The Notebook is a 2004 Dramatic film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The film stars Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, and Gena Rowlands and is directed by Rowlands' son Nick Cassavettes. Everyday in their nursing home, "Duke" (James Garner) reads from his notebook to Allie (Gena Rowlands) about their past love, hoping her memory will overcome her senile dementia, though he been told that it is bad for both of their health conditions. In the summer of 1940, Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) met the girl of his dreams, Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) at the carnival and forced her to go on a date with him by threating to fall from the ferris wheel. This action began a love so intense that even their fighting couldn't break them up. But their financial differences and their futures ahead of them tore them apart, and though it never really ended, they went their separate ways reluctantly. Seven years later, Noah is on his own and has restored the perfect home that catches the eyes of millionaires. Allie is engaged to a wealthy lawyer, at which her parents are pleased. But when Allie returns to the old town to see Noah again, they rekindle an old flame that never burned out.