutes

Notebook, The

Following the tradition of Fried Green Tomatoes, this romantic weepy relates a tale in the hope that its modern-day protagonists ù who may well have played a part in the story themselves - will be better for hearing it.

But, on film at least, this story might have been better without its modern-day protagonists, played by James Garner and Gena Rowlands (Cassavetes' mother). Garner's narration smacks of greeting-card sentiment and the Alzheimer's storyline, in which Rowlands' character has lost her memory, is oversimplified.

Thank goodness, then, for the magic created by young stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, whose intense romance is played out with conviction and an infectious joie de vivre. Little in their journey is unexpected: you're waiting for the obstacle (after all, what self-respecting young lady in the 1940s would have been seen without two handsome suitors to compete over her?), and the solution is not hard to spot, either.

But thanks to delightful characters, careful pacing and a stirring score, this film achieves the distinction of being exceptionally moving without anyone major having to die.

Movies | 15 08 2024

Movies | 18 04 2016

Jackie Chan Will Be The Foreigner In A New Action Thriller

Movies | 07 06 2015

Movies | 02 02 2010

Movies | 09 09 2008

Movies | 02 09 2004

Review: The Notebook – A Familiar, Heartbreaking Love Story

The notebook review.

Talking about The Notebook is a bit like talking about Titanic or The Princess Bride . Everyone has heard of it and usually has strong opinions about it. So I approach this review with a certain amount of caution and respect for that fact. The Notebook is also the Nicholas Sparks film that seems to appeal even to those who do not like his style of romance. I am one of those people. So without further ado, here is my review.

An old man, Duke, reads from a notebook to a fellow care home resident every day who does not seem to know him very well. It is the story of Noah, a young working class man who sees Allie, a young woman from a well-to-do family at a carnival. Immediately taken with her, he sets out to win her over. Though initially scornful of his attentions, she finds herself beginning to fall for him. The world, however, does not seem content to let them be. In the form of disapproving parents, love rivals and illness it seeks to tear them apart.

Starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling pre-fame, with James Garner and Gena Rowlands playing the older couple, there is a fair amount of talent in this movie. James Marsden is winning as the alternative love interest whom, for once, is not hopelessly flawed to make the heroine’s choice easier. McAdams and Gosling play their roles with passion and intensity that really bring the film to life. Garner and Rowlands are more quietly heart-breaking, with the confidence that comes from decades in the industry. Commendation goes to Joan Allen for making a character that should have been wholly unlikable, utterly sympathetic.

The Notebook is a gloriously vibrant period drama and this is nowhere more obvious than in its visuals. The costumes take full advantage of the colors available during the time period and the glamour of Allie’s social class. There are also many scenes which are visually stunning like the scene when Noah rows Allie out into the middle of the lake. The music is also emotional and fast paced when it needs to be, using well beloved popular music from the time period.

OVERALL RATING

“The stuff that dreams are made of.”

ROMANCE RATING

You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope.

I have loved none but you.”

ARE YOU A ROMANCE FAN? FOLLOW THE SILVER PETTICOAT REVIEW:

Elinor is a writer and semi-recent graduate of English and Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University. She has been writing ever since she could hold a pen but her love affair with fiction started when the entirety of David Eddings’ 'The Belgariad' was read to her at age four. She currently has a couple of books and half a dozen short stories on the go. She spends her free time writing, analysing media and knitting very colourful scarves.

The Notebook: 7+ Thoughts I Had While Rewatching The Ryan Gosling And Rachel McAdams Movie

If you're a bird, I'm a bird.

Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling in The Notebook

The Notebook is one of the best romantic movies of all time. It’s a beautiful tale of an unbreakable love story between people of different social classes. On paper, they would never work. However, their love is powerful enough to break any barriers that stand in their way. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams star as Noah and Allie, the main protagonists of this love story.

I wouldn’t say The Notebook ranks in my top 5 favorite romantic movies of all time, but it’s definitely in the top 20. The undeniable chemistry between Gosling and McAdams makes it a must-watch for all romance movie fans. Because I haven’t seen a romantic movie that I’ve really loved in a while, I decided to revisit some of my favorite movie romances, and that included a rewatching of The Notebook. I have some thoughts.

Warning The Notebook spoilers ahead. Proceed with caution.

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in The Notebook

Ryan Gosling And Rachel McAdams Give Some OF Their Best Performances In The Notebook

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are both really good actors. I would even argue that Gosling is one of the best actors who hasn’t won an Oscar. While rewatching The Notebook , I couldn’t help but be even more convinced of this opinion. Gosling and McAdams completely convince us that they’re in love. Not only that, you see how much they put into these performances.

In the scene where Noah hears Allie’s parents calling him trash, how can your heart not break watching Noah react to it? In the scene where Allie pretends to be a bird, how can you not feel her joy? You feel all of these characters’ emotions because McAdams, Gosling, and the entire cast give really strong performances.

For two-plus hours, Gosling becomes Noah and McAdams becomes Allie. I’ve seen many Rachel McAdams movies and many Ryan Gosling movies and Allie and Noah are some of their most beloved characters because of how good they are in these roles. The Notebook is one of the best Rachel McAdams movies and one of the best Ryan Gosling movies . They’re both really outstanding in this film.

The Costumes And Makeup Departments Are The MVPs Of This Movie

The Notebook starts with Allie and Noah as teens, then ends with them as older adults. At some point, they’re in their mid-20s. The oldest versions of Allie and Noah are played by James Garner and Gena Rowlands. The rest of the ages are played by Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling. They completely convince you that they’re teens at the start of the movie. This is partly because of their acting skills, and partly because of the makeup department.

CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER

Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

They tone back the makeup with McAdams to give her a fresh face to portray teen Allie. Clean-shaven Ryan Gosling looks like a teen. Once he has facial hair, he becomes an adult Noah who has seen some things. As Allie ages, more makeup appears to be added, which makes her look older and more sophisticated. The makeup is really subtle but completely transforms these characters.

The 1940s fashion is really gorgeous in The Notebook. Every one of Allie’s outfits, I would love to steal. They’re just so fabulous. The costume designers also use the clothes in very interesting ways. I noticed that the outfit that Allie and Noah wear when they meet, mimics the clothing that they’re wearing as older adults, at least in terms of colors. The Notebook is one of those movies where it’s clear that multiple elements, including costumes and makeup, work in harmony to make this such a memorable film.

The Notebook Breakup Scene Is One of The Best In History

Thankfully, The Notebook isn’t one of the great breakup movies , because that would totally ruin the vibe of the film. However, the film has one of the greatest movie breakup scenes. Many adore The Notebook because of all the major declarations of love, the steamy sex scene, and the enticing chemistry between the lead characters. I love all those things as well, but I also really like the main breakup scene.

It starts with Noah having his heart broken by hearing what Allie’s parents think of him. Then it leads to him ending it. We see every emotion in that scene, from anger to desperation to confusion to fear to hopelessness. It’s brilliant. Then we see parallel elements of that scene in the part where Noah fights for them to be together, but Allie doesn’t want to break Lon’s ( James Marsden ) heart.

The Notebook breakup scene just feels so realistic and raw.

