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The Notebook

Play trailer 2:13 Poster for The Notebook PG-13 2004 2h 4m Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
54% Tomatometer 183 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
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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The Notebook

The Notebook

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 The 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 Full Review Mary Kassel Screen Rant Romance might not be for everyone, but after more than 20 years, The Notebook holds an undeniable appeal that will convert every cynic. Rated: 7/10 Apr 9, 2025 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Shayla Your review will help others decide whether to watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/25/21 Full Review Marco L (CASTELLANO) El diario de Noa es una de esas películas que, aunque llegues sabiendo exactamente cómo va a terminar, te la ves sin problema. No la revisitaría, pero reconozco que tiene algo que la hace avanzar con suavidad, casi sin resistencias. Es un romance construido para emocionar al gran público, y lo consigue porque juega limpio: no pretende ser más profunda de lo que es, y eso ya es una ventaja en un género donde muchos dramas se disfrazan de trascendencia. Lo mejor está clarísimo: Rachel McAdams y Ryan Gosling. Tienen esa energía de pareja que hace creíble lo que, sobre el papel, podría sonar empalagoso. Ella está radiante, él tiene ese punto de chico sencillo que encaja bien aquí, y entre ambos sostienen la película cuando el guion recurre a los lugares comunes de siempre. Al final, da igual lo predecible que sea el giro o lo obvio que resulte el conflicto: ellos dos te mantienen dentro. La película es consciente de sus propias limitaciones, y quizá por eso no molesta. No intenta reinventar nada, no se complica, simplemente cuenta una historia bonita con un ritmo correcto y una ambientación que ayuda a entrar en el juego. La parte más emotiva está muy medida, casi diseñada para que la lágrima salga sola, pero sin llegar al chantaje emocional absoluto que uno podría esperar de Nicholas Sparks. Eso sí: una vez terminada, desaparece rápido. No deja demasiada huella, ni invita a analizar nada. Es dulce, agradable y ligera. A veces eso es suficiente; otras veces te gustaría algo más. Para mí queda justo en ese punto intermedio: una película que funciona mientras la ves, pero que no necesitas volver a ver. (ENGLISH) The Notebook is one of those films you watch knowing exactly where it’s heading, and yet it goes down smoothly. I wouldn’t revisit it, but I get why it works: it embraces its simplicity instead of pretending to be deeper or more complex than it really is. In a genre full of fake transcendence, that honesty already plays in its favor. The real strength is obvious: Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling. They have that natural chemistry that sells even the most predictable beats. She’s luminous, he’s convincing as the quiet, stubborn romantic, and together they hold the whole thing in place whenever the script slips into familiar territory. No matter how obvious the twists are, they keep you watching. The film knows its limitations and doesn’t fight them. It tells a sweet story at a steady pace, helped by the idyllic setting and a soft emotional tone that aims straight for the tear without turning manipulative. It’s sentimental, yes, but not unbearable. Just calibrated enough to work for the audience it’s made for. Once it ends, it fades quickly. It doesn’t stay with you or ask for a rewatch, but it’s pleasant while it lasts. Light, warm, and harmless. Sometimes that’s all a romantic drama needs; other times you wish it pushed a little harder. For me, this one sits comfortably in the middle. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/24/25 Full Review Hanna S I found this movie very good the first time I watched it! I wish that I could rewatch it for the first time again. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/22/25 Full Review ArtrRand 7 It's Really tahe best romantic movie I've ever seen, i myself not a big fan of romantic movies at all but this changed my mind, and i literally cried during the movie ending Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/06/25 Full Review Bobby E Film critics don't know good movie makeing . If the audience keeps watching a movie over and over , then its a good movie . Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/01/25 Full Review Matthew L. Iconic love story that inspires real emotions Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/28/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Notebook

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Movie Info

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
Mark Johnson, Lynn Harris
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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