The Notebook (2004)

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Writers: Jan Sardi, Jeremy Levine, Nicholas Sparks
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, Gena Rowlands, James Garner, Starletta Dupolis, Kevin Connolly, Heather Warquist, Jeffrey Knight / Joan Allen / James Marsden
Genre: Drama / Romance
Region: United States
language: English
Released: 2004-06-25 (USA)
Length: 123 minutes
Also known as: Forget · Unforgettable (Hong Kong) / Letters of Love (Taiwan) / Affectionate Diary / Write My Love / Love Notepad / Love Diary
Rating: IMDB 7.8 / Rotten Tomatoes 53%

Movie Synopsis
A love story soaked in bright red and pure white, written in a dimly lit notebook, told over and over again by an old gentleman (played by James Garner). The old woman (Gina Rowlands) was always listening quietly, and the result curiously asked. In a nursing home, this constant scenario plays out every day.
In the notebook, the beautiful handwriting records the love that happened that summer. Ellie (Rachel McAdams) is the daughter of a wealthy family. She and her family came to the town to escape the summer heat. In a playground full of dreams, I met Noah (Ryan Gosling). Noah has no money, but lives happily. Ellie learned freedom from him, got laughter, and the two quickly fell in love. However, under the obstruction of Ellie’s parents, the two people in love were separated at the end of summer. As Noah’s 365 letters were secretly hidden, Ellie finally gave up waiting after 7 years. Just the day before she was going to step into the church, she suddenly saw in the newspaper the white house that Noah had promised to build for herself. All memories, all awakened…
Perhaps, it is not the people in the story who should wake up, but the people who listen to the story.

“The Notebook” is a 2004 romantic drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes and starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks and follows the story of a young couple, Noah and Allie, who fall in love during the 1940s but are separated by war and class differences. The film is framed by an elderly man reading to a woman with Alzheimer’s disease, whose love story parallels that of the young couple.

The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of memory. It also touches on issues of class and social expectations.

The movie received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the film’s strong performances and emotional impact, while others criticized the film for being overly sentimental and predictable. Despite this, it was a commercial success, grossing over $115 million worldwide.

“The Notebook” is known for its iconic scenes, such as the rain-soaked kiss between Noah and Allie, and its memorable soundtrack composed by Aaron Zigman. It has become a beloved classic among romantic films and is often cited as a favorite by fans of the genre. The film also features strong supporting performances by James Garner, Gena Rowlands, and Joan Allen.