I am one of the only people I know who has never seen the movie The Notebook (or read the book). I honestly have no idea what it’s about other than a vague idea there is kissing in the rain. When I told some of my friends that I was finally going to sit down and watch it, they said they couldn’t wait to hear what I thought. They all love it, and told me to make sure I had a box of tissues on hand. Oh great, a sad movie. I decided to jot down my thoughts as I watched it (this is spoiler-y, obviously):
3:01 Gena Rowlands has amazing skin.
3:25 JAMES GARNER. I love this movie already.
4:30 Gena Rowlands is dressed very nicely, like she’s going to maybe run for office.
5:00 Oh, Ryan Gosling is in this movie. I feel like I probably should have known this. Maybe it’s because I am “meh” on him. Don’t hate me.
6:00 And Rachel McAdams. Jeez, they look like babies. They have not aged as well as Gena.
6:15 They are the young James and Gena, yes?
7:45 So…Noah threatens to kill himself if Allie doesn’t go out with him. That’s a real Dahmer/Dobler move right there.
Nothing is sexier than imminent death!
15:20 Now he’s laying in the street. Run away, Allie.
15:45 He just mansplained her into laying in the street with him. Dreamy.
19:35 Now they’re wasting ice cream…tsk tsk. Did the Depression teach them nothing?
He makes forty cents an hour, stop wasting his precious dessert, Moneybags.
23:00 She really likes jumping on him.
WTF does that mean?
24:00 So far, I’ve wanted both of Rachel McAdams’ bathing suits.
25:00 Fighting and then making out looks like more fun than my time-honed technique of fighting and then giving the silent treatment.
25:30 Uh oh, Allie’s dad has a mustache, he must be evil.
Sweet curls, though.
29:15 Run-down haunted mansions are not hot.
33:00 They’re going to do it on the floor, surrounded by spiders and ghosts? Noooooo.
I mean, they’re gonna tell you. You just don’t have to listen.
37:00 Ugh her parents are the worst.
38:30 Sometimes Ryan Gosling’s hair looks grey and it’s very distracting to me.
45:24 Kevin Connolly, stop being so short and just tell Noah that she’s sorry, JEEZ.
47:00 This movie is going to make me hate Joan Allen.
48:44 Kevin Connolly, I’m really sorry I called you short. I feel badly about that now in light of you getting your legs blown off.
49:40 JAMES MARSDEN. I love Mr. Liz Lemon! How is falling in love with him surprising, he’s James Marsden and he sings like a dream.
Appreciative wolf whistle.
57:00 I don’t know what’s happening, I just got lost in the idea of marrying James Marsden and having him sing to me like in Enchanted.
59:45 Add Ryan Gosling’s beard to the list of things distracting me.
1:06:03 LOL she crashed the car and Noah’s face was like, “Girl, I taught you how to drive better than that.”
1:08:45 James Garner is not going to let some stupid doctor tell him about dementia, no siree.
He thinks your medical degree is adorable.
1:12:15 What is happening with the costume and makeup design here? Honestly, Rachel McAdams is a retro vision with her pin curls, and Ryan Gosling looks like every hipster I try to avoid in Hollywood.
1:15:43 Their kids are jerks.
1:21:51 Damn it, Joan Allen! You never gave her the letters? I knew I was going to hate you.
1:22:05 Kissing in the rain, there it is. Did he…just carry her up stairs with his pants around his ankles? That’s a man on a mission.
1:28:00 So Noah’s girlfriend is…happy…that Noah is in love with someone else? Not buying it.
1:29:23 He made her a painting room? Well that’s pretty sweet…wait why is she painting naked outside? What is this porno?
Such an impractical outfit for arting.
1:30:00 Joan Allen, you evil beeyotch.
1:31:05 Can someone please get Allie some clothes??
1:35:09 Joan, you kept all of the letters? That’s really sending mixed messages.
1:38:55 “What do you want?” I want them to stop shouting, my kids are asleep.
I also want him to clean up his hair.
1:40:00 She is a terrible driver.
1:45:02 James Marsden is too good for Allie.
1:46:00 I guess I’m supposed to be rooting for her to pick Noah…but I’m not feelin’ it. James Garner is legit, though.
1:47:25 Old people are adorable when they dance.
1:50:05 Well this dancing scene certainly took a turn.
1:51:30 Oh, crap. But he was taking his medicine!
1:56:32 “Do you think our love could take us away together?” That sounds ominous, Gena.
1:57:51 NO. EFFING. WAY. I hate this movie.
THAT IS HOW IT ENDS?! You guys. YOU GUYS! What did I just watch?! HOW IS THAT HOW IT ENDS? Is that romantic? Am I dead inside? I’m actually kind of pissed. This is my face right now:
Oh my god. This movie can eff off.
