P.S. I Love You is a movie based on the novel of the same name by Cecelia Ahern. The film deals with Holly and Gerry Kennedy, a happily married couple living in Manhattan. It starts with a fight, but you can see that these two are clearly in love and think the world of each other. That makes it all the more tragic when Gerry dies of a brain tumor and Holly must continue on without him.Holly, played by Hilary Swank, then receives a letter from Gerry saying that he has a plan that will help her not only cope with his death, but move on with her life. There will be nine more letters to come. This launches Holly on an adventure of celebration and growth with Gerry, her friends, and family via his letters. What I really liked is that after we are set to wondering how Holly can be getting letters from her dead husband, the explanation, when revealed, isn't at all what I was expecting, and is all the more touching.
This movie has a lot of heart, and successfully combines romance, comedy, grief, and sadness with a talented cast. The supporting cast doesn’t get enough screen time. It includes Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon as Holly’s best friends Denise and Sharon, who provide most of the comedy. Kathy Bates plays Holly’s mother Patricia, and one of my favorite actors, James Marsters, is woefully underused as Sharon’s husband John and Gerry’s best friend. Gerry is portrayed by Gerard Butler, who doesn’t have much screen time since he dies very early in the film, but he narrates it, so his presence is felt, and he does a great job doing so.
I must mention that there’s a little nod to Buffy The Vampire Slayer when Holly is choosing a new career. She has different careers written out on boards, and Gerry’s voice is heard saying, “Vampire Slayer is not a valid career!” Swank had a role in the movie Buffy The Vampire Slayer, while James Marsters played Spike the vampire in Buffy The Vampire Slayer for six seasons and later its spin-off Angel. As a huge Buffy fan, I got a kick out of that, and it’s a funny scene in the movie, made even funnier if you know the connection.
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