Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.
When this first came out, I didnt want to see this because Id heard it misled you into thinking it was a feel-good movie, but instead was a tearjerker. So, I watched it against my initial better judgment and discovered that it was both.
Part of the sadness was a sweet sadness of imagining how much Gerry loved Holly soooo much that instead of feeling sorry for himself with his impending death, he took the time and trouble of making an elaborate plan, including daily letters and a vacation to help his wife cope with his death.
They say that the seemingly contradictory reason for when we cry at weddings, births, or other joyous events, is that we are crying at the glimpse of an ideal happiness that is just out of reach. Well I admit that I cried in parts of this movie. It was partly because of Hillary Swanks great acting that made me feel her pain. It was also partly due to a glimpse of that perfect, selfless love that her husband had for her and for the perfect marriage that they seemed to have had. That such a perfect man or perfect marriage really does exist is highly unlikely, but like a fairy tale, P.S., I Love You makes you want to believe its possible.
The Acting
Unlike some actresses, say like, Meg Ryan, Hillary Swank doesnt make me say, Oh, heres another Hillary Swank movie. She is very versatile. Ive enjoyed her variety of roles from dedicated, caring high school teacher to dedicated, tough boxer and both were very believable. In P.S., I Love You she plays a feminine, idealistic, vulnerable widow very convincingly. In fact, it was a bit emotionally exhausting to follow her through her wide range of emotions grief, anger, flirtatiousness, happiness, shyness, love, confusion, etc, etc.
Her female support network consisted of her mother, Kathy Bates, and her two best friends, Denise and Sharon, played by Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon. They were supportive in a very general, lets hang out to cheer you up kind of way, but they didnt strike me as having the close friendships that the women on Sex and the City have. One thing it did have in common with Sex in the City is Hollys sense of feminine style (except for the intense grieving phase). The most realistic aspect of this movie that I appreciated was the occasional bluntness of Hollys friends and especially the tough love of her mother, who had also suffered her own loss years ago.
Her husband Gerry, played by Gerard Butler, is charming and doting, yet also shows how much he really knew his wife, for better or worse, according to the letters he left which you hear being read aloud in his voice.
There are, of course, a couple of love interests, played by Harry Connick, Jr. and William Gallagher. Although their acting was fine, I felt that their roles were just a little too good to be true.
My Recommendation
I recommend this movie for romantics who actually like to cry watching a movie. I wont give away the ending, only that it does end on a high note. If I had known that from the beginning, I probably wouldnt have taken so long to watch this. The only thing I didnt like about this movie was that it was a little too Hollywood in the perfectly tidy way loose ends are seemingly wrapped up.
Recommended:
Yes
Viewing Format: DVD Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.