P.S. I Love You

Director: Richard LaGravenese

Starring: Gerard Butler, Hilary Swank, Lisa Kudrow

Holly Kennedy (Swank) is married to the love of her life – a passionate and funny Irishman named Gerry (Butler). When he dies of an illness she is unable to cope, until a series of letters that Gerry wrote for her before his death start to arrive. Each letter is aimed at helping her move on and is signed off in the same way: ‘P.S. I love you.’

This film deals with the loss of a loved one very well; Swank shines as a grieving widow and the audience is truly moved by her journey of rediscovery. Butler is charming and lovable as her deceased husband. He also provides many of the laughs – the striptease will have you in stitches! The on-screen chemistry between these two main characters is impressive; the scenes between Swank and Butler alone make this movie worth a watch. They work hard to portray a realistic couple who have faced many difficulties (they married young and were always short of money) yet still stuck together through thick and thin.

Other cast members also add to the charm of the movie. Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon play Holly’s best friends who find time to inject added humour into the film whilst comforting their bereft friend. Kudrow has some particularly hilarious lines. Harry Connick Jr. also shines as the potential new man in Holly’s life. Kathy Bates portrays Holly’s mum in a loving manner and plays up the conflicting emotions of a mother who thinks her daughter may be clinging on to the past by focusing on letters from her deceased husband.

P.S. I Love You is a comedy, drama and romance all in one. Its message of coping with loss is one which everyone can relate to and this film does well in involving the audience in the emotional journey of moving on and rediscovering yourself. And while it is very moving, it is also very funny and leaves you feeling warm rather than depressed.

All in all it is a very personal and moving film with a lot of laughs and a great cast. This film definitely makes a worthwhile viewing for fans of touching romantic comedies and those wanting to see that Butler’s talents are not confined to slaying the Persian army!

Julia Huntenburg