How ‘The Notebook’ influenced how we see romance
Morissette and Laurence Mossman as Middle Allie and Middle Noah (resized).
Sometime in the mid-2000s, Laurence Mossman watched “The Notebook” at the urging of his then-girlfriend. Almost every girl he knew was raving about it, he recalls, and he was just like, “Ugh, a rom-com? Whatever.” But he relented, of course.
If he went into the film feeling reluctant, he came out with a newfound disdain for Ryan Gosling. “What I remember thinking after was, ‘I hate you, Ryan Gosling—you have set the bar so high for other men!’” the Filipino-New Zealand theater actor tells Lifestyle Inquirer.
For better or worse, “The Notebook,” the iconic romantic drama based on Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling novel of the same title, helped popularize a specific ideal of love, and may have, in turn, informed the romantic expectations of people who came of age during that era.
All the yearning
Starring Gosling and Rachel McAdams, the story presents love as a matter of destiny—something that survives time and distance and endures well into old age. And if you have never stopped off a Ferris wheel, written hundreds of letters, rebuilt a house, and kissed in the rain, have you even loved?
“It’s all the yearning!” Filipino singer-actress Morissette chimes in as she looks back on her own experience of watching “The Notebook” for the first time. “I mean the Taj Mahal was built out of love.”
To open its 2026–2027 season, Theatre Group Asia will stage the international premiere of “The Notebook: The Musical” in Manila this September at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. Featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson with a book by Bekah Brunstetter, the production follows protagonists Allie and Noah across different stages of their lives.
Now, as Morissette and Mossman take on the roles of Middle Allie and Middle Noah, they revisit the story with the benefit of age, experience, and hindsight. We sit down with them to talk about how “The Notebook” has influenced their ideas of romance, how those ideas have evolved over time, and why the story continues to resonate with audiences.
What’s it like reading or rewatching “The Notebook” now that you’re older and more mature?
Morissette: I was still a teenager when I first saw it—is that giving away my age?—and I didn’t have much experience. Now, preparing for the role—reading the book and rewatching the film—I feel like, gosh, it’s very personal. Because now I know what it’s like to fight for what you want and trust that you made the right choice.
Laurence Mossman: It was interesting seeing it as a teenager, then watching it again as an adult and relating to the characters differently. I definitely related to Young Noah at the time. I felt I wasn’t enough for someone’s parents, but I was going to fight anyway.
Now that I’m older, I relate to Middle Noah and view love in a different way. I’m still optimistic and idealistic when it comes to love, but with experience and maturity now.
Do you think “The Notebook” had an impact on how you view love and romance now?
M: I’m more into someone’s upbringing and finding out if he’s family-oriented and someone I can trust. But I do feel like “The Notebook” set standards for a lot of women—na dapat ganito ‘yong guy na ipaglalaban ako. I would like to believe that there are still a lot of men like Noah out there.
LM: You could argue that the standards get too high when you have Hollywood setting the expectations for you. But at the same time, if you care for someone enough, you will fight for it and make your partner feel loved.
How have your views changed?
LM: It’s about showing up, and it takes work. It doesn’t always need a big Hollywood moment like that ferris wheel scene. It’s about the little things you do consistently every day.
M: I’m married now (to songwriter-producer Dave Lamar). Some people think that once you get married, life becomes all butterflies. But it doesn’t. It’s hard work, choosing each other every day. I’m just fortunate I was blessed by God with someone like Noah who really fought for love. And we’re here now!
Do you have any favorite scenes? Are we seeing the famous kiss-in-the-rain moment?
LM: We’re not yet sure how they’re going to shape this production. There will be expectations on certain scenes, but I’m excited about making this version our own.
What can you tell us about the music? Any songs you’re looking forward to performing?
LM: Ingrid wrote a beautiful musical; songs that aren’t just about the high notes, but human stories. She’s such an honest, heart-on-your-sleeve kind of songwriter.
M: I have studied and performed Middle Allie’s big song, “My Days,” which is very beautiful and powerful.
The middle chapter is about commitment and compromise. What does it take to build chemistry onstage?
LM: I think it’s going to be easy because Mori is such a wonderful and open person. She’s a hard worker and someone who wants to do her best. Part of the rehearsal process is learning to trust each other, so you can put yourself out there, make choices, and make mistakes until you find the character.
Why do you think “The Notebook” still resonates with audiences today?
LM: It’s a very human story—about love, finding the person you love, fighting for it, keeping it, and realizing it’s not always a straightforward journey. I believe people will find parts of themselves in Allie and Noah, regardless of their stage in life.
M: I think we have all gone through a rebellious phase where we wanted to fight for something even if we hadn’t seen the full picture yet. Then you mature and understand. Playing Allie now, I’m like, “Oh, I get it now.” You can’t just snap and say, “Marry me!”
And you said it hits close to home.
M: I personally went through all of that in my own love story. So seeing that in “The Notebook,” I thought, “This was me. This is me.”
I just hope people get to keep relationships that last many decades—a whole lifetime.