Lilian says:
hahahahahahahaha …. no other words are necessary!
Sinead says:
I have never seen The Notebook either. I’m not a Ryan Gosling fan so that puts me off. It seems a bit over sentimental for me. After reading your thoughts, I don’t think that I missed out on anything.
Beth says:
Your commentary was far more interesting and funnier than any director’s commentary!
tania says:
Haha!! I’ve never read the book or watched the movie either and now I don’t have too!!! Great commentary I loved it!!!
Lisa kisch says:
It is a fairy tale about alzheimer disease/dementia and the reality of this disease is barely present in tjis movie. However, having had a parent die of dementia, I have watched it a number of times as a way to deal with my grief.
Becki says:
Haven’t you read the stories where an elderly couple both die within hours of each other? Hearts can break. This movie means alot to many people. Me included. My parents were married just short of 55 years when we lost Dad last June. Mom is still here but this movie reflects so much of what people/caregivers go through melodramatic as it may be. Really kind of offends me that you cussed it out at the end of your review.
Heather says:
Oh wow Becki, this is just supposed to be fun. I’m sorry it offended you.
Becki says:
I know that. But the real of this just hurts and they just missed their 55th. This movie just has struck a chord with those living this. That is why it is now a “classic”. Your review was kind of funny. It was the ‘”F” this’ that implied lack of understanding. Hate the “F” bomb anyhow but didn’t feel the movie warranted it, no matter how maudlin you found it.
BB says:
Well, I’ve lived this, am living this, more than once. Yeah, it hurts and I’m sorry for your loss. But the movie does not resonate with me. I still find it maudlin and too much. I don’t find it sweet when elderly couples die together like this. I just don’t. It makes me sad and a little angry.
It doesn’t mean Heather or I lack understanding, it just means a different opinion. Because people are different and everyone deals with loss differently.
Heather says:
I am so sorry your parents just missed their 55th, I cannot imagine how devastating that is. I can’t pretend to understand what it’s like to live through this, but my reaction was ENTIRELY based on the MOVIE (which I now know is different from the book, making me dislike it even more). I was offended by the implication that people can just *poof* decide to die, as if their love is so much better/greater/stronger than anyone else’s. One of my best friends lost her father to this disease in October, and she said that she and her mother hate this movie because of the ending, as if her mom didn’t love her father enough to die with him. I suppose I am also filtering it through my child loss lens and all of the people who say to me, “I would just die if my child died.” As for saying “F this movie,” you’ve probably seen that I never swear on this blog (I think I have written out a swear word maybe five times in over eleven years), but in this case I was writing my gut reaction. My gut reaction was, again, responding to the movie and not to the real disease, so please know I am not making light of it. It’s okay that I didn’t like the movie, and it’s okay that you did. I think most everyone likes this movie!
Becki says:
http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/real-life-notebook-couple-dies-hand-hand/story?id=29226870
BB says:
Yes, it does happen. No one is saying it hasn’t happened.
It’s not the ending that was in the book though. And it doesn’t mean that they loved each other more than other couples who don’t die together.
Losing someone is a crappy situation, no matter how you lose them. And everyone deals with it differently. No one is “wrong” and no one doesn’t understand.
Ashley says:
Honestly, if you’re offended because someone didn’t like a movie you like, you are the problem. The Notebook is a mediocre movie at best. I understand that it resonates with you on a personal level but not every person is going to feel that way. She made light of a MOVIE not Alzheimer’s. Since she is too nice to say it, pull yourself together not everyone is going to have the same opinion as you and you can’t get all upset when someone’s opinion differs.
Becki says:
Me too Lisa!
Lee Cockrum says:
I don’t like Nicholas Sparks books. The reality of life is too damn painful, I want my entertainment, movies especially, to have happy endings.
Heather says:
That is the same reaction I had six years ago when I watched it for the first time. I read the book first, it is better but not by much, I still don’t understand what the big deal is about this movie, the plot was terribly executed.
Shannon says:
I’m so happy that you (as well as most of the people commenting) didn’t like it. I thought I was the only person who thought I must be dead inside because I didn’t enjoy it, at all. I’m not really a huge fan of Nicolas Sparks either though, but I saw this movie before deciding that.
I love James Marsden and that he sings. Now I just want to go watch hairspray, enchanted, and 27 dresses. Bennnyyyyy.
Debbie A-H says:
I HATED this movie, despite being a fan of Ryan G. My husband gave me the movie for Christmas one year, and I made him take it back. Didn’t want it in my house!