Rachael McAdams and Ryan Gosling in The Notebook

The Drama And Romance Always Sweeps Me Away

Until rewatching The Notebook , I didn’t realize how much the film engulfs you. The two-plus hours pass fast because I’m so drawn into this story and this world. I know what is going to happen, but I can’t look away. It’s one of those rare films that really takes hold of you from start to finish. You feel all their emotions, you suspend reality and reason, and you let your hopeless romantic side thrive.

Like Allie and Noah’s love story, The Notebook can be all-consuming.

James Marsden and Rachel McAdams in The Notebook

I Can’t Help But Feel Bad For Lon

Lon joins the list of movie boyfriends involved in a love triangle who do nothing wrong but just aren’t the right guy. Sometimes the other guy in these types of movies sucks. Lon is not one of those guys. Allie not only cheats on him, but she does it while completely forgetting about him for days. According to my calculation, Allie and Noah only dated for a few months (before getting married and starting their life together), but she dated Lon for at least three years before completely dumping him.

Even if you love Allie and Noah together, you kind of have to think that they were quite terrible for how they treated their exes. At least poor Martha (Jamie Brown) could see their romance as a window of what could be for her. We don’t even completely get Lon’s reaction to the breakup.

For all we know, the Allie breakup could have been Lon’s villain origin story. I know that viewers aren’t supposed to hate Allie and Noah, because we’re supposed to view this all as them being so in love that they would always only want each other. However, love shouldn’t be an excuse to just cheat and neglect your fiancé.

James Garner and Gena Rowlands in The Notebook

Is The Notebook Ending Tragic Or Happy?

When I originally saw The Notebook , I considered it a happy ending. They were able to live their lives together and even leave the world together. However, watching it again, I couldn’t help but wonder if this isn’t exactly a happy ending. Yes, they got to die together, but it’s pretty terrible that they reached the stage in their life where their bodies began to betray them. That’s part of life and aging, but it’s also a pretty downer way to end a love story. Realistic? Probably? Downer? Absolutely.

The sadness of The Notebook ending makes it easy to see why some versions don’t show it. It’s definitely a happy ending that they got to live a full life together and were able to leave the world together. The tragedy comes with the whole aging process and how it can disrupt even a beautiful love story, even if only temporarily.

Other Thoughts

The Notebook rewatch sparked so many thoughts, some silly, some profound, and more just ramblings. Here are my other thoughts.

I think I just really love period piece love stories. Something about them makes everything more tragic and heightened.
The Notebook really has a thing for birds. I’m assuming they’re a metaphor for Allie feeling caged by parents, and society, but finally being able to fly free at the end.
I love writing letters, but even I find the idea of 365 letters kind of tedious.
I had completely erased the war part of The Notebook from my memory. It’s so quick that it’s barely in there.
I would love a prequel about Allie’s mom and her ex. Basically, Noah and Allie, but one that doesn’t work out.
The Notebook has so many great quotes.
Rachel McAdams’ lungs must have hurt with all the random screaming moments in the movie.

You can find The Notebook and plenty of other great romance movies on HBO Max .

Stream The Notebook on HBO Max .

Spent most of my life in various parts of Illinois, including attending college in Evanston. I have been a life long lover of pop culture, especially television, turned that passion into writing about all things entertainment related. When I'm not writing about pop culture, I can be found channeling Gordon Ramsay by kicking people out the kitchen.

After Rob Lowe Said He’d Like Zac Efron To Play Him In A Biopic, His Son John Owen Shared Some Thoughts

32 Movies That Came Out At The Wrong Time

‘Come Back As What?’: Robert Downey Jr. Explains His Decision To Return To The MCU As Doctor Doom

‘The Notebook’ Remains One of the Most Heartbreaking Movies on Dementia

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

The Big Picture

The Notebook portrays the impact of dementia on relationships sensitively and emotionally.
Allie's Alzheimer's diagnosis highlights the fragility of life and the power of love.
Noah's unwavering hope and love despite Allie's memory loss is portrayed as a poignant message.

“It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” While this usually relates to the physical loss of someone, it can just as easily fit for the distressing condition of dementia. The Notebook ’s Allie Hamilton ( Rachel McAdams ) may not have lost Noah ( Ryan Gosling ), but she lost the memory of him, and maybe that’s not all too different. When the adaptation of Nicholas Sparks ’ best-selling novel hit the big screen in 2004, it wasn’t long before it was dubbed the next big romance. After all, what says romance better than lovers embracing in the pouring rain? (Minus the drowned rat look, of course). Alongside some of the most iconic scenes of this movie including Ryan Gosling talking about how many letters he's written over the years and Rachel McAdams saying she's a bird, The Notebook 's deeply affecting portrayal of dementia still stands out to this day .

Today, there are several on-screen depictions of dementia, the most recent of which is The Father . Filmed in such a way that the viewer experiences much of the same confusion as someone living with this condition, it quickly garnered praise. And Anthony Hopkins even picked up the ultimate accolade — the Oscar — for his portrayal. Yet, while there has been plenty of material that has given us a good insight into the day-to-day reality for sufferers and their families, The Notebook gave us something different . And coming out in 2004, it was one of the first movies that delved into the topic.

The Notebook

Adapted from Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name, The Notebook is a romantic drama film that follows a couple who fall in love during the 1940s. Duke, an older man, recounts the story of two young lovers whose lives never lined up quite right to a fellow patient in his nursing home. Reading from the notebook pages, the movie keeps flashing from the present into the past to tell the story of the one that got away.

'The Notebook' Showcases the Hardships of Maintaining a Relationship After An Alzheimer's Diagnosis

Directed by Nick Cassavetes , The Notebook is a classic boy meets girl tale. Falling in love as teenagers, the headstrong rich girl Allie, and the poor boy with a heart of gold, Noah, are instantly inseparable. Despite coming from opposite worlds and having Allie's family constantly barging in on their relationship, the young couple fought the odds head-first. Even when Allie was set to marry someone else who seemed to check off the boxes in her parents' criteria, it took the character one glance at the newspaper to have her feelings for Noah return in full force. After the two reconnect later in life, it becomes clear that nothing can prevent them from being together .

Although their rekindled relationship seven years after their early romance feels like a happily ever after, the present proves to be a much different reality. When McAdams and Gosling aren't sharing a passionate kiss in the rain, there is another couple audiences see: the aged-up versions of Allie and Noah . We soon discover that Allie ( Gena Rowlands ) now has Alzheimer’s and lives in a senior care center, where she is constantly being assisted by caretakers. Every day, Noah ( James Garner ), now known as Duke, reads to her from a notebook that ultimately tells the story of their love. Yet, given Allie's condition, she perceives the story as merely fiction. A beautiful tale of two soulmates finding their way back to each other. Despite being told repeatedly by doctors that Allie just won’t remember what they went through, Noah never gives up hope . “Science goes only so far, then comes God,” he argues.

