Notebook, The (2004, USA) C-123m. SCOPE *** D: Nick Cassavetes. Starring Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Gena Rowlands, Sam Shepard, Joan Allen, James Marsden. Romantic drama based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks about Garner, who reads a story to Rowlands in a nursing home. The tale is about a love affair in the 1940s between Gosling and McAdams, who are from different social backgrounds. Can they find true love and happiness? The romance may be sappy at times, but it's extremely well acted and touching. Recommended.