M says:
One of the best movies ever! Even my husband loves it. Don’t tell me you didn’t like dirty dancing either…
M says:
I just realized I also recommended it to my BIL, my husband’s uncle and his wife and my parents. they all loved it! except it made my mom cry bc she thought the nursing home stuff was sad (she’s in her 60’s).
Connie says:
I rarely like the film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks books but I love this one. It’s ok that you didn’t love/like it. I hate many, many movies that are really popular (Star Wars anything, Lord of the Rings anything, etc.). They made one of his books with Miley Cyrus as the lead in the movie -WTH is that about?
Deirdre says:
I have mad love for Ryan G (damn Eva Mendes) which probably swayed my opinion of this movie because it’s definitely one of my guilty pleasures. However, I think your grave error was not reading the book first. Nine times out of ten the book is always better than the movie and this is no exception. There are just certain parts and certain nuances that didn’t make it or didn’t translate to the movie. I think I had all those in my mind already when watching the movie. But honestly, the “What do you want?” scene is my favorite because I think so many people don’t take the time to really ask themselves that question.
Alimartell says:
I have exactly two words for you: Nicholas and Sparks.
cindy w says:
I’ve only ever seen maybe half of this movie and it was more than enough. Your recap was perfect.
I think I hate all Nicholas Sparks books/movies because it feels like they’re manipulating you and *trying* to make you cry? Which, no. It’s the same reason why I stopped watching “Parenthood.”
(Well, ok, that was one of the reasons why I stopped watching “Parenthood.” The other one was that I was supposed to believe that grown adult siblings would battle SF Bay Area traffic to drop by each other’s homes and offices unannounced, to have a 2 minute conversation that could’ve easily been wrapped up in a single text. NO ONE DOES THAT, BRAVERMANS.)
Marie says:
I am older, and having lost my husband 12 years ago after 32 years of marriage I loved the ending. I think every couple in their later years would wish to go together. I never thought I’d be left here alone, I’m not sure how I figured we would go together but I always did. So the ending to me was the most beautiful part. They loved so hard and so long that they needed to go together. It’s how we all feel. The parts with old Allie and old Noah were my favorite of the whole movie. And no, I am not a Nicholas Sparks fan either but this movie was pretty good and I’ve watched it several times.
Elizabeth says:
I haven’t seen it because I dislike Nicholas Spark’s intensely, but I have to share this on FB because I used the term “mansplain” too many times to count a few weeks ago. Thank you!
Megan says:
It’s the 1940s and women are terrible drivers because they’re women. Duh.
I was about 21 when I first saw The Notebook and loved it and cried and came away thinking “OMG this is what true love is like and if it’s meant to be it’ll happen.” I recently watched it and enjoyed it, but I think if I saw for the first time now as a 31-year-old, I’d come away with a similar reaction to yours.
BrandyB says:
i just watched this about a year or so ago and NO. Didn’t care for it at all. Made me want to yell at them most of the movie.
Becky says:
I have never seen it, or read the book! Now I’m not sure I need to!? Why set myself up for disappointment!?
Margie says:
Thank you. This movie blows.
Mommy says:
You will love it more the next time you watch it. Trust.
C says:
I’ve never read the book or watched the movie!!
shannon says:
I love it…but I love all things Nicholas Sparks. I read the book AFTER I watched the movie…and cried some more. And as books go, it is much better.
Julie says:
I lost my Dad to Alzheimer’s, so there is a whole different level of appreciation for the movie when you’ve had the experience of losing somone that way in real life. I’ve cried every time I’ve seen it, when James Garner and Gena Rowlands are on. The other parts, with younger Noah and Allie…meh.
Becki says:
Agree 100%
JT says:
That aspect just makes me feel more manipulated with it.
It doesn’t feel like a natural emotional reaction. It’s forced emotion and tears.
Elizabeth says:
wait, how did it end??
did old noah die?
I read the book, and I thought he was alive at the end? Because he is another book.
Lindsay says:
Yeah, the book and the movie end differently! In the books, Noah is in a sequel that is much more focused on one of his daughters.
Heather says:
They both die, holding hands in her bed. Like, they decided to die and then they did. I…don’t know.
Samantha says:
They ended the movie different than the book, because in the book he doesn’t die and yes, he is in another book. I heard a rumor that the “movie writers” wanted it to have an “end” so to speak so they changed the ending to both of the main characters to die, but don’t know how true that is. I don’t like the way Nicholas Spark’s books differ from the movies. A Walk to Remember is another movie that is different from the book and I try not to read the book and then watch the movie or vice-versa, to avoid getting angry about how much it differs.
Pattie says:
I still haven’t watched The Notebook, and now after reading this I don’t have to. Thanks, Heather!
LD's Mom says:
Can’t say I agree with all your sentiments, (I was in the bawl my eyes out club), but I had a blast reading them. Very entertaining play-by-play!
