So, love it or hate it, there's no denying that The Notebook has earned its reputation as one of the most romantic movies of all time.
And even though it has become one of the ultimate romantic film clichés, we're not sure we'll ever get bored of the young couple's rollercoaster love story.
But, while Noah and Allie might seem like the ultimate couple goals, relationship experts aren't buying it.
According to Stylist, a group of romantic experts recently sat down with Time Out to discuss some of the best and worst romantic films of all time.
The list was surprising to say the least, but perhaps The Notebook was the most puzzling choice of all.
We know what you're thinking. How could a romantic expert of all people decide that this was a bad film?
Well, according to psychotherapist, Gupreet Singh, Nicolas Sparks' story is actually too perfect.
He explained: “Noah restores a house for Allie. He writes letter after letter waiting for her. They die holding hands. Talk about idealised love! If you believe in it you start to think: I shouldn’t settle for less.”
“But most average couples are nothing like that. We are humans, we are fallible. Love is imperfect because we are.”
Now, we're not saying he hasn't got a point, but isn't it nice to fantasise every once in a while?
The Notebook was never meant to be a factual retelling of true events, but instead a fictional account of love at its best and at its worst – and in that sense, we think it did a pretty good job.
Sure, most of us probably won't find anyone willing to send us handwritten letters every day for a year, but it's nice to see that this kind of true love really does exist – even if it is just up on the big screen.
Valentine's Day can either be the most swoon-worthy event in the calendar year for loved-up couples, or a Hallmark-card disaster for the broken hearted.
Whether you'll be heading on a candelit-dinner date with roses or cuddling up with your pet on the couch, we can all use a little romantic-comedy movie magic.
We've created a list of our film favourites for the loveliest day of the year…enjoy ladies.
1. Set It Up
Harper and Charlie, played by Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell, are plagued by cruel and hugely demanding bosses, until they decide to join forces and essentially trick them into falling in love with each other.
The biggest project of their young careers ensues, as their bosses will only fall for each other around their tight schedules, but will Harper and Charlie make a connection too?
Lucy Liu steals scenes as Kristen, Harper's insanely scary sports reporter boss. This movie is one of our favourite rom-coms ever, it somehow banishes clichés while remaining lovable at the same time.
2. To All The Boys I've Loved Before
The massively popular film is based on Jenny Han's trilogy, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and the Netflix movie caused quite the stir since its release.
Starring the adorable Lana Condor and Noah Centineo as teenagers who pretend to date in order to solve one young girl's letter-related disaster, you'll fall in love with this feature.
Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control when the five love letters written privately to every boy she’s ever loved are mysteriously mailed out, despite the fact that they were hidden in her bedroom…
3. La La Land
Who could forget this stunning movie from Academy Award-nominee Damien Chazelle.
La La Land tells the breathtakingly beautiful story of Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a dedicated jazz musician, struggle to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts.
The unique musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams; Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are unbelievable in their acting prowess and chemistry in this tale of love in LA.
4. Valentine's Day (of course)
Yet another American rom-com from veteran film-maker Gary Marshall; Valentine's Day shows a series of interconnected stories of L.A. residents (celebrities) who go through the highs and lows of love on Valentine's Day.
From first dates, long-time marriages, old flames and new crushes, the stories will melt your heart like Ben & Jerrys on the couch.
The all-star cast consists of Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Kathy Bates, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, Taylor Lautner, Anne Hathaway, Shirley MacLaine, Emma Roberts, and even Taylor Swift in her acting debut.
5. The Notebook
The Nicholas Sparks classic that has everyone reaching for the tissues, and which launched Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams from obscurity to stardom.
The pair also fell in love in real life while filming, so it's even more special.
Based in 1940s South Carolina, mill worker Noah falls for rich girl Allie but her parents force them apart. Noah leaves to serve in the second World War, and Allie finds love elsewhere. When Noah returns to their small town, their romance is far from over.
6. Crazy, Stupid, Love
Ryan Gosling just can't escape this round-up list, can he?
