The Notebook

PG-13

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2h 4m

Romance

Drama

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54%

182 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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 serve in World War II, it seems to mark the end of their love affair. In the interim, Allie becomes involved with another man (James Marsden). But when Noah returns to their small town years later, on the cusp of Allie's marriage, it soon becomes clear that their romance is anything but over.

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Critics Consensus

It's hard not to admire its unabashed sentimentality, but The Notebook is too clumsily manipulative to rise above its melodramatic clichés.

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Shayla

Your review will help others decide whether to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/21

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Mason Y

The greatest love story that's ever touched the screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

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Frankie P

Was fine. Not as fine as Ryan gosling tho. Heartbreaking film. A classic. Could have given Ryan a better haircut tho. Overall I recommend the movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/02/24

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Hargie M

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I'd hoped to give you forever." - Noah

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

Full Review

Simon S

Of all the movies based on his novels, The Notebook is Nicholas Spark's best attempt to capture romance. Unlike other films made from his novels, this one brings the blind passions of youth back without manipulating our emotions. It feels very real, driven, and while over a lifetime that kind of love may fade, it never dies in our memories. James Garner, retelling their story to our now elderly ingenue with Alzheimers in the hope of being with his lover again, if only for a moment, is the perfect vehicle for poignantly bringing it powerfully alive. The Broadway show is even better, and like the critics of the movie, it gets a thumbs down for daring to be sentimental. I've learned to ignore the critics when there is emotional content. It amazes me that they are able to keep their jobs when they have a thumb up their _______. They are too in love with novelty, too far away from their hearts

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

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Luke M

This movie is what I would consider "the" romance movie. It gives an emotional roller coaster, and a good story. The plot twist may be predictable from the first ten seconds, but this movie isn't about the plot; it's about out attachment to the characters as they grow. All in all, this is an amazing movie!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/10/24

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Nick Cassavetes

Director

Ryan Gosling

Noah Calhoun

Rachel McAdams

Allie Hamilton

James Garner

Duke

Gena Rowlands

Allie Calhoun

James Marsden

Lon

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“Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong” About… The Notebook

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The Notebook: Trailer 1

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Scott Tobias

AV Club

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

Feb 2, 2019

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

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

Rated: 1/5

Feb 2, 2019

Full Review

Leslie Felperin

Times (UK)

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.

Feb 2, 2019

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Patricia Karounos

Refinery29

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

Oct 23, 2023

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

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?

Rated: 4/5

Apr 21, 2023

Full Review

Patrick McDonald

HollywoodChicago.com

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!

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 25, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

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 serve in World War II, it seems to mark the end of their love affair. In the interim, Allie becomes involved with another man (James Marsden). But when Noah returns to their small town years later, on the cusp of Allie's marriage, it soon becomes clear that their romance is anything but over.

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Producer: Avram "Butch" Kaplan, Toby Emmerich
Screenwriter: Nick Cassavetes, Jeremy Leven, Nicholas Sparks, Jan Sardi
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Avery Pix
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexuality)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $81.0M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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