The Nicholas Sparks Adaptation Allows Allie the Opportunity To Be Perceived Beyond Her Condition

Seeing this deeply affecting condition played out before our eyes is bound to be heartbreaking in any way. Yet, there is something even more moving about seeing it interspersed with joyful youth. The audience gets to see the full life this woman led , aside from the difficulties she is facing with memory loss. Her love, her talents, and her ambition were at once what made up her existence, and that is something that is rarely seen in other films that portray life with Alzheimer's. The juxtaposition, from a fun-loving Allie frolicking in the expansive sea to a woman trapped by her own mind, is a sobering reminder of the fragility of life. While in one's youth, it seems like there is so much left to do in the future, in the elderly stages, it might be harder to seize the moment.

When Noah sits down at the table opposite Allie to read to her, she simply sees a man that she doesn't really know, keeping her company with a heartfelt narrative. She doesn’t see everything he represents – her first love, her first breakup, and her hard-fought love story. When she says, “I think I’ve heard this before,” we see a glimmer of memory breaking through, it doesn't occur to her that the reason why that story is so familiar is that she lived it. The audience knows that this is actually her journey through clues sprinkled throughout the film. When observing the cover of the notebook that Noah is reading from, there is a phrase saying, "Read this to me & I’ll come back to you," inscribed under the title, “The Story of Our Lives.” By putting two and two together, viewers understand that the series of events that are presented through flashbacks are actually memories that Noah still holds onto and that Allie has unfortunately forgotten about because of her illness.

While forgetting her one true love may seem the worst fate, we soon find out it gets worse, as she has children, who are now all grown up. On a visit to see the mother who no longer knows them, they introduce themselves as Duke’s children to not confuse her further. Some of them also have kids of their own, which means that Allie isn't aware of her own grandchildren either. Watching this scene unfold is heartbreaking because it is noticeable that her adult children visit her regularly and must constantly pretend that they are meeting with her for the first time so that Allie doesn't get overwhelmed. It is also sad to see that in losing one parent, they have lost another since Noah lives in the facility with her, reading the notebook in the hopes that she will remember the life that they had as a couple.

When Allie Remembers Noah, It Is Gut-Wrenching Because She Forgets Him Shortly After

Gena Rowlands slow dancing with James Garner in a scene from 'The Notebook'.

One of the film's most upsetting scenes comes when Allie remembers Noah. “It was us!” she tearfully exclaims over a candlelit dinner. Sweeping Allie up in a strong embrace, he tells her they may only have five minutes together before she forgets again. It is in this scene that we see why Noah hasn’t given up the fight. He is living for these small yet magical moments when she remembers him . His determination on a daily basis is to do what he can for her to be her old self again, even if it is for a short amount of time. Different from the other people roaming around the halls of the senior home, Noah had a lifetime's worth of romance and partnership with the woman that he loved, and being without her just didn't seem to be an option for him . Although she is only aware of who he is for about five minutes, it is enough for them to go back to the couple they once were, dancing and holding onto each other tenderly.

Shortly after Allie's memory comes back, she forgets about him, and, in doing so, she fears that the stranger by her side isn't a good person . It is because of her inability to remember that things soon turn sour when she snaps at him for calling her darling. It’s not long before the staff comes rushing in to restrain the agitated Allie while Noah weeps at the sight of his loved one panicking about being with him. If an audience member hasn't shed a tear through the film, this moment will surely lead to a sob.

Although The Notebook received some criticism for its highly romanticized vision of dementia and caregiving, it still carries with it an important message about the power of unconditional love and unwavering hope . It shows a man giving his life to another in the purest of ways and a woman who lived a full life and gave her love freely. And, although she may not remember it, she provided beautiful memories for others in her presence, and at the end of the day, perhaps that’s what counts most.

The Notebook is available to rent on Prime Video in the US.

Watch on Prime Video

Movie Features
Ryan Gosling
Rachel McAdams

Get news & reviews in your inbox

Prime Video
Documentary
Producers Corner
Watch Lists
More Than A Movie Night
It’s Dove Approved – Family Movie Trivia Game
Dove Ratings
Privacy Policy

The Notebook

Dove review.

Allie’s husband demonstrates a life-long commitment to his spouse “in sickness or in health.” He never leaves her side, and his unfailing devotion and love for her is an inspiring portrait of marriage. The film did unfortunately contain an intimate sex scene between a man and woman outside of the context of marriage. There is some crude language and profanity, but it is moderate compared to many PG-13 films. The overall moral content of the film is less than admirable but is also comparatively mild.

Dove Rating Details

More information, film information, dove content.

Faith Film Producer DeVon Franklin Steps in Front of the Camera for ‘Jesus Revolution’

Cyrano: Love is a Verb

Redeeming Love: Grace Rising Up Out of the Dirt

Filmmakers Highlight the Hope and Heroism in “Gi...

Screen Rant

The notebook ending explained: alternate streaming version, noah & allie's fate.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Is The Notebook Based On A True Story?

Jake gyllenhaal's $52.3m action movie lands on netflix's global chart 2 years later, alien: romulus director confirms the father of kay’s baby (& how the movie reveals it).

Noah's dedication to his wife Allie led him to work to help her remember their love story, creating moments of clarity amidst her dementia.
The alternate ending of The Notebook on Netflix UK was more ambiguous, skipping over Noah and Allie's deaths, leaving it open to interpretation.
Noah and Allie's final miracle in The Notebook was choosing to pass away together, symbolized by the flock of birds flying off into eternity.

The Notebook ending saw Allie and Noah get their happily ever after - though Netflix's alternate ending tells a slightly different story. The movie follows Noah who lives in a facility with his wife Allie who has dementia. Hoping to help her memory, Noah reads to her from the titular notebook the pair created before Allie's dementia took hold. The doctors said the efforts to restore her memory were futile, but Noah's devotion to his wife meant he never gave up. Ultimately, Noah proved that he could make Allie temporarily remember so long as he kept reading to her.

Noah, who goes by Duke , told her the story as if it were about a fictional couple - detailing how these two teenagers shared a summer romance that grew into so much more. Older Allie learned through this tale how dedicated Noah had been, writing her letters every day for a year when they were separated and spending years fixing up the house he had promised for her. Finally, at the end of The Notebook , Allie remembered the rest of their story. The couple had some final moments of clarity together before choosing how they wanted their tale to end.

George Clooney revealed he and Paul Newman were attached as young and old Noah, respectively, at one point in The Notebook 's development.

James Garner as Noah and Gena Rowlands as Noah and Allie sitting on a bench in The Notebook

The 2000s movie The Notebook is known for its sad, romantic plot, and Nicholas Sparks was motivated to write his popular novel based on a real couple.

What Happens In The Notebook’s Ending?

The bittersweet ending finds allie and noah sharing one last memory together.

The movie ends in the present-day timeline of The Notebook and Allie remembers that she and Noah were the characters from the titular notebook's story . Unfortunately, this clarity only lasted a short time, and she returned to the agitated and confused state that her dementia held her in. This led to a heartbreaking scene in which Allie had to be sedated, a sight so upsetting that it caused Noah to have a heart attack.

He survived, and though he was placed in a different room from his wife, he didn't want to be apart so he snuck into Allie's hospital room and woke her up. Upon seeing him there, Allie remembered who she was and was distressed at the idea of forgetting Noah all over again. Together in Allie's hospital bed, the pair comforted each other, and Allie asked Noah whether he believed their love could create miracles, further elaborating that she wanted their love to allow them to pass together.

