Subscriptions
RSS
P.S. I Love You - A Review
Remember when I wrote THIS? It was a prediction for what I thought was going to be one of the worst movies of the year. Was I right?
No.
I was invited to a sneak preview last night of P.S. I Love You, and I have to say that it is one of the best “chick flick” type movies I’ve seen in a long time.
Everything I thought I would hate about this movie proved to be the exact opposite. The film starts off with Gerard Butler’s Gerry and Hillary Swank’s Holly having a heated fight over life’s little issues, resulting in heated, yet clumsy make-up sex (nothing graphic kids). While this opening scene drags on a bit, it sets the tone for the rest of the movie, which is best described as sad, funny, and charming all thrown together.
Obviously, as was seen in the trailer, Gerry dies quickly into the film, and leaves a series of letters behind which show up to Holly at different times over the following year of his death. These letters are basically instructions on how he wants her to handle his death and live her life. I thought the whole idea was just plain dumb, but the story is actually very intriguing.
Butler is really good in this. He makes this character very believable for all he had to do to accomplish his goal. He’s only alive in the film briefly, but there are multiple flashbacks caused by the letters he writes, starting with most recent events they shared together, all the way back to the moment they first met. It’s a great way to tell this story. Swank plays a good lead role, but she is overshadowed by the dead guy. Is that bad?
I truly thought Lisa Kudrow was going to be terrible, but her humour works in the film, and catches you off guard a bit. Big kudos to Harry Connick Jr., who plays Daniel, a slight love interest after Gerry’s death. His lines throughout the movie are both awkward and hilarious. I actually laughed out loud several times at him.
Yes it is defintely a “chick flick,” but to be put in a good batch of the like such as Sleepless in Seattle or The Notebook. Fellas, if you get dragged to this, trust me, it’s not that bad. Ladies, this is one for you to see.
Last 5 posts by KC
- Hancock Trailer - December 18th, 2007
- K.C.'s Top 5 Music Videos Of All Time - December 14th, 2007
- Hitman - A Review - December 7th, 2007
- What Would NPH Do? - December 4th, 2007
- Side-Show Paul - November 28th, 2007
Comments
28 Responses to “P.S. I Love You - A Review”
Leave a Reply
I am pleased you changed your mind but I am so sick of reviewers pre-judging films on practically NO information or having actually seen anymore than 2 minutes of a trailer. Let this be a lesson to you. There IS room in the universe for innovative, clever, witty, sentimental romantic comedy/dramas. Get over it and let us romance afficinados have a film once or twice a year. How many comic book movies do you guys need to see a year? Sheeeez
Can’t wait to see this one (probably twice!) as well as “Atonement”. I enjoyed 300, No country for Old Men, La Vie en Rose, and am looking forward to the Golden Compass. I like variety. So sue me
I’m glad you changed your mind about this movie. I picked up the book after I heard Gerry (Gerard Butler) was going to be in it. Instantaneously, I fell in love with his character of Gerry; was crying by page three, and laughing till I was crying by page seven. And now I can’t wait for this movie to come out.
Like Jane M, I’m sick and tired of reviewers bashing movies based on just a few clips of the whole story. Guess now that you’ve seen the movie, you can take a BIG bite of that humble and crow pie, huh?
Unlike what you said in your last article, that it was a bad move for Gerry to do this role after playing Leonidas in 300, I thought is was in fact a very smart move on his part. I don’t blame him for not wanting to be labeled as Hollywoods “Next big action star.” For an actor to really shine in Hollywood, they need to prove they can do more than just one genre with any sort of believability. And Gerry more than proves he can.
Butler has made 4 movies since 300, none of them action movies. His fifth (Game or whatever) is futuristic action genre. The others are a rom/com (PSILY), children/family (Nim’s Island),Guy Ritchie Cockny crime caper (RocknRolla) and a suspense thriller (Shattered). Butler is not looking to be the next Rambo or Terminator as far as I can tell. He’s too a good an actor to limit himself to action only. Too bad the internet movie heads (guy type) can only picture an actor in the genre that appeals to them alone. Wake up. There is more to entertainment than “graphic novel” and comic book/fantasy movies.
