I find it hard sometimes to write a review for romantic comedies, especially one like P.S. I Love You. It helps that my wife really liked the movie as well, that makes for some good material as we discuss it afterward. Don’t get me wrong, I think I am more receptive to romantic comedies than most guys I know, with a particular weak spot for Notting Hill and You’ve Got Mail.
P.S. I Love You was a good movie. It wasn’t great, it was good. The story follows Holly (Hillary Swank) and her dealing with the sudden death of her husband Gerry (Gerard Butler). The grief is too much for Holly and she shuts herself out from the world and just stays in her apartment all of the time, shower-less, dirty, and rotating out wearing her husband’s clothes, all the while watching old romantic movies that always portray a strong, confident, and independent woman as the star. Here in her grief is where I find Swank to be the strongest in this film. She does very well in portraying a fragile, frail, depressed, lost, and lonely widow whose life means nothing without her husband. What I didn’t like or buy into about her character is her romantic side. I didn’t at all buy into the chemistry with awkwardly-funny Harry Connick Jr.., or even with Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays one of Gerry’s best friends from Ireland whom she runs into on a trip. I don’t see Swank as a romantic lead, I think she really excels as an actress in intense dramatic leads.
Gerard Butler was great the little time we did see him on screen. It was cool to see him play a wacky, care-free Irishman after just watching him slaughter a bunch of Persians in 300. He’s a very powerful actor and commands your attention in any scene that he is in. I loved him more in this film when he was dead and able to “speak” (he’s dead, but Swank’s imagines him around her speaking to her) to her openly and honestly, it was sincere and sweet. Harry Connick Jr. played Daniel, the bartender who has a syndrome that allows him to say whatever he thinks when he thinks it, which provides for some much needed comic relief. His chemistry with Swank was awkward, and not in the good way, and although his dry delivery were at times funny, I didn’t think he really fit with the mood and flow of the movie.
And that’s where I have the biggest problem with this film: I think the movie confused itself. It didn’t know whether or not it was a drama or a comedy or a plain romance. I could see the writers sitting around saying, “Ok, this is a truly sad movie, so lets throw in some humor to lighten the mood a bit.” At times, I didn’t know whether I was supposed to laugh or cry, which I did both in this film. It didn’t ruin the film for me as I really did like it, but I wish it could have decided what it was going to be and stuck with it.
If you are looking for a good ole’ romantic comedy mixed in with some intense grief and sadness, then this is the film for you. Guys, when it’s your turn to pick the movie and you are planning to subject your wife/girlfriend to the next action/violent thriller, pick this one up…you won’t be sorry.
Content Warning: Rated PG-13 for sexual references and brief nudity. There is one scene where Jeffrey Dean Morgan comes out of the shower and you see his naked butt.
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Scotto
Dan writes: “And that’s where I have the biggest problem with this film: I think the movie confused itself. It didn’t know whether or not it was a drama or a comedy or a plain romance.”
But Dan…isnt that how we deal with death…some drama, some comedy, some love, compassion, and romance (or memories of romance)? Sounds like they got that right in a movie-style way. You and I know each other well, so you know that I am not saying that Hollywood is exact on how things happen, but it sounds like they covered all emotions when it comes to a person that you loved dying. Just a thought.
You review makes me want to snuggle with the Mrs on the couch and watch it.
What new movie is coming that you cant wait to go see???
October 17, 2008 at 9:49 am
Dan
Scotto, that’s a good point. I agree that when dealing with death, your emotions are very intensified and like a pregnant woman, you can go from depressed to happy to joyful to downright suicidal, all in a day’s time. But, from an audience’s standpoint, from a viewer, I wanted the movie to find its identity…and maybe that’s too much of “in the box” thinking.
That’s a very good counter point though Scotto, thanks for bringing it up. That’s the kind of comments I love, that’s, in essence, what I want ToC to be all about…movie discussion.
New Movie(s) I Can’t Wait To See:
1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2. Quantum of Solace (if only to see the complete Star Trek trailer)
3. Watchmen
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
5. Defiance
What about you?
October 17, 2008 at 11:17 am
Scotto
In no particular Order:
- Twilight (see what all the hub-bub is about).
- 007
- Star Trek (Christmas, right?)
- Fireproof
- The Express
- W
- HSM 3 (For Lilah, of course)
- Body of Lies
- Pride and Glory (sad I cannot go to sneak preview)
Back to topic – I think that you are correct from the stand point that movies need identity, but you would say that movies (like this one) should try to let the audience find the identity in the movie versus the movie finding an identity with the audience?
Make sense?
October 17, 2008 at 11:57 am
Dan
That makes sense Scotto. I guess it really depends on the integrity of the film and if it needs to identify itself or allow the audience identify it for themselves. To me, some films NEED to identify themselves for the simple fact that the story/acting alone doesn’t provide enough of a foundation for the audience….where as some films are so good that they don’t need to.
Make sense? Either way, to me P.S. I Love You wasn’t good enough to rely on the audience to figure its identity out, to me, it needed to identify itself.
October 17, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Stan-Lee
Sadly I have not seen PS I Love you, it was at the bottom of my list. I guess it just isn’t my kind of film.
October 21, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Dan
Stan-Lee, I wouldn’t recommend it if you wouldn’t be watching it with a girl, but if you are and you happen to accidentally put it in the DVD player, I don’t think you’ll be TOO bored out of your mind.
But if it’s at the bottom of your list, there’s nothing really there that would cause any ascension.
October 22, 2008 at 7:34 am
Neil
I agree with you, Dan. Good movie, not great. Very observant and true is your impression of Swank as struggling thru the romantic scenes. She is not believable and lacks a certain softness I suppose.
Gerard is amazing…accent, expressions and passion!!
Having the Irish element made it almost great for me!
December 11, 2008 at 2:05 pm