After 20 Years, I Can’t Believe I’m Team Lon in The Notebook Love Triangle!

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The romantic tale between Noah and Allie, as depicted in “The Notebook,” is legendary, whether you’ve watched the 2004 film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ novel or not. These characters are iconic, and if you haven’t seen them passionately kissing in the rain, you must have lived under a rock! Initially, I thought I grasped the inherent magnetism between Noah and Allie, which is why I didn’t feel compelled to rewatch the movie. However, upon recent viewing, I was taken aback by my evolving perspective on Allie’s love triangle involving both Noah and Lon.

This month, I chose to revisit “The Notebook” on Netflix since it’s been 20 years since my initial viewing. The memorable duo of Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling) from this non-romantic comedy caught my attention again. Interestingly enough, I had forgotten about Lon, played by James Marsden, who was a temporary stand-in for Noah in Allie’s life. After rewatching the movie, it’s hard to imagine that I was once a fan of Noah!

In The Noah Vs. Lon Debate, I Always Thought Noah Was The Better Man, Until Now

It took little time for me to realize that there’s a significant discussion about who Allie ultimately chose between the two men. Some people have voiced discontent for years that Allie picked Noah, whereas James Marsden’s character from the movie is still often labeled as the “jerk.” Upon rewatching it, I find myself astonished that anyone would fall into the latter category, and I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t experienced it personally.

It seems that Lon’s absence from Allie’s narrative, as well as my own memory, became effortless due to the undeniable fact that Noah and Allie were destined for each other. Their intense passion made it clear.

Allie yearned for a life beyond the monotonous one with the wealthy man her parents favored. Instead, she was drawn to this unconventional character who’d teeter on Ferris wheel edges if she refused him and crafted Mojo Dojo Casa Houses with his own hands, hoping she might return to him someday.

Also, Noah knew she loved to paint.

Reflecting on my past, two decades ago, watching The Notebook was a significant experience for me. The scene where Allie shared her passion for painting and Lon admitted he wasn’t aware, left me heartbroken. At that point in life, I was navigating the complexities of young adulthood and a relationship status that was more confusing than clear, so I found it hard to comprehend how Allie could marry someone unaware of her love for painting.

Initially, my feelings differed, but I choose to extend understanding to myself and others who were once supporters of Noah, as the transformation of both Noah and Allie, particularly Noah’s selfless efforts during his last phase (period, not sure about duration) to help Allie recall fragments of time, leaves me in a state of both tender affection and heartrending sorrow. It becomes quite evident in this narrative who we ought to support as readers.

Noah And Allie’s Relationship Just Seemed So Toxic

There’s no denying that tenacity can be admirable, but I found Noah’s actions at the carnival less than charming. Despite Allie clearly expressing her disinterest, he relentlessly pursued her. He even went so far as to hang from a Ferris wheel until she agreed to go out with him. This persistence may have been romanticized, but it felt more like an unwelcome intrusion to me.

In today’s perspective, using death or dismemberment as a form of romantic intensity in earlier times is clearly harmful and toxic. It was hard to swallow, but considering its setting in the 1940s and fictional nature, I could overlook it initially. However, upon seeing them as a couple, I didn’t find their relationship any more wholesome or healthy.

In simpler terms, their interactions often involved loud quarrels, with Allie frequently resorting to physical aggression towards Noah, such as pushing or slapping. This dynamic might suggest a tumultuous relationship, and it’s worth questioning whether it’s more accurately described as passionate or abusive. If I find myself pondering this question, it might indicate that I’m not fully engaged with their relationship as I should be.

During the years that Allie was no longer with Lon, we’re unable to witness if they maintained their bond and started a family, nor can we confirm if they managed to shed some of their less healthy behaviors as they grew older. However, it appears that such issues were not a prominent aspect of Lon’s life.

I Kept Waiting For Lon’s Ugly Side To Come Out

Prior to viewing The Notebook again, I struggled to recall the specifics of Lon and Allie’s relationship conclusion, assuming that he had done something unsavory to make us dislike him and solidify our allegiance towards Noah. However, it turned out I was mistaken. We were actually meant to remain sympathetic towards Lon.

In the midst of a meeting at his office, Lon found himself unexpectedly greeted by Allie. Rather than expressing any disruption, he warmly invited her to drop in anytime without prior notice, even going so far as to clear out the room to focus on whatever business she had brought. Later, when Allie mentioned she needed to step away from town for some personal time, Lon expressed concern for her well-being, but when she assured him she was fine, he simply responded affirmatively.

Then go. Take your time, do whatever you need to do.

It seems like he wasn’t showing signs of jealousy or insecurity. Instead, he wanted her to understand what she desired so she would be prepared for their marriage. Even after learning about her staying with Noah, he didn’t react angrily or accuse her of infidelity. He expressed that he could harm Noah, confront him, or leave Allie, but each option meant losing her in some way.

His true wish, rather harshly put, was for her to pick either option, as he preferred exclusivity over sharing her. (How unkind!) It was heart-wrenching to hear him express this sentiment.

I don’t want to have to convince my fiancée that she should be with me.

Was Allie’s affection for painting driven by it being her genuine passion, or was she drawn to it as a means of coping when her life became chaotic? Initially, she found contentment in her relationship with Lon and had no inclination towards painting again until she spotted Noah in the news. It wasn’t until she had fully betrayed Lon that she took up painting once more.

As a movie buff looking back, I admit I underestimated Lon not knowing Allie at first. His jest about her parents liking him before he proposed was more than just a joke; it was an uncanny insight that she wouldn’t wed him due to her parents’ fondness for him.

If you marry me, then you will have lost the lifelong battle of defiance against them.

Ultimately, Allie and Noah found themselves together, and it seemed like fate had planned it that way. Whether Lon was a better fit for Allie is debatable, but he certainly deserved more in return. Here’s to hoping he applied the emotional maturity he gained from their relationship with someone who cherished him as deeply as he loved her.

If you’re yearning for a nostalgic journey to one of the most beloved films from the 2000s and wish to reexperience Allie, Noah, and Lon’s enchanting tale, you can now find The Notebook on Netflix. It might be that with time, your perspective on their romantic story has evolved as well.

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2025-07-14 13:11