Life Imitating 'Notebook' Art

This is a sad example of life imitating art or should I say Life Imitating 'Notebook" Art.

Award Winning Actress Gena Rowlands, a legend of the screen whose career has spanned nearly seven decades including the role of The Notebook playing the role as the older Allie while actress Rachel McAdams plays the same character as the young Allie has been privately diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Her son, director, and actor Nick Cassavetes, shared the news with Entertainment Weekly while looking back on working together on The Notebook for its 20th anniversary.

Cassavetes said to EW:

"I got my mom to play older Allie, and we spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer's and wanting to be authentic with it, and now, for the last five years, she's had Alzheimer's. She's in full dementia. And it's so crazy — we lived it, she acted it, and now it's on us."

Entertainment Weekly June 25, 2024

The Notebook was based on a novel by author Nicholas Sparks. The novel was Sparks's debut in 1996. Eight years after the book's release, the novel was adapted into a film. Directors Steven Spielberg and Martin Campbell were set to direct The Notebook but were replaced by Nick Cassavetes a year later. Cassavetes cast his mother Gena who was 74 years old at the time to play as older Allie alongside late actor James Garner as older Noah. The film was released on June 25, 2004, becoming a cult classic hit praising actors including Rachel McAdam and Ryan Gosling who played young Allie and young Noah, and received accolades including the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress which Rowlands won for.

Fun Fact: Before Rachel McAdams got the part as Allie, Pop star Britney Spears auditioned for the role as Allie was close to being cast.

In a 2004 interview with O magazine, Rowlands opened up about how her mother's struggle with the disease impacted her decision to play Allie.

"This last one — The Notebook, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks — was particularly hard because I play a character who has Alzheimer's. I went through that with my mother, and if Nick hadn't directed the film, I don't think I would have gone for it — it's just too hard. It was a tough but wonderful movie."

O Magazine, 2004

Rowlands's mother and Cassavetes's grandmother who is also an actress Lady Rowlands also diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Lady passed away in 1999.

Cassavetes echoed these sentiments to EW, revealing one bittersweet memory from their time together making the film. He recalls showing the finished cut to studio executives, who gave the note that they needed Rowlands to cry more at the end when her character finally remembers who she is and comes back to her longtime love, Noah, played by James Garner. When the director had to tell his mom they needed to do some light reshoots accordingly, the veteran actress was not pleased. "

Ultimately, Cassavetes is proud of the film that he and his mother made together — which he says "holds up pretty good" after 20 years. "It's always a shock to hear that as much time has gone by as it has, but it makes sense. I'm just happy that it exists," he says, adding, "It seems to have worked and I'm very proud of it." In 2015, Rowlands received an honorary Oscar for her extensive work in film and it was her last appearance seen on screen.

Sending prayers to Gena and her family hopefully, they will stay strong for Gena!!!!

All sources from Entertainment Weekly