Noah stated that he thought it could, and, holding one another, they drifted off to sleep. In one of the final scenes, a nurse enters the hospital room and finds the two together. Though she never spoke, her shock after touching their hands indicated that they had passed away together in the night, just as they had hoped .

The Notebook's Alternate Streaming Ending Differences Explained

The alternate ending was more ambiguous.

Birds flying away in the alternate ending of The Notebook

The scene in which the nurse finds Noah and Allie's bodies is the film's emotional high point. However, there is an alternate version of The Notebook that cuts it out completely. In 2019, Netflix UK began streaming The Notebook , but this version skipped over Noah and Allie's deaths and instead ended with a flock of birds flying over a lake . The pair never made their promise to " go " together, and a nurse never found their embracing bodies. Instead, it's simply implied that Noah and Allie chose to die together, leaving The Notebook 's ending much more ambiguous and confusing.

Netflix UK was as surprised as everyone else about the alternate ending of The Notebook. The streaming platform released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) explaining that they had not edited the film's ending, and the alternate version was simply the cut that they had been supplied . Shortly after, Netflix replaced this version, which was likely edited per a different country's requirements, with the official cut.

Why Noah Died At The End Of The Notebook (Was He Sick Too?)

Noah's death cemented his connection to allie.

Ryan Gosling; Rachel McAdams; Gena Rowlands; James Garner

Though the official ending of The Notebook is considerably less confusing than Netflix UK's accidental alternate one, there are still some questions left unanswered. Neither Noah nor Allie seemed anywhere near death for the entire movie, yet they both passed away. This makes more sense for Allie since dementia is a fatal disease. However, Noah had been told by the facility's doctor that he seemed as healthy as a horse .

In fact, the doctor and Noah's children were confused about why he would choose to live there when he did not need a high level of care. The death of Noah in The Notebook could be the result of his heart attack, but it was seen to be a minor one, and he was able to recover fully. This implies that when he entered Allie's room, he was in no danger of passing away.

Still, the heart attack and Allie's meltdown brought the realization that it was only a matter of time before one of them could go no further. So, they counted on destiny to take them away together. Noah wasn't ill and likely would have lived longer than Allie, but he chose never to be apart from her .

Does Allie Remember Noah In The Notebook's Ending?

Noah went to allie knowing she would remember him.

It took days of reading before Noah could make Allie remember him. When she finally had her moment of clarity, the couple only had a short time of dancing, kissing, and talking before Allie again forgot and became distressed that a supposed stranger was touching her. Noah revealed in this scene that the last time she had remembered, it had also lasted for only a few minutes.

This implies that Noah had done this multiple times before, which only adds to the tragedy of their story. It's clear that the man felt that days of patiently reading to Allie were worth the few lucid moments he would have with her. However, the night that he entered Allie's room at the end of The Notebook was different. Noah was sure that Allie would still remember him despite his episode and he was right .

Without any fear that she might not remember him and become distressed, Noah woke her up. She immediately knew exactly who he was, and they both did their best to absorb this time with one another. In her rare moment of clarity, Allie knew—just as Noah had known all along—that she couldn't stand to be without him again.

Noah & Allie's Death Was Their Final 'Miracle' In The Notebook

Their ending matches the couple's ability to choose their path together.

James Garner as Duke/Older Noah and Gena Rowlands as OIder Allie in The Notebook

The idea of miracles held a lot of weight in The Notebook . Noah and Allie's romance centralized the fact that they never should have found one another. They had drastically different backgrounds and the fact that they spent years apart, living separate lives, just for Allie to see Noah in the paper before her wedding was a massive bit of luck. Despite all the aspects of their lives that should have pushed them apart, they stayed devoted to one another.

This is part of what made Noah believe that he could work a miracle and bring Allie back from her foggy world of dementia. However, this wasn't the couple's true miracle. If Noah and Allie hadn't died together, one of two things might have happened. Either Allie would have passed away first from complications related to dementia, or Noah would have had another, this time fatal, heart attack.

If the former were true, Noah would have to watch his wife slowly slip away from him for good until she could no longer be pulled back by the story from his notebook. If Noah had died first, Allie would have been left alone in her confusion without the only person capable of reminding her who she was. Neither was an option for this pair. Since neither Allie nor Noah was fatally ill at that moment, they needed a miracle if they hoped to pass away together .

[They] had seen throughout their lives together that their love was strong enough to allow them to choose .

This shouldn't have been possible, but since they both believed and had seen throughout their lives together that their love was strong enough to allow them to choose, their faith was rewarded. Their final miracle allowed them to lay down together, safe, warm, and lucid, and pass away peacefully.

The Real Meaning Of The Notebook's Final Bird Scene Explained

Birds symbolize allie and noah being together forever.

Birds were a constant presence throughout The Notebook 's story . When they were teenagers, Allie declared she was a bird—a free spirit that could fly away and experience the world however she chose. Noah responded with the famous line, " If you're a bird, I'm a bird ," indicating that wherever she went, he would follow.

Later, when Allie came to Seabrook after seeing Noah in the paper, he took her out to see a flock of geese who were supposed to have migrated away. He stated that the beautiful birds were only there temporarily and would eventually return to where they had come from—just like Allie.

Finally, in both versions of The Notebook 's ending, a flock of birds flies toward the horizon. Just as they had throughout the film, these beings represented Allie and Noah. The moment, that immediately followed the reveal that the couple had died together, demonstrated that the pair was still together. If Allie was a bird, so was Noah, and they would fly together for all eternity as a reward for their steadfast love.

How The Notebook Ending Was Received

The notebook's ending has cemented its legacy in its genre.

While the overall romance the movie presents captured the audience's attention, The Notebook ending is what helped it become one of the most iconic love stories in movie history . The final moments of the movie take the audience on an incredible ride of emotions that sets up such a powerful conclusion. There is the reveal of the clever twist that this old couple is actually Allie and Noah, the heartbreaking moment of realizing how Allie's illness has robbed them of such much, and the bittersweet finale of them dying in each other's arms.

The Notebook has earned a reputation for having one of the movie endings most likely to make the audience cry . It is impressive that so much of the movie was seeing Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling play out this epic love story, only for the movie to switch to James Garner and Gena Rowlands to deliver the most emotional aspects of the story. While it is a sad ending to experience, The Notebook pulls it off expertly and has allowed the movie to earn a legacy it never could have achieved with a different ending.

The Notebook

Not available

The Notebook

Reviewed by: Chris Monroe STAFF WRITER


Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Genre:
Length:
Year of Release:
USA Release:

TRUE LOVE —What is true love and how do you know when you have found it? Answer

Featuring	, , , ,
Director
Producer
Distributor	, division of Warner Bros. Pictures

“T he Notebook” is an overwhelmingly romantic love story exemplifying the marriage vow to love your spouse “in sickness and health, ’til death do us part.” This extraordinarily sweet account of two people who truly love each other is virtually outdone by the power of the love they share. But seeing their experience is like hearing a song that we already know and love, and don’t mind hearing it again, especially when it is sung so well. In this performance, we hear every note and enjoy each moment.

