P.S. I Love You (2007)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Richard LaGravenese

Writers (WGA):

Richard LaGravenese (screenplay) and
Steven Rogers (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

21 December 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Sometimes there's only one thing left to say.

Plot:

A young widow discovers that her late husband has left her 10 messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life.

Plot Keywords:

Letter | Widow | Birthday | Friendship | Chauffeur

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Nov. 10	8:00 AM	MAX
Fri. Nov. 20	4:40 PM	MAX

Cast

Hilary Swank	...	Holly
Gerard Butler	...	Gerry
Lisa Kudrow	...	Denise
Gina Gershon	...	Sharon
James Marsters	...	John
Kathy Bates	...	Patricia
Harry Connick Jr.	...	Daniel
Nellie McKay	...	Ciara
Jeffrey Dean Morgan	...	William
Christopher Whalen	...	George
Dean Winters	...	Tom
Anne Kent	...	Rose Kennedy
Brian McGrath	...	Martin Kennedy
Sherie Rene Scott	...	Barbara
Susan Blackwell	...	Vicky

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual references and brief nudity.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Ireland:12A | South Korea:15 | UK:12A | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:o.Al. | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Norway:A | Sweden:Btl | Hong Kong:IIA | France:Unrated | Argentina:13 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-3 | Brazil:12 | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

Alcon Entertainment

Trivia:

The letter that Gerry sends his parents, which is seen only briefly, reads: "Dear Mum & Dad, Well, Doc says there's not much time so I thought I'd write to you, seeing how bad we Kennedys are with modern day contraptions like telephones. Tell Dad to not lay about and to take care of his legs - keep them walking. I always think of Dad walking across the farm yelling after the hands too lazy to keep the chickens fed. And you... yelling at Dad to tre... a Father's hand..." The rest cannnot be seen.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Holly and her friends are in the boat and they all have their life vests inflated, when Holly's first opens, the blow pin cap is off. In the next scene that zooms in on her face, the cap is on.

Quotes:

Holly Kennedy: Will you listen to him?
Vicky: What?
Holly Kennedy: He's obviously worried about this. Look at him... he's pale.
Vicky: Who are you to tell me how to talk to my husband?
Holly Kennedy: I'm saying you shouldn't push this on him if he doesn't want to do it
Vicky: I'll push whatever the hell I want on him. He's my husband. I want this apartment, we're doing this.
Holly Kennedy: Say no Ted!
Vicky: It is amazing to me that you are still talking. Ted don't listen to her.
Holly Kennedy: Ted she's being a tyrrant. She's got your balls on one of those things that you know uh cling back and forth. You know what i mean?
Vicky: You bitch!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-12-22)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Got Me Like Oh

P.S. Move On

In a poignant scene Gerald Butler's spirit of Gerry confesses to Hilary Swank's Holly, "I'm not asking you to remember me…" and to move on. Although being a little too long, Writer and Director Richard LaGravenese's "P.S. I Love You" is a whimsical and surprisingly touching romantic comedy about life continuing forward. Swank and LaGravenese have collaborated before on "Freedom Writers" as evidenced in the movie's comfortable and sturdy feel. Hilary Swank is great in this romantic comedy, an edgy departure for the actor. Swank thrives--she never forces the humor, completely natural. She embodies a humanity and spirit in Holly that makes her vulnerable and funny in the story's context. Gerald Bulter is boldly charming as Holly's late husband Gerry, the Irishman full of life and dreams. Swank and Butler have a wondrous chemistry that smooths out the rougher edges of LaGravenese and Steve Rogers screenplay based on the novel by Wendy Finerman.

Even with its over wrought indulgences, "P.S. I Love You" rewards the narrative payoff. Wisely on the part of LaGravenese and Rogers, the catharsis opts for the lyrical and realm of possibility. The performances are stellar. Academy Award Winner Kathy Bates is awesome as Holly's mother Patricia. Seeing fellow Oscar Winner Swank and Bates together is truly something special. There is a heartbreaking scene where Swank's Holly breaks down to her mother saying, "I'm alone!" Later Bates's Patrica says to her daughter, "…If you're all alone, we're all together with you in that, too." So even with its intentional quirks and cheesy trappings-- all is forgiven, because ultimately "P.S. I Love You" is about the courage to love again and live life.

As "P.S" opens Holly is furious that Gerry told her mother at dinner that they are not planning on having kids right now. Although accurate, Holly is still livid. Holly laments that she is waiting for her life to start. Gerry reminds, "We are in life…" Transparent to us: Gerry and Holly are soul mates—the great love of each other's life. Fast forward several months, Gerry has died of a brain tumor. After the wake, Holly discovers that Gerry has arranged for the delivery of his letters all making requests of Holly. Unable or perhaps unwilling to move on after her loss, this may not be the best thing for Holly. Or is it a way for Holly to discover life anew?

Much of the movie's charm derives from Holly's trip to Gerry's Irish homeland, and her loyal friends. Lisa Kudrow plays Denise, Holly's gal pal who is crassly determined to hunt down a single, straight, and employed man—a crusade seemingly more difficult than it seems. Kudrow is at her scattered and hysterical best. Hot and sexy Gina Gershon plays other gal pal Sharon. Gershon is deceivingly strong and smart with the apparently vapid Sharon, who really possesses a depth of character. In a surprising moment in what initially feels like a frivolously long fishing scene with all three women, reminds Holly that her friends are moving on with their lives. Holly's trip to Ireland is a beautiful interlude that represents an eloquent return to the traditional and solid. Here LaGravenese brilliantly orchestrates his story of love everlasting and regret. Hilary Swank amazingly balances the suffering and resolute spirit in Holly. She too is brilliant and absolutely beautiful. Her smile just lights up your soul, and her anguish strikes an emotional chord. Gerald Butler is at his charismatic best. Butler also expertly tempers his charm with a touching and gentle compassion.

"P.S. I Love You" is one of the best romantic comedies in a long while, that has a great love story. Richard LaGravenese tells a wistful and touching tale with amazing performances and chemistry by Hilary Swank and Gerald Butler. Take a chance on "P.S. I Love You".