The hilarious and heart-warming film follows Cal, played by Steve Carell, as he undergoes a divorce from his wife Emily, played by Julianne Moore. Cal is still desperately in love with Emily, and his life is unravelling until he discovers Emily's infidelity.
Single at the age of 40, he finds Jacob (The charming Ryan Gosling), a handsome and youthful seducer who teaches Cal how to flirt with women again. Jacob is a bachelor of sorts, until his consistent co-star Emma Stone comes into the forefront. The pair really do sizzle on-screen together, but maybe it's just Ryan Gosling and anyone?
7. The Fault In Our Stars
Based on the critically-acclaimed YA book by John Green, the film follows Hazel Grace (Shailene Woodley), a young teenager diagnosed with cancer.
The 16-year-old meets and falls in love with Gus Waters, played by Ansel Elgort, after meeting him in a cancer support group.
Gus uses his invitation to meet Hazel's favourite author, Peter Van Houten, and brings her to Amsterdam to meet the recluse. Their love story becomes entangles by health problems, with often tragic circumstances. This one's a certified tear-jerker.
8. About Time
With an Irish star, what's not to love?
Domhnall Gleeson stars as Tim, who discovers the family secret at 21-years-old; the men in their family can time-travel.
Tim resolves to change his life by getting himself a girlfriend, Mary. Rachel McAdams plays his love interest, who falls in love with him after time-travel ensues.
As life goes on, Tim figures out that his special ability can't save himself or those he loves from ordinary and mundane human problems.
9. P.S I Love You
The movie that led to Gerard Butler apologising for the butchering of an Irish accent; Hillary Swank plays his co-star and widow, who finds a series of messages that serve to guide her new life.
Starting on her thirtieth birthday, Holly Kennedy receives the first in a series of letters written by her late husband, designed to ease her grief and encourage her to move forward after his tragic death.
Parts of it are filmed in Ireland, with stunning scenery and endless romance from Cecelia Ahern's novel.
10. The Holiday
Normally watched at Christmas, The Holiday also serves as a perfect flick to watch on the most romantic day of the year.
It's got Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet swapping houses, it's got Los Angeles and English countryside scenery, sunshine and snow, Jack Black and Jude Law; basically everything.
Depressed and suffering from unrequited love, Iris agrees to swap homes with similarly unlucky-in-love Californian Amanda for a break. Of course, both lovelorn ladies bump into local lads and sparks fly. Utterly romantic…
11. Love, Rosie
We can't curate a list of love-themed films without including Love, Rosie.
Best pals Rosie and Alex have known each other decades, but are suddenly separated when Alex moves to America to pursue a dream.
Can their friendship survive the distance, as well as each of their own personal turbulent love stories? Tune in to see Sam Claflin and Lily Collins light up the screen.
12. Maid in Manhattan
Jennifer Lopez at her best.
The classic New York City-based flick follows a mother-of-one, Marisa Ventura, who lives in the boroughs and works as a maid in a top Manhattan hotel.
A twist of fate leads to her identity being mistaken for that of a wealthy socialite, and she meets Christopher Marshall (Ralph Fiennes), the heir to a political dynasty.
He has no idea who she really is, but the pair fall deeply in love. When her identity is revealed, their worlds couldn't be further apart. Will their love withstand?
We're in LOVE with this list, maybe we'll skip that date and just binge-watch all 11 of these in a row?
All we need is chocolate, candles and a fluffy pet to keep us warm for the perfect movie night.
Happy Valentine's Day gals, don't forget to treat yourselves.
Congratulations are in order for our Mean Girls star, Rachel McAdams, as she appears to be pregnant with her second child.
The 41-year-old has been spotted coming out of a children’s clothing store, the Reckless Unicorn, in Los Angeles on Wednesday wearing a peach-coloured shirt dress, showing off an apparent baby bump.
The notoriously private actress already has a two-year-old son who she has yet to reveal the name of, with her boyfriend, screenwriter, Jamie Linden.
McAdams not having a social media presence means there’s very few photos or information about her private life. However, Rachel spoke fondly of motherhood in a rare interview with The Sunday Times in 2018.
“It's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, hands down," McAdams said. "[People say] your life is not your own anymore, but I had 39 years of me, I was sick of me, I was so happy to put the focus on some other person.”