Barbi Emel says:
Damn it, I haven’t watched it either, I was hoping for something good.
Cheryl says:
Never read the book and have not seen the movie. So I guess I’m not missing anything!
Susan says:
Going into this post, I was ready for tears and comments about how romantic it all was.
I ended up laughing with your comments, because they’re pretty much on par with everything I felt about the entire film.
“Is that romantic? Am I dead inside?” THAT got me! Exactly how I felt!
If you don’t care about/like the characters, every Nicholas Sparks’ story falls flat. I’ve never been remotely endeared by any of them, they were always off putting or unrealistic (the laying in the road part, one example). Why, isn’t it romantic to dangle from a ferris wheel until you say yes? Cripes, that creeped me out; it’s not romantic, it’s restraining order worthy. Imagine if he wasn’t boyishly endearing and was actually alarming and not typically attractive? Wouldn’t have been quite as cutesy.
I watched it once and semi watched it a second time before I called it quits. I just don’t get it.
Michelle says:
I feel like I jut wrote this. Basically my exact thoughts and feelings when I watched it.
Mr. Liz Lemon is my favorite. ????
Michelle says:
Oops, I shouldn’t comment from my phone with my fat thumbs,
And I guess emojis show up as question marks.
kathi g says:
so, totally with you on this! You’re too funny! Just one thing, I used to be anti-Gosling until I saw Crazy, Stupid Love. It kind of converted me. If you’ve never seen it, I highly recommend!
Kristen in CO says:
Same here! Hated this movie, and the Gos, but Crazy Stupid Love (his “big move”) also made me reconsider. My tolerance for/interest in seeing RG act. Not The Notebook. It blows.
Jordan says:
YES TO CRAZY STUPID LOVE. I was never a rom-com fan til that movie. It is smart, funny, and so so poignant. I already loved Ryan, but this is the movie where I fell in love with Emma Stone’s acting. One of my all-time favorite movies.
Amy C. says:
Alright shut that movie off now and go watch “Drive”. Classic, profound, surreal, epic, with just a wee hit of Elmer Fuddiness… Ryan Gosling RULES that movie!!!
My girls and I were having this discussion the other night regarding the benefits and drawback of owning a Ryan Gosling. Benefits: cuteness. Drawbacks: seems unstable, chick magnet (which means you couldn’t take him outside the house which may not be a bad thing but if you want to go get something to eat it could pose a problem), and he also has a face that seems to attract trouble for some reason. Like a guy would want to punch him in the face. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me.
Honestly, for a good stock of man an “American Graffitti” era Richard Dreyfuss is good fare. Think about it. Intelligent, philosophical, cute, short, funny, and despite his fame you can still be the star in the relationship.
So, yeah, what were we talking about again?
Heather says:
LOL!
miriam says:
More of these, I loved your live blogging of the movie! Do you take requests?
Heather says:
HA, sure!
Jordan says:
I’m not a romance-y type-esp. Nicholas Sparks. Bleh. So unrealistic and just too lovey dovey for me. I could never get through this movie, but the play-by-play cracked me up! Your picture at the end is FLAWLESS. Thanks for the laugh.
Terra says:
Bahahahahaha – LOVE this movie, but LOVE your play by play!
Norma DeLa Garza says:
I was driving with my niece when she was about 5 and tells me that she loved Ryan Gosling’s abs! Wha? Where do they get this stuff? Personally I love this movie…but I waited a long time to see it and already pretty much knew what was gonna happen. I started crying at the opening music and didn’t stop through the whole movie. I had a terrible migraine after that. I am now “banned” from watching it again.
Christine says:
All I took away from this movie is that Drew Barrymore should play the younger version of Gena Rowlands.
Annalisa says:
I hate Nicholas Sparks’ books, so of course I refuse to watch any movie based on his books. Sounds like I didn’t miss much.
nic S says:
Next thing I know you’re going to tell me you’ve never seen Titanic… Please review that love story scene by scene so I can laugh my ass off again.
Terri says:
OMG! You had me rolling. Thank you! I hated that movie! I feel so much better that another woman does too. I feel slightly less dead inside now!
Meg says:
I was in college when this movie came out, and had girlfriends who cried their brains out about this beautiful display of “true love.” I didn’t watch it until a year or so ago, as an adult, married for a bunch of years, and it made me roll my eyes so hard that I am now blind. Worst love story ever! I actually joked “I hope they all just die in the end” and then they DID! And my husband I laaaaughed, like the monsters that we are.
aqua6 says:
What timing!
https://gma.yahoo.com/real-life-notebook-couple-dies-hand-hand-224117516–abc-news-lifestyle.html