Diary of a passion It is one of those romantic films that have left a mark in the hearts of many viewers. Directed by Nick Cassavetes and based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparksthis love story between Noah and Allieperformed by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, has become part of the pantheon of romantic cinema classics. Over the years, various secrets and curiosities were revealed about the production and the actors who participated in the film. These are some of the most interesting:
One of the most iconic moments in the movie is when Noah asks Allie: “What do you want? What do you want?”. What few know is that this phrase was improvised by Gosling on the set. The director, Cassavetes, commented that he knew immediately that this line had to remain in the film. “It became one of the most iconic things in the movie that wasn’t in the script. “He just knew it,” he said. Gosling’s improvisation and naturalness undoubtedly contributed to this scene becoming a memorable moment in cinema.
Before Rachel McAdams became Allie, another strong contender for the role was singer Britney Spears. The pop star, who had worked with Gosling on the Mickey Mouse Club, was seriously considered for the role. “I haven’t really seen her since we were 12, so she’s grown up, but she was actually really good,” Gosling recalled of her chemistry test with Spears. Although McAdams ended up landing the role, curiosity remains about what the film would have been like with the star of “Toxic” as the female lead.
The on-screen chemistry between Gosling and McAdams was undeniable, even though their relationship wasn’t perfect off-camera. “We weren’t throwing Ming vases at each other, so it wasn’t hate, but our relationship wasn’t what it looked like on screen,” McAdams confessed in 2013. However, the actors began a romantic relationship two years after meet, living a love that, according to Gosling, was “much more romantic” than their characters. They dated for three years before splitting in 2009, but the film will always be remembered as the beginning of their romance.
There was a time when Tom Cruise could have the role of Noah. After acquiring the rights to the novel in 1996, Steven Spielberg showed interest in directing the film and had Cruise in mind for the lead role. However, scheduling conflicts prevented this from happening and the project stalled for years until it was taken up by Nick Cassavetes, who immediately thought of Ryan Gosling for the role. The initial choice of director was met with skepticism by the studio, but was ultimately approved, leading to a memorable performance from the Canadian actor.
What many do not know is that the plot of Diary of a passion is based on a true story. The novel’s author, Nicholas Sparks, was inspired by his then-wife’s grandparents, Cathy Cote, who were together for more than 60 years. This real inspiration added a layer of authenticity and emotionality to the narrative, turning a fiction into a moving representation of lasting love.
Talent runs in the Cassavetes family. To find the right actress to play the older version of Allie, Nick Cassavetes didn’t have to look far, as his mother, the legendary actress Gena Rowlands, took on the role. The photos shown of Allie and Noah in the film are actually personal images of Rowlands and her husband, with the face of James Garner retouched. Rowlands confessed to Variety in 2016 that she was surprised by the film’s lasting success and attributed its impact to its depiction of a love that can last a lifetime.
While Noah and Allie’s passionate kiss in the rain is considered one of the best in movie history, it wasn’t exactly a fun experience for the stars. “We just wanted to protect ourselves from the rain. It was very cold,” McAdams revealed. “That dress was made for the movie, but a lot of the things I wore were rented and were actually from the 1940s. A lot of it was falling apart,” he concluded.
From Ryan Gosling’s memorable improvisations to Tom Cruise and Britney Spears’ unexpected casting considerations, every secret and curiosity adds an extra layer to this story’s charm.
