Opening Day: 14 February 2008

Synopsis:

Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank) is beautiful, smart, and married to the love of her life—a passionate, funny and impetuous Irishman named Gerry (Gerard Butler). So when Gerry's life is taken by an illness, it takes the life out of Holly. The only one who can help her is the person who is no longer there. Nobody knows Holly better than Gerry. So it's a good thing he planned ahead. Before he died, Gerry wrote Holly a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief but in rediscovering herself. The first message arrives on Holly's 30th birthday in the form of a cake and, to her utter shock, a tape recording from Gerry, who proceeds to order her to get out and "celebrate herself." In the weeks and months that follow, more 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 (Kathy Bates) and best friends, Sharon (Gina Gershon) and Denise (Lisa Kudrow), 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 touching, exciting and often hilarious journey of rediscovery in a story about marriage, friendship and how a love so strong can turn the finality of death into new beginning for life.

Short Movie Review:

Disclaimer: Read this Review as a whining man who didn’t get this romantic chick flick. He is insensitive, heartless, unromantic and very lonely* (brought forth by that three of his qualities mentioned here)

Hilary Swank was horribly miscast as the romantic lead and the Irish accent was a major distraction. The changes made for the transition from source material was terrible and robbed certain good parts from the book. But dutifully noted, there is plenty of sniffling (ie: crying) going around in the cinema which probably indicate it’s a great chick flick movie and ideal for bringing the ladies to (especially it’s going to be released during Valentine Day)

Long Movie Review

Second Disclaimer: This review is based on personal preference and it might (probably) not reflect the views of the female population in general. Please do not bash this review at some forums without giving prior notice. Cheers RLJ

With a movie like P.S I Love You, it seems that for once, Hollywood’s favorite method of stereotyping actress for certain roles was right after all. For the very same reason why Meg Ryan had a memorable run with romantic comedy such as When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle but was forgettable in toughie roles that she played in Against the Ropes, cutesy charming romantic damsel in distress character might not be the role that Hilary Swank could pull off.

Through out the movie, there’s nothing more distracting from relating to the lead character (which many male audience does when they watch a movie), than to comprehend Gerry’s affection for Holly (Hilary Swank). She may have two Oscar for tough leading female roles but for roles as leading female in a romantic comedy genre, she didn’t have the look to appeal to audience nor the charm to endear herself to the viewer. Very often, just when the movie was trying to infuse some romance, her appearance often pull this male viewer to one side and wonder, “Will I be doing all this for someone who looks like that?” It’s very shallow but it’s about the movies and given the short time frame, the leading actress should have certain attractions for me to invest my interest to follow this film.

While the male audience might have difficulties in relating to Gerry, the ladies in the cinema should not have any problem swooning over Gerard Butler’s handsome looks and constant groveling for his wife. That is something that even this male viewer could pick up. However to nitpick this movie further, the Irish accent that Gerard Butler was using in this movie was screaming for that subtitle feature normally available on Dvd (which incidentally not available in theatre). Since the movie makers already took the liberty to change geographic lodging location for Gerry and Holly, it makes one wonder why they even bothered keeping the Irish accent in it?

Speaking of the changes that occurred from the book to the movie version, one of the most puzzling character changes occurred in Daniel (Harry Connick, Jr), the supposedly the new man in Holly’s life. Daniel’s behavior in this movie which was neither charming nor funny that make one relate how could he become one of Holly’s potential male companions during the progression of the movie. A little research on the net showed that the novel’s Daniel was nothing like the screen version and was more supportive than this emotionally immature character that was presented to us.

The research between the differences the two platforms for this story revealed more unlikable changes that made this film less charming than the source material. Holly’s mom became unsupportive in the film media but that “change” brought very little drama conflicts to build the story up and instead took away the warmth of the family that was presented in the book. Another moot point would be the inclusion of Gerry’s Band member, William and the rendezvous both William and Holly shared. It was too fast and some might find it difficult to accept Holly’s action while she is supposedly still grieving for her husband.

However, it was obvious that many of the ladies in the cinema that didn’t share the same sentiment. Sniffling and crumble used tissues were abundant in the cinema. Perhaps they were touch by the romantic afterlife gestures or perhaps it’s an incredible fascination to have hunks like Gerard Butler to pamper them in such loving manner. Or even perhaps (and most likely) they are wired differently from this reviewer. But one thing is for sure (that even this reviewer agreed)! Come Valentine Day, there isn’t a better movie to bring your female date to than P.S I Love You.

Movie Rating:

(P.S a great date movie but suffer the men)

Review by Richard Lim Jr