The Notebook at 20: how Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams shot to stardom in 2004 romance

When Noah met Allie and love blossomed – 2004 romance The Notebook made A-listers of its stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, and an item

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Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in a still from The Notebook. Ironically for a romance, they had to overcome a mutual dislike. Equally ironic, they fell in love after making the 2004 romance, which shot both of them to stardom. Photo: New Line Cinema

Published: 6:15pm, 22 Jun 2024

It’s an unwritten Hollywood rule: if you can leave the audience feeling happy and sad at the same time, you’ll have the world at your feet. It worked for the likes of Titanic, Gladiator and Ghost, and it’s a large part of the appeal of 2004 romance The Notebook.

Based on the debut 1996 novel by Nicholas Sparks, scripted by Jeremy Leven and directed by Nick Cassavetes, son of the legendary filmmaker John Cassavetes, the film allows audiences to have their cake and eat it, too – they get to experience the joys and heartbreaks of young love, then peek behind the curtain at what happens after.

The film takes place across two time periods. In a retirement home in the present day, Duke (James Garner) spends his time reading a love story to a woman (Gena Rowlands) with dementia.

In 1940s South Carolina, poor lumber mill worker Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) falls in love with uptown girl Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams), as life – and her parents – try to force them apart.

The Notebook (2004) Official Trailer - Ryan Gosling Movie

Gradually we realise that Duke is Noah, retelling Allie the story of their love every day as she slowly slips away.