P.S. I Love You
(2008)But in the weeks and months that follow, touchingly romantic letters from Gerry are delivered in surprising ways, each sending her on a new adventure and each signing off in the same way; ‘P.S. I Love You’.
Holly's mother and best friends begin to worry that Gerry's letters are keeping Holly tied to the past, but in fact, each letter is pushing her further into a new future. With Gerry's words as her guide, Holly embarks on a journey of rediscovery in a story about marriage, friendship and how a love so strong can turn the finality of death into a new beginning for life.
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Directed by Richard LaGravenese ('Freedom Writers')
Starring Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow, Gina Gershon, Kathy Bates, Harry Connick Jr., James Marsters
Written by Richard LaGravenese, Steven Rogers (based on the novel by Cecelia Ahern)
Flicks Review
BY Flicks Writer
Sometime during the main title, beloved Gerry dies and we are immediately thrown into a memorial service at an Irish pub, where it seems tradition to farewell a soul by walking up to a photo, saying a pithy remark, and consuming a shot of whiskey. I was quite relieved that Gerry was dead within the first five minutes, naively forgetting that he was sure to turn up in flashbacks, and also as part of Holly’s imagination. Letters mysteriously arrive from him post-death encouraging her to do such banal tasks as throwing out all his old stuff, and to cut loose by singing kareoke.
Gerry never, ever, refers to Holly by her name, instead calling her Baby (pronounced ‘Baybee’) all the time, e.g. “Make sure my baybee has a good time.” I’m not sure Hillary Swank is the right sort of actress to be in this sort of film. She delves into the drama too deeply and her character ends up whiny and dull. She’s no fun.
Unsurprisingly, the film capitalizes on the world’s fascination with all things Irish. There is a tin whistle on the soundtrack, and an assumption that Irish men are handsome and like to play guitars in pubs while working part time as a farmhand and fitting in one day a week as a coastguard.
All of the above criticism, however, may be discredited if you are of a certain mindset that finds reward in tacky weepies. You may well be manipulated by this guilty pleasure more than I was. Swank and Butler are certainly photogenic, and the unchallenging story could be a perfect night out for fat girls, lonely spinsters, or those whose boyfriend has just carked it.
Reviewed by Andrew Hedley (Not female)
The Peoples' Reviews
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P.S. I Love You
I really liked it, as did my sister, but then again, I'm a real girl who likes that kind of thing... I laughed and cried, and laughed again ... and very much enjoyed the spunky irishmen ;-) So if you're a sucker for chick flicks i would definately recommend it, but otherwise i wouldn't suggest you watch it.
Warning - go with your girly friends and take a large box of tissues. It's great visually - verrrry nice actors! Very emotional.
Theres nothing like a damn good cry.
I read the book a few years ago and really enjoyed it so I went in knowing I'd need the tissue... and I did.
I am still unsure as to why the casting people chose Hillary Swank, she's certainly not who I would have chosen but she doesn't ruin it and is supported by a great cast. Handsome men with accents too.
It's not exactly the same as the book but close enough for you not to care that much.
Recommended but don't make your boyfriend/husband sit through it.
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The Press Reviews
23%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Men, be warned: while many a romantic comedy can be enjoyed by both sexes, this really isn't one of them. Full Review
"B.S. I Love You" would be a more accurate title. Full Review
The title could have been PS I'm a Seriously Creepy Weirdo, and the necrophiliac high concept would work, with just a little tweaking, for a psychological horror film. Full Review
You could go see "P.S. I Love You," or you could hit yourself on the head with a meat mallet -- it depends on the amount of time and money you want to devote to what amounts to roughly the same experience. Full Review
This sweet little film will make you laugh and cry, but once it's over you'll feel a bit of a fool. Full Review
There's a moment late in "P.S. I Love You" when Hilary Swank has a belated emotional meltdown in front of her mom, and there's a look on Kathy Bates' face approaching pure horror. If someone attached a thought bubble over Bates' head, it might read, "Did you really win two Oscars?" Full Review
This post-life comedy will have the sentimentally challenged weeping openly, while clutching desperately to the pants-legs of boyfriends and husbands who are trying to flee up the aisle. Full Review
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