U.K. fans of The Notebook got an unwelcome surprise this week from Netflix when the UK version of the streaming platform decided to give viewers the alternate ending they never knew they didn’t want.
why did netflix change the ending of the notebook the best part of watching it is having your heart break at the end ?
— katie (@katiesullivaan) January 14, 2019
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, The Notebook tells the decades-long love story of working-class Noah (Ryan Gosling) and socialite Allie (Rachel McAdams). It’s your essential star-crossed-lovers story, set in the 1940s as the U.S. prepares to enter World War II. Noah goes off to war, and Allie marries someone more in line with her parents’ wishes. Years later, the two find their way back together. Fast forward to the present: Allie has dementia, and Noah pretty much spends his days retelling her their love story on a constant loop. *sigh*
The original (only acceptable) final scene of the movie shows the couple sharing their last breath together in bed. But apparently that was just too much for the Netflix execs across the pond. The new, edited ending shows Noah and Allie happily holding hands while gazing out at a lake.
Yep, you read that right. Considering that much of the 2004 film’s charm hails from its ability to utterly break your whole heart, it’s unclear why the platform opted to foist this ambiguous and less heart-wrenching ending upon fans.
Whatever the reason, fans are not happy. Read some of their Twitter reactions below.
If you want to watch The Notebook on @NetflixUK, don’t. They cut the ending. #thenotebook #netflix #itsthereasonyouwatchthenotebook #ffs pic.twitter.com/PPZQQaOv7R
— Sophie Ashwood (@sophieashwood) January 13, 2019
I’m not big into romantic movies but I have seen #thenotebook and @netflix what you did wasnt ok that ending was beautiful it’s all I can ever hope for in my marriage so when I finally eat dirt I can go with the one I love dont you dare take that away! Put it back!
— Huggydaddy (@huggydaddy) February 25, 2019
Emails @netflix to cancel my mofo’n subscription!You are NOT about to just ruin my favorite movie like that ☝?! After years of being a loyal Netflix customer I have been left no option but to fully commit to @PrimeVideo#netflixruinedthenotebook#TheNotebook#Netflix @NetflixFilm
— PlainJane_F (@DaOrigPlainJane) February 25, 2019
Netflix has not yet commented on the reasons behind the change, but we can only hope that when The Notebook drops in the U.S. on Friday it’ll be in its beloved, unadulterated form.
Photo: New Line Cinema
