"P.S. I Love You" features a great cast, including Hillary Swank, Gerard Butler, Kathy Bates, Lisa Kudrow, Gina Gershon, and Harry Connick Jr. It's listed as a romantic comedy, but be forewarned that it's also a tear-jerker. Directed by Richard LaGravenese and based on the novel by Cecelia Ahern, "P.S. I Love You" tells the story of Holly (Swank) and Gerry (Butler) a young married couple, facing the typical fights and fears of a young married couple....job, money, and the question of whether it's time to start a family. Shortly after we're introduced to Holly and Gerry and are given a glimpse into their loving relationship, Gerry passes away from a brain tumor. At first, Holly shuts out her family and deals with her grief alone. On her 30th birthday though she receives a cake along with a tape recorded message from Gerry asking her to get dressed up and go out and celebrate her birthday with her friends Sharon (Gershon) and Denise (Kudrow). In the tape, Gerry also tells her to expect letters from him at random times--when she least expects it--which will contain tasks that she'll have to complete. While at first her mom (Bates) feels that the letters are only keeping her in the past, in truth through each letter Gerry is helping Holly to find herself and to take the steps to build a new life without him. Thanks to the use of flashbacks we also get a glimpse of the life and memories they built together, including when they first met and fell in love. This is definitely a chick-flick (I can't see many guys renting this of their own free will), but a thoroughly enjoyable one. The movie manages to strike a perfect balance between the comedic and tear-jerker moments. You'll laugh, cry, and laugh again. The entire cast did a great job, especially Hillary Swank, Gerald Butler, and Lisa Kudrow. Swank conveyed Holly's every emotion--shock, denial, despair and ultimately acceptance--movingly, Butler made you fall in love with Gerry so you empathized with Holly's loss, and Kudrow was hilarious as usual, stealing many of the scenes she was in.
P.S. If you rent this movie, remember to buy a box of Kleenex.
