On the 20th anniversary of the beloved classic The Notebook, the film’s director Nick Cassavetes revealed a poignant detail about the star, Gena Rowlands. Celebrations were bittersweet as Cassavetes shared that his mother, the esteemed actor Gena Rowlands, has been battling Alzheimer’s disease for the past five years. This revelation draws a striking parallel to her iconic role in the film, where she portrayed an older version of Rachel McAdams’ character, Allie, who also suffered from Alzheimer’s.
Gena Rowlands’ Real-Life Battle with Alzheimer’s
In a touching interview with Entertainment Weekly, Nick Cassavetes disclosed his mother’s condition, highlighting the eerie coincidence between her real-life struggle and her character in The Notebook. “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,” Cassavetes revealed. He continued, “She’s in full dementia. And it’s so crazy — we lived it, she acted it, and now it’s on us.”
The news comes as a heartfelt revelation, considering Rowlands’ personal connection to the disease. Her own mother had also suffered from Alzheimer’s, making the role of Allie particularly significant and challenging for her. In a 2004 interview with O magazine, Rowlands mentioned how witnessing her mother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s deeply influenced her decision to take on the role. She described the experience as “particularly hard” and noted that she might not have accepted the role if her son, Nick, hadn’t directed the film.
The Legacy of The Notebook and Its Impact
Reflecting on the two decades since The Notebook was released, Cassavetes shared fond memories from the set. He recalled an episode where his mother was asked to reshoot a scene, and despite her initial disbelief, she delivered an outstanding performance. “We go to reshoots, and now it’s one of those things where mama’s pissed and I had asked her, ‘Can you do it, mom?’ She goes, ‘I can do anything’. And she indeed did.”
The enduring success of The Notebook is a testament to its timeless appeal and the incredible performances by its cast. Cassavetes expressed his pride in the film, stating, “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. It seems to have worked and I’m very proud of it.”
As fans celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Notebook, the revelation about Gena Rowlands’ battle with Alzheimer’s adds a poignant layer to the film’s legacy, reminding us of the deep connections between art and life.