"P.S I Love You" (2007) - Movie Review

Is it tragic or ironic to see the worst film of the year so far on the final day of the year? “P.S I Love You” cannot get more cheap, exploitative, manipulative and sadly casting completely bad on the role of Holly played by Hilary Swank. This is the film I have always avoided through out the year and here I am finally caught by it writing about it. There are some miniscule parts to pin point for some consolation but it is so due to the remaining material of horrific execution.

The film is how a dead husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) helps his widow wife to coax and pick up her life to move ahead. He does so by sending letters, buying vacation tickets and then giving it to some one to deliver it at the end of the film, a final departure. Sounds sweet doesn’t it? I should say the premise does entertain expectation but director Richard LaGravenese decided to go for countless cheap shots invented in the film history. He struggles so hard to give a film which can be trashed for its value.

Now this is the film when you see Kathy Bates in the titles to seriously expect a final pep talk to the main character and guess what, they do it, in the worst possible unimpressive and forgetful manner of no meaning what she says. And then we have the friends of Holly, Sharon (Gina Gershon) and Denise (Lisa Kudrow) who we never get to know apart from that Sharon wants to get Holly laid and Denise wants herself to be laid. These two are the members who are the appointed person to console this character whose life has been shattered.

So to have a character to be influencing enough to substantiate the intimacy and love to live through the entire movie tenure, you need an opening sequence of such a strong presence of it to last and understand the pain Holly goes through. I should say that Gerard Butler makes a great charismatic appearance and the character of Gerry whom every one loves. Even if he is having an axe in one hand and a head in another giving a smile and an Irish drinking joke then every one will be laughing and you can expect the most of the female members in the audience to go “Oh!” in their typical toned manner (Please forgive me for stereotyping ladies, but I heard around 4 “Oh!” from approximately 6 female members in the audience when Butler appears smiling through the screen). Not so sweet when that sequence is badly executed and we see nothing more than a couple resolving a fight with a nasty make up sex as they say.

The consoling part as I said is the character of Daniel (Harry Connick Jr.) who provides some form of raw humour and the approach out here in his scenes are enjoyable. I would have loved to see their relation develop and resolve in to the end they try to promote. And when did Hilary Swank became so horrible? I have always admired for her audacious role in “Boys Don’t Cry” which won her the Academy Award but to see her deteriorate into films like these cannot be more pathetic. At least that makes me feel sorry for Hilary than Holly.

P.S: Please tell me how these characters have this sweet uncle who has complete access to the sports stadium in so many romantic comedy films to give a fine tour to their love interest?