PS, I agree with Cates comments. Butler is proving to have a canny sense of what type of roles he will shine in. I’m looking forward to seeing the evidence at the theater in the next 12 months.
Alright, alright, ladies … KC admitted that he made a hasty judgement. There’s no need to harp on him.
LOL! Ladies, I agree with you! It indeed was hasty judgement. But, I call ‘em like I see ‘em. I’m a guy that loves the hard-core “300″ and “Troy” like movies, but I’m also a sucker for a “Casablanca” or a “Meet Joe Black” type flick as well.
The movie looked like ass from the previews. This is not the first time I thought something was going to suck that turned out to be great. If I wanted to be a stubborn dick about it, I wouldn’t have written anything after I saw it!!
Here at the Rec, we speak our minds about movies AND trailers.
I was very glad that Butler was awesome in this. It does, as you girls put it, show he has some diverse acting skills. I’m looking forward to seeing him in more.
You 2 ladies are going to love this, go check it out this weekend!
HAHAHAHA, KC you asshole. Never speak your mind again.
@ Jane - How did you know that KC likes really bad comic book movies.
Seriously though ladies. The trailer didn’t look that good and that is how you sell a movie. The trailer looks good people will be more likely to see it. I have to give KC credit for paying to see a movie he though looked bad, then admitting he liked it.
Like always KC, the ladies love you.
KC - all is forgiven as you quite rightly corrected your hasty judgement graciously. Now I’ll be as gracious and say that there have been some comic book movies that I enjoyed very much - including the first Conan. I’m looking forward to Watchman and Batman Begins (Christian Bale YES!!)
As far as the PSILY trailer goes, what was not to like? Gerry was beautiful, Hillary as well and quite charming and charismatic together. When I see a trailer, it usually is not what gets me to a movie. Some very famous, award winning films (Mystic River, The Unforgiven, even Little Miss Sunshine) have had no appeal for me. It’s a very personal experience, I suppose. No explanation really for our visceral reactions to any particular film, is there?
Anyway, sorry to take you to task -but we Butler fans are downright scary. (Cute Smiley Face)
Oh, yes…I’m at the 7:15, Friday evening showing of PSILY this weekend with husband at the busiest mega-plex theater in my area. Then I’m back with other friends after Christmas. I’ll be pre-ordering my DVD when it’s out. So, I’ll let you know if I’m disappointed (smirk).
Jane, you should send us your review when you see it!!
I’m not sure I’m qualified to give a review but I’ll let you know what I think of the movie.
I don’t go see chick flicks, so I don’t know why I am leaving a comment…it must be the wine…
@ Jane - who can blame you, Butler is one handsome, charming man! I’m with Ray, you should definitely send us your review.
KC we forgive you, don’t worry about it! It’s just nice to see you admitted you were wrong! I have my entire Friday free, and guess where I’m spending it? Oh yeah, the theatre. I’ve been waiting on this movie a long time.
the thing I like about Gerry the most, above all the A listers like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, and all those others is the fact that he’s genuine. He has no ego about being an actor, and remembers the fact that if it weren’t for his fans, he wouldn’t be in the position he was in. Other stars seem to have forgotten that.
That, paired with the fact that he’s not just another handsome face in Hollywood, that he can in fact act and act very well, is something that is quite rare these days.
Jane, we are quite protective of him, aren’t we? LOL.
KC, I’m the type of girl that LOVES action flicks. I prefer Die Hard, 300, or Road to Perdition over chick flicks, but every once in a while, one comes along that I just HAVE to see. And this is one of them.
Eric, there are several different trailers out now, and they’ve gotten better. Try googling for them.
Cate
Yes, as I said we Butler fans are scary..and very protective.
I’ve seen a few more scenes in the latest PSILY trailer just today and I’m more and more certain that this film will be a winner. I’m prepared to laugh, cry and swoon…LOL. I’ll be sure to report here after I’ve seen it.
KC - like your site. I’ll keep an eye on you.
I’ll close with two words - Nim’s Island. Go here for the trailer:
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809921354/video/5554289
Jane, that looks TERRIBLE!!! Sure, Butler’s few lines are nice, and Foster and Breslin are very good actresses, but seriously? Yikes.