Set in modern times with flashbacks to the 1940s, “Duke” (James Garner) reads the story of The Notebook to an ailing woman, Mrs. Hamilton ( Gena Rowlands ), telling her the story of two young lovers, Noah ( Ryan Gosling ) and Allie ( Rachel McAdams ). This young love begins as a summer affair and seems to end that dreadful day Allie has to move away for school. With no communication for years, both Noah and Allie move on with their lives. But just before Allie marries another man, Lon ( James Marsden ), she meets with Noah one more time to discover what they both have always believed.

Unlike most love stories we may see in films today, this story takes us beyond the mere beginning of a true love and takes us all the way to how it ends. And while we may know of many marriages that end prematurely in divorce , the one celebrated here expresses just how two people can stay committed to each other their whole lives, no matter what. It is a beautiful story that clearly affirms marriage, love and lifelong commitment between a man and a woman.

This movie shows that, as with any romantic relationship, things don’t always go perfectly. Noah and Allie don’t hit it off right away; in fact, in the beginning she rejects him, but he keeps after her. Allie’s parents also do not approve of Noah because he is “from the other side of the tracks” and doesn’t have prospects to be rich or upper class. This factor also does not stop them. Their relationship is also tested once Allie moves away for school and they each find themselves in other relationships, but, again, it doesn’t end. Finally, it is tested by a heartbreaking sickness, but still, even this cannot destroy their love.

Viewers should know that there are a couple of steamy scenes between Noah and Allie when they are falling in love. The first one involves them at an old abandoned house where they take off their clothes and begin to have sex. Due to anxiety, Allie, humorously, keeps talking and they do not go through with it. Later, however, the two of them do have sex. While the scene refrains from nudity (for the most part) it is pretty uninhibited. (See what director Nick Cassavetes says about these moments in our interview with him.) In another scene, we see Noah in bed with another girl, implying that they have slept together. He is not in love with her, which he realizes, and is only with her because he thinks he will not have Allie again. There are also a few swear words throughout the movie, with at least one instance of God’s name used in vain.

The chemistry between Gosling and McAdams isn’t the only strength to this stellar production. Director Nick Cassavetes has employed extensive talent in all areas of this film, including his own mother, Gena Rowlands , as one of the lead characters. Jeremy Leven admitted to changing some of the book in order to adapt it into a screenplay, but he seems to have honestly captured the spirit of the book by Nicholas Sparks, author of other movie-adapted novels as Message In A Bottle and A Walk to Remember. Dialog, as well as costumes, lighting, and cinematography, too, all make it a very enjoyable, pleasant experience.

With a depiction of a love so strong, so enduring and so everlasting, it is difficult not to think of it in light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His love, like the one honored in this film, is one that will never die. And He loves us unconditionally, desiring us to know him personally and intimately, and not only in this life, but for eternity. Our Earthly romances may never be as ideal as Noah and Allie’s, but there is a perfect love always being offered to us from God through His beloved Son.

This film can easily resonate with older couples who have been together for many, many years, and, hopefully, also inspire this current generation of young people. If you’ve ever wanted to support a movie that respectfully affirms and values true love, then be encouraged to see “The Notebook.”

Violence: None / Profanity: Mild / Sex/Nudity: Moderate

Also available: INTERVIEWS with the cast and director of “The Notebook”

Young people

Best Gena Rowlands movies to stream based on reviews

Gena Rowlands at the Hysterical Blindness premiere

Gena Rowlands, a celebrated actress with a career spanning over six decades, is best known for her compelling performances in a series of films that have left a mark on American cinema.

As previously reported on Monsters and Critics, Rowlands died at 94 .

Her collaborations with her husband, the acclaimed independent filmmaker John Cassavetes, resulted in some of their era’s most powerful and critically acclaimed films.

Following her death, many film watchers are wondering which of her films to stream.

Below is a ranking of five of Rowlands’ best movies based on their critical acclaim and lasting impact on film history.

Gena Rowlands’ best movies to watch

A Woman Under the Influence (1974) is often regarded as Rowlands’ most iconic role; the movie profoundly explores mental illness and domestic life.

Directed by John Cassavetes, the film stars Rowlands as Mabel Longhetti, a housewife whose mental instability strains her marriage and family life. Rowlands’ performance was universally praised for its raw intensity and emotional depth, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

The film itself is considered a masterpiece of independent cinema, showcasing the power of character-driven storytelling. Critics have consistently lauded Rowlands’ portrayal as one of the greatest performances in film history, cementing her legacy as an actress who was unafraid to tackle challenging and complex roles. On Rotten Tomatoes , the movie has an audience score of 91 percent and a critical rating of 89 percent.

In the 1980 movie Gloria, Rowlands played a tough, street-smart woman who became the reluctant guardian of a young boy targeted by the mob. Directed by Cassavetes, the film allowed Rowlands to showcase her versatility as an actress, balancing moments of tenderness with fierce, action-packed sequences.

Her portrayal of Gloria earned her a second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The film has been praised for its unconventional approach to the crime thriller genre, with Rowlands’ performance being a standout element that elevates the entire production. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a 93 percent critical review score with a 79 percent audience rating.

In the 1977 movie Opening Night, Rowlands delivers a stunning performance as Myrtle Gordon, an aging actress struggling with the realities of growing older while preparing for a new stage role. The film, another collaboration with Cassavetes, delves into identity, fame, and mortality themes. Rowlands’ portrayal of Myrtle is deeply nuanced, capturing the character’s vulnerability and desperation with remarkable authenticity.

Although not as commercially successful as some of her other films, Opening Night has gained critical recognition over the years and is considered one of Rowlands’ finest performances. Rotten Tomatoes delivered a 96 percent score from critics and 90 percent from the audience rating.

The 1984 movie Love Streams is a poignant exploration of familial love and the complexities of human relationships. Rowlands stars alongside Cassavetes, who also directed the film, playing siblings grappling with their emotional turmoil and life’s uncertainties.

Rowlands’ tender and heartbreaking performance embodies the film’s exploration of love in all its forms.

The film was Cassavetes’ final directorial work before his death, and it stands as a testament to the creative synergy between him and Rowlands. Critics have praised the film’s emotional depth and the powerful chemistry between its two leads. It has a 100 percent certified fresh score with an 88 percent audience rating.

The Notebook is a cult classic despite mixed reviews

In one of her later roles, Rowlands starred in The Notebook , directed by her son Nick Cassavetes. The film, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, tells the story of a romance that transcends time and memory. Rowlands plays the older version of Allie Hamilton, a woman who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Her portrayal adds emotional weight to the film, particularly in the scenes where her character struggles with losing her memories. The Notebook was a commercial success and introduced Rowlands to a new generation of filmgoers, solidifying her status as a beloved figure in cinema. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie received a mixed 54 percent rating from critics but a strong 85 percent from the audience score.

‘Love Streams’ wasn’t John Cassavetes’ final directorial work. He made ‘Big Trouble’ with Peter Falk in 1986. ‘Love Streams’ was his final film with Gena, but hardly his last.

