The Notebook
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An epic love story centered around an older man who reads aloud to a woman with Alzheimer's. From a faded notebook, the old man's words bring to life the story about a couple who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths.
What critics thought
DivisiveCritics were split almost exactly down the middle on The Notebook, finding the performances of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams compelling but divided over whether the film transcends its melodramatic machinery or is swamped by it — a gap that has only widened over time, as the film became a genuine pop-culture touchstone while critical opinion stayed lukewarm. The central debate was Gosling specifically: some found him charming and subtly subversive, others felt he simply lacked the star power to anchor the love story. Audiences, then and since, have disagreed with the critics almost entirely.
“Gosling and especially McAdams give all-star performances, doing just enough to hand the reins over to the pros, who take what's left of the film and finish the audience off with some touching scenes that don't leave a dry eye in the house.”
Peter Lowry·Film Threat
“just doesn't have the kind of star power or chemistry with McAdams to anchor this kind of minor-league Gone with the Wind.”
William Arnold·Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“Considering the sunny, relatively pleasurable romantic business that precedes it, the elderly stuff seems dark, morbid, and forced upon us.”
Wesley Morris·The Boston Globe
“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.”
Jessica Winter·The Village Voice
“already one of the most intriguing young thesps, Gosling extends his range to pure romance without sacrificing a bit of his naturally subversive qualities, and even seems comfortable looking beautiful in a manly American way.”
Robert Koehler·Variety
Genres
Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
Nick CassavetesDirector
Ryan GoslingNoah Calhoun
Rachel McAdamsAllie Hamilton
Gena RowlandsOlder Allie
James GarnerOlder Noah 'Duke'
Joan AllenAnne Hamilton
David ThorntonJohn Hamilton
James MarsdenLon Hammond
Kevin ConnollyFin
Sam ShepardFrank Calhoun
Starletta DuPoisNurse Esther
Jennifer EcholsNurse Selma
Aaron ZigmanComposer
Jeremy LevenWriter
Nicholas SparksWriter
Robert FraisseCinematographyFrom the studio
The Notebook
An epic love story centered around an older man who reads aloud to a woman with Alzheimer's. From a faded notebook, the old man's words bring to life the story about a couple who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths.
What critics thought
DivisiveCritics were split almost exactly down the middle on The Notebook, finding the performances of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams compelling but divided over whether the film transcends its melodramatic machinery or is swamped by it — a gap that has only widened over time, as the film became a genuine pop-culture touchstone while critical opinion stayed lukewarm. The central debate was Gosling specifically: some found him charming and subtly subversive, others felt he simply lacked the star power to anchor the love story. Audiences, then and since, have disagreed with the critics almost entirely.
“Gosling and especially McAdams give all-star performances, doing just enough to hand the reins over to the pros, who take what's left of the film and finish the audience off with some touching scenes that don't leave a dry eye in the house.”
Peter Lowry·Film Threat
“just doesn't have the kind of star power or chemistry with McAdams to anchor this kind of minor-league Gone with the Wind.”
William Arnold·Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“Considering the sunny, relatively pleasurable romantic business that precedes it, the elderly stuff seems dark, morbid, and forced upon us.”
Wesley Morris·The Boston Globe
“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.”
Jessica Winter·The Village Voice
“already one of the most intriguing young thesps, Gosling extends his range to pure romance without sacrificing a bit of his naturally subversive qualities, and even seems comfortable looking beautiful in a manly American way.”
Robert Koehler·Variety
Genres
Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
Nick CassavetesDirectorRyan GoslingNoah CalhounRachel McAdamsAllie HamiltonGena RowlandsOlder AllieJames GarnerOlder Noah 'Duke'Joan AllenAnne HamiltonDavid ThorntonJohn HamiltonJames MarsdenLon HammondKevin ConnollyFinSam ShepardFrank CalhounStarletta DuPoisNurse EstherJennifer EcholsNurse SelmaAaron ZigmanComposerJeremy LevenWriterNicholas SparksWriterRobert FraisseCinematographyFrom the studio
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Rent & Buy