She added, "I waited a long time [for motherhood]… It's just how it happened," she said. "And I didn't want to do it before it was the right time."
Most recently, Rachel filmed her latest movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, in Iceland and got to take her toddler along with her. “He'll never remember any of it, but I feel like somehow that might stick to his soul and his personality a little bit, so it was great to get to travel,” she told Entertainment Tonight.
She added, “We've been cuddled up for so long together that it was wonderful to go out into the world and get to work at the same time. I felt really lucky to be able to do that.”
There's nothing we love more than a good rom-com and The Notebook is just iconic.
From Rachel McAdams and Ryan Goslings fizzing chemistry to the cool 1940s fashion to teh absolute sob-fest of a finale, you can't go wrong with it.
Unless you're Netflix that is.
The streaming service has come under extreme fire on social media after fans were baffled at what appeared to be an alternate ending.
Alternate…ending…of The Notebook?!
No, it cant be: Noah and Allie dance, Allie remembers their epic love story for a millisecond and then forgets and they die peacefully in each others arms we're bawling so hard at this stage.
WOW RAGIN forgot Netflix cuts off the ending of the notebook !!! Fs
However, in Netflix' version, after Allie remembers their love, they are seen holding hands before the credits roll.
Obvs fans went mad on social media – and rightfully so.
One said, ''DO NOT EVEN DARE GIVE US YOUR WEIRD EDITED VERSION OF THE NOTEBOOK. That ending is sacred!''
While another wrote, ''The @netflix in the UK doesn't show the full ending to The Notebook & I'm actually about to riot.''
We hear you.
Things you should know…
– we did not edit the notebook
– an alternate version exists and was supplied to us
– we are getting to the bottom of it asap
– apparently some films have more than one ending?!
Netflix was alerted to all the dramz and took to Twitter to reassure viewers that they didn't edit the beloved flick.
They said that an alternate version exists and they played the one that they were given.
They soon updated the situation by writing, ''We've we've uploaded the correct (is it correct? who knows at this point) version so the familiar ending is restored.''
Well thank f*ck for that – now we're off to stock up on tissues and give the classic another watch.
Broadway is about to get a whole lot more romantic; it's been announced that The Notebook, AKA the most heart-string tugging film/novel of all time, is coming to the stage as a musical.
Singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson shared the news on NBC's Today Show yesterday, and revealed that she has been developing the musical for over a year.
The 2004 movie starred Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, and sparked a real-life love story between the pair as well as love blossoming on-screen.
The original novel was published in 1996 and shot Sparks to fame.
A producer on the NBC family drama This Is Us is writing the show, Bekah Brunstetter, and it will be a collaboration between her and Nicholas Sparks; the novel's original author.
The writer posted his delight on Twitter, saying that he is "thrilled" to be part of the team who will adapt the story to the stage.
The story follows a young couple in the 1940s who fall hopelessly and passionately in love, but are forced to part ways after turbulence between her family and Gosling's character.
They later reconnect, and the tale flicks between the 20th century and modern day, where the protagonist chronicles how time has impacted their lives in a tragic way.
Despite mediocre initial film reviews, the movie became a smash hit which has remained iconic in the romantic-drama genre.
Gosling and McAdams were relatively unknown at the time of filming, but their chemistry was undeniably. The pair met on set, and dated from 2005 until 2007, and again in 2008 before splitting up for good.
When people travel around the world, it's not uncommon for them to miss home. Many of us have been through it.
So, when this women, Meghan Coomes, worked in TV, she wanted a constant reminder of her family for when she had to travel.
“My family and I grew up hearing about my grandparents’ torrid love affair,” she told BuzzFeed.
“They were long-distance dating during WWII, and they wrote each other daily while apart — three years, three months, and four days.”
And from that, Meghan got a great idea.
She decided to use her grandparents' love letters, and make them into jewelery so she'd have something special on her for when she was on the road.
“I asked my grandma if I could use one of their letters to make a bracelet, so that I always had my family with me.
“She loved the idea. I used the back page of an original letter from New Year’s Eve in 1943.”