Though her exact cause of death has not yet been shared, Nick, 65, revealed his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in June while celebrating the 20th anniversary of “The Notebook,” in which her character, Allie, develops the progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.

“I got my mom to play older Allie, and we spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer’s and wanting to be authentic with it, and now, for the last five years, she’s had Alzheimer’s,” shared Nick, whose maternal grandmother, actress Lady Rowlands, also suffered from the disease.

“She’s in full dementia, and it’s so crazy — we lived it, she acted it and now it’s on us,” he added.

When the film came out, Rowlands explained how her mom’s struggle with Alzheimer’s influenced her decision to play Allie.

“I went through that with my mother, and if Nick hadn’t directed the film, I don’t think I would have gone for it — it’s just too hard,” she admitted to O Magazine at the time. “It was a tough but wonderful movie.”

Rowlands is best known for her acclaimed collaborations with her late husband, John Cassavetes, including the movies “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974) and “Gloria” (1980). She received Oscar nominations for both.

Her last feature film was the 2014 comedy “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks,” co-starring Cheyenne Jackson.

She retired from Hollywood the following year.

an image, when javascript is unavailable

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

Critic’s notebook: the ‘love island usa’ reunion illustrated reality tv’s toxic contradictions.

The highly anticipated season 6 reunion, hosted by Ariana Madix, felt more like a public service announcement against bullying than a satisfying conclusion for fans.

By Lovia Gyarkye

Lovia Gyarkye

Arts & Culture Critic

Share on Facebook
Share to Flipboard
Send an Email
Show additional share options
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Share on Tumblr
Share on Whats App
Print the Article
Post a Comment

When the finalists of the sixth season of Love Island USA recently emerged from their cartoonishly retrofitted villa in Fiji, they re-entered a changed world. Their experiences, broadcast daily on Peacock , had made Love Island the number one reality series across all streaming platforms. The islanders, a group of 20somethings vying to find love and win up to $100,000, had become overnight celebrities.

THR Newsletters

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Emmys predictions via feinberg forecast: one last update before voting closes, punkie johnson says she left ‘snl’ because “i didn’t really feel like i fit”, how disney kept the ‘descendants’ hot streak alive after stars’ departures, if you thought the fourth episode of ‘baby reindeer’ left you raw, you should hear what its editor has to say about it, david beckham: it took making a docuseries for me to feel ok again (guest column), ‘the paris widow’ tv series adaptation in the works.

Live Coverage

Gena Rowlands, veteran actor who brought husband John Cassavetes’ films to life, dies at 94

Gena Rowland with sunglasses on her head and a pinkish red scarf around her neck poses with her left hand on her cheek

Copy Link URL Copied!

Award-winning actor Gena Rowlands, whose appearances in “A Woman Under the Influence,” “Gloria” and “The Notebook” were among her many celebrated collaborations with her late husband, John Cassavetes, and their son, Nick, died Wednesday at her home in Indian Wells after a years-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 94.

Rowland’s death was confirmed by the office of Danny Greenberg, Nick Cassavetes’ agent at WME. No other details are available at this time.

An often unsung actor of quality and consummate talent, Rowlands earned glowing reviews for her film and TV work — which spanned six decades — especially the projects she worked on with her husband — earning Oscar nominations for her leading roles in his acclaimed 1974 drama “A Woman Under the Influence” and the 1980 crime thriller “Gloria” — and two films directed by her son, “Unhook the Stars” and “The Notebook.”

Rowlands embodied tough cookies, glamour girls and grandes dames, with suburban housewives in between. She shifted easily between John Cassavetes’ shoot-from-the-hip style of filmmaking and the tightly controlled world of network television.

“What’s great about being an actress is you don’t just live one life, you live many lives,” Rowlands said on accepting her honorary Oscar in 2015. “You are not just stuck with yourself all of your life.”

Gena Rowland with sunglasses on her head and a pinkish red scar around her neck posing with her left hand on her cheek

Gena Rowlands has Alzheimer’s, son Nick Cassavetes reveals: ‘She’s in full dementia’

Gena Rowlands has Alzheimer’s, according to her son, ‘The Notebook’ director Nick Cassavetes. ‘We lived it, she acted it, and now it’s on us,’ he says.

June 25, 2024

Toward the end of her life, Rowlands battled Alzheimer’s disease and its characteristic dementia. In June 2024, while commemorating the 20th anniversary of “The Notebook,” Nick Cassavetes revealed his mother’s illness .

“For the last five years, she’s had Alzheimer’s,” he said at the time, adding, “She’s in full dementia.”

Despite a lengthy string of widely praised performances, Rowlands never became a superstar and never appeared — and, perhaps, never wished to have appeared — in a blockbuster film. Just the same, many critics and contemporaries regarded her as one of the era’s finest actors.

“I really think she’s the finest film actress of her generation or any other generation,” director Arthur Allan Seidelman told The Times in 2014. “Every moment she gives you is totally truthful and comes from insight into a character. She has the ability of really putting herself in that character.”

Not surprisingly, her career was entwined with the work of her husband, whom she met at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York in 1951 and married three years later. Their decades-long union yielded 10 films and three children before John Cassavetes’ death in 1989.

Gena Rowlands at her home in Los Angeles.

‘It’s awfully nice’ to be awarded an honorary Oscar, Gena Rowlands says

Gena Rowlands has attended the Academy Awards only twice — when she was nominated for lead actress for the acclaimed 1974 drama “Woman Under the Influence” and the 1980 crime thriller “Gloria,” both directed by her late husband, John Cassavetes.

Nov. 13, 2015

“When I met John, I didn’t know whether he was actually taken by me or the red velvet strapless dress I was wearing,” she told The Times in 1996. “But from there, we went on to have 31 fantastic years, three children, a wonderful working relationship. We lived the way we wanted to.”

Rowlands and Cassavetes teamed up for the first time in 1955’s “Time for Love,” she playing a humble small-town girl, he a traveling salesman who sweeps her off her feet. In another appearance with Cassavetes, “Won’t It Ever Be Morning?” she portrays a jazz singer who finds herself on the witness stand when her devoted manager is wrongly accused of murder.

As a ranking member of Cassavetes’ informal company of actors, which included Peter Falk , Ben Gazzara and Seymour Cassel , Rowlands often was the face of her husband’s films at a time when many roles for women were reserved for blond bombshells.

Together they were hailed as independent cinema royalty, operating outside the controlling and predictable studio system. The couple mortgaged their Hollywood Hills home again and again to finance his films, she said, in an effort to remain independent from the tight reins of Hollywood.

Classic Hollywood: ‘Dance Lessons’ helps Gena Rowlands kick up her heels

During their three-decade marriage, Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes had an unparalleled screen collaboration, working together 10 times before his death in 1989.

Dec. 13, 2014

After Cassavetes died in 1989 , at age 59, her son asked his mother to star in a film he was making, 1996’s “Unhook the Stars,” in which she played a middle-aged woman finally free of her family obligations.

Her late husband “wrote wonderful parts for women, and of course, I got them,” she told The Times at the time. “So it is very emotional and satisfying to have a son who puts a script in my lap and says, ‘Mother, let’s make this movie.’”

