 The "after 7 years Allie and Noah" scenes were shot first and then  the crew/cast went on a Christmas break. Ryan Gosling (I) (qv) had  to lose the beard and 20lbs hed had as the older Noah and come back  to play the young Noah. Rachel McAdams (qv) and  Ryan Gosling (I) (qv) were rather shy and unsure around each other  in the "after 7 years" scenes but were more comfortable together in  the young Allie and Noah scenes.