From The Land Of Predictability
It seems that the overwhelming majority of American moviegoers have a deep, burning need to know exactly what is going to happen to every character far in advance, and a need to know exactly how each plot element is going to resolve itself within a few minutes of said element being introduced. I don't happen to be one of those people, which is probably why "P.S. I Love You" was a somewhat less than thrilling experience for me. The rest of you may very well love it.
In case you need to know: Hillary Swank plays a young widow whose late husband (Gerard Butler of "300", seen alive only in the opening scene but frequently in flashback thereafter) has just died of a brain tumor. But he thoughtfully realized how emotionally devastated she was likely to be, so he has written a series of letters and arranged to have them delivered (along with occasional gifts) over the course of the following year, the intention being to help her through her emotional ordeal and learn to enjoy life again. Armed only with this information... not even having seen any of the TV ads or theatrical trailers... my cousin successly summarized the entire plot in every major detail. Anyone who's seen more than two or three romantic comedies (or dramas) in their entire lives ought to be able to do the same.
Anyone reading this who can contradict this idea, feel free to write and do so... but I think it's pretty safe to say that romance in real life is NOT always sweet and predictable and comforting and all of the rest of that warm and fuzzy stuff. But this is the land of MOVIE romance, which is another dimension entirely. The acting of the two leads doesn't exactly help: Hillary Swank has tended to burn hot and cold in her performances, and this is definitely on the cold side. But at least she has a discernable personality, which is more than can be said for Butler. And not only is the script predictable in the extreme, but the dialogue is clumsy and corny beyond the tolerance of all but the staunchest lover of romantic cliches. This is especially surprising and disappointing coming from writer/director Richard Lavgravanese, who managed to take one of the worst-written romance novels of all time, "The Bridges Of Madison County", and turn it into a warm and sincere film. "P.S. I Love You" is also based on a novel (unread by me), but either Lagravanese has lost his touch, or the novel must have set a new world record for sappy, poorly constructed awfulness.
All of that said, there are at least occasional moments and stray elements that should hold viewers' interest enough to keep them from falling asleep. The ever reliable Lisa Kudrow contributes some snarky attitude that keeps the film from going overboard TOO often, and Harry Connick has a nice supporting role as the one and only character in the entire film whose story arch isn't completely easy to figure out within a minute of their first appearance. And for fans of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" (such as, for instance, myself) it was very interesting to see James "Spike" Marsters in the role of Butler's best friend, a character about as far removed from Spike as you could hope to find.
Still, those are primarily compensations for those who happen to find themselves stuck with the prospect of sitting through the movie for two hours. I certainly wouldn't recommend you go to see it JUST for those moments. Unless, of course, you're one of those fans of the easily foreseen plot developments that I mentioned at the beginning of this review. Instead, if you get the opportunity, you might try to find "Things We Lost In The Fire" and check out how some of the same basic ingredients can be blended together into a powerful, emotionally effecting film that will stick with you for a long time. "P.S. I Love You", on the other hand, is a film that most people won't even remember for as long as it takes to... ahh... err... um, what was I talking about again?
In case you need to know: Hillary Swank plays a young widow whose late husband (Gerard Butler of "300", seen alive only in the opening scene but frequently in flashback thereafter) has just died of a brain tumor. But he thoughtfully realized how emotionally devastated she was likely to be, so he has written a series of letters and arranged to have them delivered (along with occasional gifts) over the course of the following year, the intention being to help her through her emotional ordeal and learn to enjoy life again. Armed only with this information... not even having seen any of the TV ads or theatrical trailers... my cousin successly summarized the entire plot in every major detail. Anyone who's seen more than two or three romantic comedies (or dramas) in their entire lives ought to be able to do the same.
Anyone reading this who can contradict this idea, feel free to write and do so... but I think it's pretty safe to say that romance in real life is NOT always sweet and predictable and comforting and all of the rest of that warm and fuzzy stuff. But this is the land of MOVIE romance, which is another dimension entirely. The acting of the two leads doesn't exactly help: Hillary Swank has tended to burn hot and cold in her performances, and this is definitely on the cold side. But at least she has a discernable personality, which is more than can be said for Butler. And not only is the script predictable in the extreme, but the dialogue is clumsy and corny beyond the tolerance of all but the staunchest lover of romantic cliches. This is especially surprising and disappointing coming from writer/director Richard Lavgravanese, who managed to take one of the worst-written romance novels of all time, "The Bridges Of Madison County", and turn it into a warm and sincere film. "P.S. I Love You" is also based on a novel (unread by me), but either Lagravanese has lost his touch, or the novel must have set a new world record for sappy, poorly constructed awfulness.
All of that said, there are at least occasional moments and stray elements that should hold viewers' interest enough to keep them from falling asleep. The ever reliable Lisa Kudrow contributes some snarky attitude that keeps the film from going overboard TOO often, and Harry Connick has a nice supporting role as the one and only character in the entire film whose story arch isn't completely easy to figure out within a minute of their first appearance. And for fans of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" (such as, for instance, myself) it was very interesting to see James "Spike" Marsters in the role of Butler's best friend, a character about as far removed from Spike as you could hope to find.
Still, those are primarily compensations for those who happen to find themselves stuck with the prospect of sitting through the movie for two hours. I certainly wouldn't recommend you go to see it JUST for those moments. Unless, of course, you're one of those fans of the easily foreseen plot developments that I mentioned at the beginning of this review. Instead, if you get the opportunity, you might try to find "Things We Lost In The Fire" and check out how some of the same basic ingredients can be blended together into a powerful, emotionally effecting film that will stick with you for a long time. "P.S. I Love You", on the other hand, is a film that most people won't even remember for as long as it takes to... ahh... err... um, what was I talking about again?
posted by Joe Bunce at
1:19 PM
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