“Mom was hip,” Nick Cassavetes wrote in a 2000 piece for the L.A. Times Magazine . “God, she was beautiful. With her skinny little legs and her Ungaro outfits and the big Jackie O sunglasses. And the hair. Dad used to call her ‘Golden Girl.’”

Born Virginia Cathryn Rowlands in Madison, Wis., on June 19, 1930, the actor was the daughter of Edwin Rowlands, a Wisconsin state senator, and Mary Allen Neal, a homemaker. Her older brother, David Rowlands, also was an actor. Later in life, her mother launched a stage career using the name Lady Rowlands.

Rowlands attended the University of Wisconsin before moving to New York City to study drama. She met John Cassavetes after an audition for the American Academy at Carnegie Hall.

She also worked in repertory theater and made her Broadway debut opposite Edward G. Robinson in “Middle of the Night” in 1956. She made her big-screen debut in Jose Ferrer’s 1958 drama “The High Cost of Loving.”

Reading is what initially drew Rowlands to the dramatic arts. She was a sickly child and used her idle time to read voraciously. The lives of the characters she read about made her want to act. She found such a character in Mabel Longhetti, the increasingly erratic housewife in “A Woman Under the Influence” who struggles to hang onto her delicate mental equilibrium.

The drama is considered by many to be the greatest triumph of the Cassavetes-Rowlands collaborations, and it earned Oscar nominations for both.

“It was sort of a difficult role,” Rowlands said. “But I like difficult roles.”

Though she was forever associated with the Cassavetes projects — “Faces” and “Love Streams” among them — she worked with other directors as well, including Woody Allen in “Another Woman,” and on various TV projects, such as “An Early Frost” and “The Betty Ford Story,” for which she won an Emmy.

The opportunity to play embattled First Lady Betty Ford in the 1987 TV movie also offered Rowlands the type of challenge she appreciated. “I like to play people who have a very strong emotional commitment to something,” she told The Times in 1987.

She also won Emmys for “Face of a Stranger” and “Hysterical Blindness.”

She won a Daytime Emmy for her performance in “The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie.” In 2007, she appeared in “Broken English,” an independent film directed by her daughter Zoe Cassavetes.

Rowlands won an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar in 2015. Her son presented her with the award. The Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. honored her with a career achievement award the next year.

Rowlands also endeared herself to a new generation of fans with her brief appearance in “The Notebook,” her son’s 2004 adaptation of the weepy Nicholas Sparks love story starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling.

“I didn’t think it would have that kind of impact,” Rowlands said of the film in a 2016 Variety interview. “I think it was such a big hit because it was about the realization that love can last your whole life. You don’t see it depicted that way a lot. In most films you don’t get to see a story like that go from the beginning to the end with the possibility that love can be, perhaps, eternal.”

Besides her son, Rowlands is survived by second husband Robert Forrest, daughters Alexandra and Zoe and several grandchildren. Her brother, David Rowlands, died in 2000.

Sandy Bresler, Jack Nicholson’s longtime agent and agency co-founder, dies at 87

Aug. 2, 2024

An older woman with short gray hair smiles slightly in a selfie in front of a tree

Jill Schary Robinson, writer who was part of a rich Hollywood lineage, dies at 88

July 23, 2024

Clint Eastwood in a tuxedo and bow tie standing next to Christina Sandera in a dark gown

Christina Sandera, longtime partner of film legend Clint Eastwood, dies at 61

July 19, 2024

The biggest entertainment stories

Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Nardine Saad covers breaking entertainment news, trending culture topics, celebrities and their kin for the Fast Break Desk at the Los Angeles Times. She joined The Times in 2010 as a MetPro trainee and has reported from homicide scenes, flooded canyons, red carpet premieres and award shows.

More From the Los Angeles Times

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO BOOK COVERS. Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Wembley Stadium on August 15, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management )

Taylor Swift breaks silence over Vienna cancellations, cites safety concerns

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 19: Senator Laphonza Butler at the California Democratic Party delegation breakfast at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, CA on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Were maggots planted at DNC-related breakfast? FBI, police investigating

Aug. 21, 2024

Ashanti smiling in a glittering gown and standing with Nelly who has on a matching glittery vest, black shirt and glasses

Ashanti has ‘been waiting to be a mom for a long time.’ With Nelly, she welcomes a baby boy

Atwater, California-Principal Robert Nunes from Buhach Colony High School in Atwater has been put on administrative leave after dancing with the school's mascot at last Friday's rally, according to media reports. (Google Maps)

Northern California principal on leave after dancing with school mascot to Ginuwine’s ‘Pony’

IMAGES

Notebook Movie Review & Ratings Audience Twitter Response Live Updates
Notebook (2019)
Notebook Movie Review
Movie Review: The Notebook (2004)
Notebook Movie Review: It Will Bind Your Emotions Together!
Notebook movie review: Sublime visuals compensate for wooden turns by