With that, Meghan made a necklace and ring and brought it everywhere with her.
She began having people compliment her on her jewelery constantly, and after a couple of years, Forever Yours, Agnes jewelery company was born.
With her business booming, Meghan now makes a copy of the letters and adheres them on to clear glass. She then adds jewels and stones to complete each piece.
Meghan's creations are absolutely gorgeous and we just love the Notebook-style beginning to her story.
Yesterday, we brought you confirmation that Channing Tatum and Alex Pettyfer pretty much couldn't STAND each other while on the set of Magic Mike.
But it seems hese two are not the first and most definitely not the last on co-stars to fall out behind the scenes.
We usually hear about celebrities falling in love on the set of movies, but it seems that it is just as common for celebrity co-stars to fall out.
1. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling in The Notebook
The Notebook is almost 10 years old (we know, we feel old too!) but it was only last year that the film's director actually revealed that the two on screen lovers just did not get on in real life.
Yep, the pair may have gone on to date for nearly four years after the film, but while on set Ryan wanted Rachel to be fired!
Apparently throughout the filming process, Ryan complained about Rachel and their lack of chemistry. We wonder what changed his mind?
2. Claire Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio in Romeo + Juliet
Despite their perfect performances on screen, insiders from the movie reported that Claire Danes got very frustrated with the young Leonardo throughout filming.
She found him so immature that she would do her best to avoid him when not doing a scene together. However, in hindsight Claire noted that the friction may have been caused by more than just Leo's boisterous personality.
"There was definitely a spark, but I don’t think either of us knew how to handle it. So, we sometimes sort of ignored each other. It was too big for us to really accept." So that chemistry was REAL.
3. Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrell in Sex and the City
Despite playing the ultimate in best friends on screen, this pair were far from it in real life. Apparently these two did not get on from day one of filming the popular Sex and the City franchise.
Though they decided to be civil towards one another, these two were defo not out getting cosmos after a long day at the office.
4. Lea Michele and Naya Rivera in Glee
There is not room for TWO divas on one show as this feud demonstrates. Back in April 2014, it was reported that these two actresses simply did not get on while filming Glee.
Apparently Naya was sick of Lea being a total diva and the young actress is planning to spill all the beans in an upcoming book. We wait with bated breath.
5. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing
Patrick's wife let us in on all the goss in his posthumous biography and the actor revealed that there was a lot of tension between these two stars while on the set of Dirty Dancing.
It seems he got more than a little impatient with her.
"She seemed particularly emotional, sometimes bursting into tears if someone criticised her. Other times, she slipped into silly moods, forcing us to do scenes over and over again when she’d start laughing. I didn’t have a whole lot of patience for doing multiple retakes."
6. Blake Lively and Leighton Meester in Gossip Girl
These two started out as bosom buddies just like their on screen characters. But also like Serena and Blair, Blake and Leighton were not immune to the odd off screen altercation.
It has been reported that these two cut friendship ties for good when Blake failed to reach out and congratulate Leighton on her engagement to Adam Brody.
Today Ryan Gosling turns 35 and to celebrate the actor's birthday we have five hot and adorable pictures of the star.
While we love how hunky Ryan is, we also love that he's not afraid to change up his look (he has been bald, platinum-haired and creepily mustached) for film roles.
From The Notebook to Crazy Stupid Love, Ryan never fails to nail the hotness factor:
1. Ryan with a dog (because it doesn't get much cuter than that):
2. Ryan in Crazy Stupid Love (because it doesn't get much hotter than that):
3. Ryan as a kid:
4. Ryan being adorable with his Blue Valentine daughter (which probably resembles what he's like with his real-life daughter, Esmeralda):
5. And of course, the epic MTV kiss with Amy McAdams:
While Netflix has managed to support our binge-watching addiction and supplies us with ample amounts of eyebrow-raising documentaries or brand new series to get lost it, sometimes we long for the comfort of something more familiar.
Everyone has their own favourite film that they would choose above all others. But, how likely are you to watch it when you can already recite every single line and now all the harmonies on the soundtrack?
