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.
June 25, 2004 · Directed by Nick Cassavetes
What's been said
Viewers and critics landed in very different places on this one: critics were largely lukewarm, while audiences embraced it warmly. The element most praised across both camps is the on-screen chemistry and performances of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, with the elder pairing of James Garner and Gena Rowlands also singled out for lending the film genuine emotional weight. The most common criticism from critics is that the film is overly manipulative and formulaic, with the Rotten Tomatoes consensus calling it 'too clumsily manipulative to rise above its melodramatic clichés.' Notably, the gap between critical and audience reception is stark: critics scored it around 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences gave it an 85%, a divide that became something of a talking point in itself and inspired a dedicated 'Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong' podcast episode.
Will you actually like it?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll predict how much you'll like this movie, not whether critics did. Each one targets something this film specifically leans into, where viewers tend to split. We think these are the questions that will best help predict how well it will align with you.
Where to watch
Trailer