COMMENTS

The Notebook movie review & film summary (2004)
The Notebook. "The Notebook" is based on the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks and directed by Nick Cassavetes. 'The Notebook" cuts between the same couple at two seasons in their lives. We see them in the urgency of young romance, and then we see them as old people, she disappearing into the shadows of Alzheimer's, he steadfast in his love.
The Notebook
The Notebook. In 1940s South Carolina, mill worker Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and rich girl Allie (Rachel McAdams) are desperately in love. But her parents don't approve. When Noah goes off to ...
The Notebook (2004)
Permalink. "The Notebook" is an American 2-hour movie from 2004, so this one is also already way over a decade old now. It is considered to be a defining movie of the 21st century when it comes to romance, heart-throb and cheering for the characters to become a couple. Lead actors Gosling and McAdams were a couple themselves back then and their ...
The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook: Directed by Nick Cassavetes. With Tim Ivey, Gena Rowlands, Starletta DuPois, James Garner. An elderly man reads to a woman with dementia the story of two young lovers whose romance is threatened by the difference in their respective social classes.
The Notebook
Full Review | Feb 2, 2019. The Notebook is the kind of syrupy, heightened melodrama more likely to be found in the pages of a Mills & Boon paperback than on the silver screen. Full Review ...
FILM REVIEW; When Love Is Madness And Life a Straitjacket
The Notebook. Directed by Nick Cassavetes. Drama, Romance. PG-13. 2h 3m. By Stephen Holden. June 25, 2004. Young love -- the old-fashioned kind that flourished before the age of the hook-up -- has ...
The Notebook critic reviews
The Notebook is meant to be a romantic weepy, and you will shed tears - but only from the consistent and exhausting effort of trying to control your gag reflex. Even a body that welcomes a sugar fix will repel a sugar invasion. Read More. By Rick Groen FULL REVIEW.
The Notebook
A stirring romance film between a creepy stalker and an emotional mess, The Notebook is a film that needs no introduction. Everybody knows about The Notebook and a review will hardly convince you to change your stance. Personally, it was just fine. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams lack chemistry whatsoever and their section is entirely typical.
The Notebook
The Notebook is a 2004 American romantic drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes, from a screenplay by Jeremy Leven and Jan Sardi, and based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks.The film stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s. Their story is read from a notebook in the present day by an elderly man, telling the tale to a fellow ...
The Notebook
So without giving the young lovers a chance to even say goodbye, Mrs. Hamilton packs her little girl off to a fancy women's college. Noah writes to Allie every day for a year, but never receives a reply. Unaware of parental deception, Allie and Noah are each devastated at the perceived abandonment by the other.
The Notebook Movie Review
THE NOTEBOOK is a story about a 1940s summer romance between Allie ( Rachel McAdams ), the daughter of wealthy parents, and Noah ( Ryan Gosling ), a working-class boy. They're crazy about each other, but her parents disapprove. When Allie goes to college, Noah writes to her every day, but Allie's mother ( Joan Allen) withholds his letters.
The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook (2004) - Movies, TV, Celebs, and more... Menu. Movies. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. ... Metacritic reviews. The Notebook. 53. Metascore. 34 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com. 80.
Movie Review: 'The Notebook'
Movie Review: 'The Notebook' | What begins as a World War II weepie quickly morphs into a dark story of separation, brutality and parenting that's far from the current nurturing American model.
'The Notebook' is the worst and I didn't realize it 15 years ago
Darn it, that is romantic! But as for the rest of the movie, well, I'll say this: It still did make me feel a lot, like it did the first time. It's just that this time, I understood my emotions ...
The Notebook. "Behind Every great love is a great…
Oct 19, 2017. --. The Notebook is a timeless love story based on the novel written by Nicholas Sparks. The movie focuses on the young love of Allie Nelson and Noah Calhoun, played by Rachel ...
The Notebook (2004) Movie Reviews
The Notebook (2004) Critic Reviews and Ratings Powered by Rotten Tomatoes Rate Movie. Close Audience Score. The percentage of users who made a verified movie ticket purchase and rated this 3.5 stars or higher. ... Buy a ticket to any movie on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 12:01am PT on June 14, 2024, and 11:59pm PT on August 4 ...
The Notebook Review
The Notebook Review. An elderly man reads a 1940s love story to a woman in a nursing home. It tells of rich young Allie and poor young Noah, who are forced apart after a summer of passion. Will ...
Movie Review: 'The Notebook'
The Times critic A. O. Scott reviews "The Notebook: (Le Grand Cahier)."
The Notebook
Nick Cassavetes directs this beautifully acted and heart-affecting love story based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks. This film has a depth of feeling and a cinematic richness that was lacking in two other adaptations of this gifted writer's novels: Message in a Bottle and A Walk to Remember. The top-drawer performances by Ryan Gosling, Rachel ...
Review: The Notebook
In short, The Notebook remains excellent as a portrait of a powerful love that lasted the test of time. It works as a romance, a period drama and an exploration of how love can grow and change throughout a life. If you have yet to see The Notebook then I can thoroughly recommend it. Content Note: There is some brief sexuality in this film and ...
The Notebook: 7+ Thoughts I Had While Rewatching The Ryan ...
The Notebook Breakup Scene Is One of The Best In History. Thankfully, The Notebook isn't one of the great breakup movies, because that would totally ruin the vibe of the film. However, the film ...
The Notebook Remains One of the Most Heartbreaking Movies on ...
'The Notebook' Showcases the Hardships of Maintaining a Relationship After An Alzheimer's Diagnosis Directed by Nick Cassavetes, The Notebook is a classic boy meets girl tale. Falling in love as ...
The Notebook
As a 17-year-old debutante in Charleston, S.C., she falls for a young mill worker (Ryan Gosling) in 1940. But her mother (Joan Allen) intervenes and sends her off to college. After her college years, she is happily engaged to the new love of her life, a Southern gentleman (James Marsden). A chance encounter brings her face to face with her ...
The Notebook Summary and Synopsis
Adapted from Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name, The Notebook is a romantic drama film that follows a couple who fall in love during the 1940s. Duke, an older man, recounts the story of two young lovers whose lives never lined up quite right to a fellow patient in his nursing home. Reading from the notebook pages, the movie keeps flashing from the present into the past to tell the story ...
The Notebook Ending Explained: Alternate Streaming Version, Noah
The scene in which the nurse finds Noah and Allie's bodies is the film's emotional high point. However, there is an alternate version of The Notebook that cuts it out completely. In 2019, Netflix UK began streaming The Notebook, but this version skipped over Noah and Allie's deaths and instead ended with a flock of birds flying over a lake.The pair never made their promise to "go" together ...
The Notebook (2004)
"T he Notebook" is an overwhelmingly romantic love story exemplifying the marriage vow to love your spouse "in sickness and health, 'til death do us part." This extraordinarily sweet account of two people who truly love each other is virtually outdone by the power of the love they share. But seeing their experience is like hearing a song that we already know and love, and don't ...
Best Gena Rowlands movies to stream based on reviews
The Notebook is a cult classic despite mixed reviews. In one of her later roles, Rowlands starred in The Notebook, directed by her son Nick Cassavetes. The film, based on the novel by Nicholas ...
'The Notebook' star Gena Rowlands dead at 94 after battling Alzheimer's
Gena Rowlands died Wednesday at the age of 94. ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection "The Notebook" star Gena Rowlands has died at the age of 94 after battling Alzheimer's disease. ...
Critic's Notebook: The 'Love Island U.S.A' Reunion Is The Latest
Critic's Notebook: The 'Love Island USA' Reunion Illustrated Reality TV's Toxic Contradictions. The highly anticipated season 6 reunion, hosted by Ariana Madix, felt more like a public ...
Gena Rowlands dead: 'Notebook' actor starred in Cassavetes films
Award-winning actor Gena Rowlands, whose appearances in "A Woman Under the Influence," "Gloria" and "The Notebook" were among her many celebrated collaborations with her late husband ...

Movie Reviews

Roger Ebert

Now playing

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

Hollywood Black

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Deadpool & Wolverine

Skywalkers: A Love Story

The Notebook (2004)

Directed by

Based on the novel by

Latest blog posts

A Look Back at MUBI FEST CHICAGO

2024 XL Film Festival & Summit – Highlights of its Sophomore Year

Locarno Film Festival 2024: By the Stream, Toxic, Drowning Dry, When the Phone Rang

In Memoriam: Alain Delon

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Email not verified

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

The Notebook Reviews

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

The Notebook

Content Caution

In Theaters

Home Release Date

Distributor

Movie Review

Positive Elements

Spiritual Elements

Sexual Content

Violent Content

Crude or Profane Language

Drug and Alcohol Content

Other Negative Elements

Rhonda Handlon

Blink Twice

Inside Out 2

Weekly Reviews Straight to your Inbox!

Or browse by category:

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

Common Sense Selections for Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

How to Help Kids Build Character Strengths with Quality Media

Multicultural Books

YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

Common Sense Media Review

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Violence & Scariness

Positive Messages

Diverse Representations

Positive Role Models

Where to Watch

Parent and Kid Reviews

Enjoyed the movie; should be rated R.

Is It Any Good?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Suggest an Update

A Walk to Remember

Love Actually

Metacritic reviews

More from this title