Sorry, I know I was wrong about PSILY, but I have to be honest when I see a trailer that makes me cringe.
KC~
Okay, I have to agree with you a LITTLE bit on the trailer for Nims. As a movie for adults, it doesn’t look all that appealing, but for kids, it looks like it could be right up their alley. Will I see it? Probably. I’ve seen some truely terrible movies in the name of watching them just because Gerry’s in them. (Think Lara Croft 2: The Cradle of Life) He looks like he has some pretty good chemistry with Foster, which could make line delivery and punch lines that much better,
Oh, poo. It looks charming. I cannot remember a bad Jody Foster movie. Well, maybe Freaky Friday. This movie is not meant to appeal to you, KC. You’re a GUY. The only guys who like family friendly movies are FATHERS. We will disagree on this one for sure. Well, maybe I won’t like it either when I see it but I will certainly keep an open mind.
How do you feel about Rocknrolla so far? (Guy Ritchie) crime caper just filmed this past summer starring Butler and Thandie Newton.
Cate
I think Dracula 2000 beats LCTR-Cradle of Life by a wide margin as Butler’s worst movie. What was Wes craven thinking? Sooo cheeeesy.
Angelina, herself, ruined COL IMHO. I really liked the first LCTR but the second one was a typical sequel…just trying to capitalize on success - a feeble imitation.
okay everyone, I just got back from seeing the movie.
it had it’s good points and bad points.
First, you really believe that Gerry Butler IS Gerry Kennedy. You fall in love with that character about five minutes into the movie. At first, he’s been a typical clueless guy (sorry guys!) and she’s not too happy with him. But, after the fight is resolved, the things he says there just made me want to melt. (Guys, hint hint, TAKE NOTES FROM GERRY KENNEDY!!)
Butler made me believe that he was his character. He made me love his character, feel for him and his situation. KC, you hit the nail on the head with your review of him. Swank was overshadowed by him in this film. I’m not sure that’s a bad thing.
Swank, while though adorable, I had a hard time believing her at some points. She just seemed a little too detached at times for me to think, “Hey, she’s really grieving here” other times, she was spot on perfect.
Overall, I’d give the movie around a B; there were things that could have been better, things that could have been improved upon. I actually did not cry as much as I expected to, but there are parts that made me cry.
Believe it or not, I went with my 25 year old brother, and even HE got chocked up. Men, this is a movie you should allow your women to take you to. You’ll enjoy the bawdy humor Butler and Harry Connick Jr. bring, and if you REALLY want to know what women want, the answer lies in this movie if you pay attention!
Will I see it again? Absolutely. Will I buy it when it comes out to own? Absolutely.
Nice review, Cate!
I dunno, though … this thing just looks like a machine designed to pull in the female audiences and steal their cash … like Titanic did many years ago.
But, having not seen the movie, I will reserve my judgement - I learned to shut up around you ladies while watching KC get ripped apart!!
Glad you liked it Cate. Like I originally said, if you’re a guy and you get “dragged” to this, just give it a shot.
Looks like me and Ray will have to have a movie date night to get him to go see this. I just hope whichever theatre we see it in has cuddle-seats!
Um, what we will be doing will not need “cuddle seats.”
Ray~
hehe, you’ll find that we female Butler fans are VERY protective of him.
But seriously, if you have a girl handy, let her take you to it or suggest you go to it. You might find yourself suprised. And like I said, you’ll enjoy the bawdy humor Butler and Connick Jr. bring to the film, and if you pay attention, you’ll discover the secret to what we women REALLY want!
KC~ Would you agree with me when I say I thought the film suffered from a lack of Butler? The book gave the character more time than the movie.
Well, I didn’t read the book, so I can’t really make a comparison, but it seemed to me like he was in it a good fair amount. At least for being a dead guy
However, I can always use more Butler!
[...] boy KC actually enjoyed this film, as evidenced by his review. I can’t even begin to imagine a romance between Butler and Hilary “Horseface” [...]
????? ???????! ???? ????? ????????. ????????? ???????? ??? ?????? ? ???????????????? ?????????? ????????