The Notebook arrived in 2004 and immediately swept viewers off their collective feet. For almost a decade now, fans have been uttering those timeless The Notebook quotes and it seems as if they can never get enough of the love story from Nicholas Sparks.
The bestselling author’s book is told via a perfectly captured page-to-screen adaptation by filmmaker Nick Cassavetes. For the three people who haven’t seen the film, the story chronicles the life-long love affair between Noah and Allie. A quartet of actors brilliantly portrays them at the beginning and ends of their romance -- Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams and James Garner and Gena Rowlands (who incidentally is the director’s mom!).
Although already out on DVD and Blu-Ray (and one of our Top 10 Romances of All-Time), Warner Bros. has released The Notebook: Ultimate Collector’s Edition that we can promise without a doubt… fans will adore! It contains a slew of extras, in addition to both the DVD and Blu-Ray of the film.
There are few films that possess the passionate fan base that The Notebook does, and The Notebook: Ultimate Collector’s Edition will only fan their fire for the wildly romantic film. The set is packed with romantic extras that are inspired by the film and allow the viewer to continue the “feel” of the film, long after the credits have rolled.
The highlights of the package include a vintage leather-style blank journal which allows you to create your own Notebook-type memories, as well as an antique golden locket and surprisingly beautiful postcard set featuring iconic scenes from the movie.
Bonus features abound and none are better than the audio commentary laid down by author Sparks. He wrote the book as a 28-year-old who was unhappy with his career trajectory and felt he never gave writing a chance. Months later, he emerged with the book that would catapult him to the top of the bestseller list, where he hasn’t looked back since. It’s fascinating to hear him talk so fondly about the novel that started it all in The Notebook audio commentary.
Fans will also treasure the deleted scenes from the movie, as they have proven a group of movie viewers who cannot get enough of the Gosling, McAdams, Garner and Rowlands tandem. To see scenes that didn’t make the cut only adds to the resonance of the entire The Notebook movie experience.
Four featurettes also make their mark, with each more interesting that the last.
All in the Family -- Nick Cassavetes explores the filmmaker's movie familial history, Nicholas Sparks: A Simple Story, Well Told chronicles the author’s journey from struggling writer to blockbuster success, Southern Exposure: Locating the Notebook takes viewers behind the scenes of the locales made famous by the film and finally, Casting Rachel and Ryan looks at how filmmakers and the casting director struck gold with these two, at the time, unheard-of performers.
Speaking of McAdams, The Notebook: Collector’s Edition also features her audition tape -- it is fascinating to say the least.