Last week, Five Thirty Eight shared their findings of a survey that asked that exact question.
Following a survey that asked people to list the five films which they considered the most re-watchable, the top 25 were discovered.
Coming in at number one was StarWars.
The Wizard of Oz grabbed second place, while The Sound of Music, The Lord of the Rings and Gone With The Wind rounded out the top five spots.
Apparently we just cannot get enough of a good epic fantasy adventure as the majority of those surveyed admitted that they are willing to re-watch the Harry Potter series before The Notebook.
Finding Nemo also makes an appearance, providing further evidence that a squeal is badly needed as it came in before The Avengers, which came in at number 25 on the list.
When breaking down the results by gender, The Wizard of Oz and Lord of the Rings are still in the top five.
Still, there are some differences in taste: Films featured in the men’s top 20 but not the women’s include Pulp Fiction, The Matrix, Star Trek and Goodfellas. Films favored by women include Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, Grease and Titanic.
People of each gender also had a few films in their top 20 that didn’t make the overall top 25 and failed to appear on the other gender’s list. Men enjoy viewing Die Hard and Gladiator, repeatedly while women preferred Love Actually and You’ve Got Mail.
However, the one constant regardless of age or gender discrepancies was Star Wars. The sci-fi epic consistently featured in the top 10.
When Meath native Denise O'Reilly came upon a €20 note with a seriously romantic note scribbled on it, she had no idea who the owner was.
Denise posted a photo of the sweet love note on Facebook, hoping it would lead to some answers… and maybe a happy memory or two for the guy the message was meant for. Her post got over 16,000 shares and almost 3,000 likes, and eventually word reached the right ears,
Found this is my Purse this morning!!! Ah Christy She s you!!!!! Go get ur girl!!!!! Come on people and share!!!
But in reality, the story's ending is not quite as happy as we'd hoped.
Irish musician Christy Leech got in touch with the Anton Savage Show on Today FM to explain the backstory to the €20 note, which was meant for him but sadly never made it into his hands.
Here's what he had to say:
"Megan was the name I used to call my ex girlfriend. We went out for a year and a half. The name arose from when I misheard her name and thought she was Megan for our first week of dating. Then it stuck.
I'm a musician and while we were going out, I wrote her a song called 'It’s always been you.'
We broke up, she met someone new. After I saw the 20euro note on a FB post, I called her. She told me she had written it on a note she used to pay into one of my gigs about 6 months ago. I didn't know she was there. She told me she thought I'd get the cash directly but I obviously didn't. She took it that I didn't want to talk.
So, now we're in touch again but the situation is quite different."
This sounds like a real life version of Noah and Allie in The Notebook… we seriously hope these two give things another go!
If we had one complaint about the weepy romantic blockbuster that is The Notebook, it's that we never got to see any more of Noah and Allie's story after they finally got together.
Yes, of course we meet them again in their final days on earth, but what about everything that happened in between? Their marriage, their kids, their jobs… it's all a mystery.
Now though, that mystery is about to be solved with a new series. US TV network The CW is currently developing a show based on the 2004 sleeper hit, and it promises to fill in the blanks for us all.
The new project will "follow the romantic journey of the two beloved central characters Noah and Allie, at the outset of their blossoming relationship as they build their lives and their future together against the backdrop of the racial politics, economic inequities, and social mores of post-World War II of the late 1940s in North Carolina," according to The CW.
In the words of Noah himself:
While we won't get to see Ryan Gosling getting drenched in the rain as he smooches Rachel McAdams, we're sure whoever does step in to take on the roles will be equally charming (and hopefully as handsome).
Author Nicholas Sparks, who wrote the bestselling book behind the film, will be an executive producer on the series, which is currently in development but has no start date as yet.
As for the poignant end to Allie and Noah's story which sees Rachel McAdam's character end up in a nursing home, the TV network behind say the series most likely won't touch on that…. but they don't know for certain.
"I don’t believe we’re going to see the older couple—what they become,” The CW president Mark Pedowitz told reporters at the Television Critics Association’s press tour in Los Angeles. “But things change [in development]."
Whatever way it works out, we will definitely be giving this new show a look.
