P.S. I Love You Review (2007) - A poignant journey of love, loss, courage, growth and healing, blending the magic of lasting friendships with the beauty of Ireland!
For our only full review this month, (next month will be nothing but reviews!), we decided on the tear-jerking, soul-stirring cinematic journey that is "P.S. I Love You." This film is a whirlwind of emotions! It skillfully blends moments of love, humor, and impending tragedy to draw the audience into the world of Holly Kennedy and her husband, Gerry. It's a love letter, not just from the characters but to all of us who have ever loved, lost, lost ourselves…and then found ourselves again.
Now it is important to be well aware before diving in to this movie that the road ahead is both beautiful and incredibly bittersweet. “P.S. I Love You” is more than your garden-variety romance; it's a poignant exploration of grief, healing, growth and the enduring power of love. As a result there are potential triggers to consider, such as, the depiction of terminal illness, death of a loved one, and the grieving process. We love this film, but this film can be triggering at times even for us potatoes, as grief is always ever so near.
We will do everything we can to not give too many spoilers in this review but there is likely to be some so please take that into consideration and read cautiously.
Let get into it!
The film opens with Holly (Hilary Swank) and Gerry (Gerard Butler) walking up to their New York City apartment building. Holly is storming ahead of Gerry, and she is very clearly upset. Gerry, sensing that she is upset, keeps trying to talk to her on the way up to the apartment, but she does not want to talk until they at least have some privacy. We felt that this was fair!
They finally make it into their apartment and a passionate argument ensues! This opening scene is intense and filled with emotion, highlighting the fiery love and complex dynamics between the two. But! Despite their heated words, it's incredibly clear that there's a deep, undeniable love between them.
They argue about many things, but it starts with Gerry having told Holly’s mother that Holly, “wanted to wait.” In regards to having children…we felt that some of Holly’s anger was justified. The way in which he said it makes it sound like Holly is the only one who is not ready for children at this time. It sounds like it is not a mutual decision which places all of the potential blame, shame and angst from her mom solely on Holly.
We potatoes understand why Holly was upset by this! But the argument kind of goes off of the rails and many things are revealed about their relationship. It touches on deeper themes of dreams, aspirations, and the overall challenges of marital life. But the love and devotion they share is palpable! They resolve the argument in a hilarious and touching fashion that endears them both to the audience. The chemistry between these two actors is truly fantastic!
The screen fades to black and the starting credits, and the name of the film comes onto the screen. A fun song plays as we are introduced to all that participated in the creation of the film along with fun photos and video clips.
The film picks back up quickly, and we fade to a cute corner pub at night, with Christmas lights on the outside. The word “winter” fades onto the screen in the left hand corner.
Inside the pub we see Patricia, (Kathy Bates) instructing her new hire Daniel (Harry Connick Jr.) on what to do at that moment. They seem to be holding a small gathering at the bar, but we do not know what kind of gathering it is just yet.
We meet Holly’s two best friends Denise (Lisa Kudrow) and Sharon (Gina Gershon) who greet each other quickly as they move out of frame. Next we cut to Holly sitting next to Patricia. Everyone is dressed in black and the music has a somber tone to it. We cut to an urn, and a large photo of Gerry. Holly is holding back tears, and is being stoic as the priest steps up to a microphone set up next to Gerry.
He says a few lovely words about Gerry, but he does not speak for long because Gerry was a lover of music. They play a song that Gerry had selected. The song starts off sounding appropriate…then it goes off into a silly direction. Patricia rolls her eyes and Holly laughs a bit. It is a great way for us to get a feel for the type of person Gerry was and how beloved he was by those who knew him.
The wake progresses, we learn that Patricia is Holly’s mom, and we also meet Holly’s sister Ciara (Nellie McKay). She arrives late but she lives in a completely different country so it is quite spectacular and sweet that she was able to make it at all!
We also learn that Gerry’s parents were not able to be there, why? We do not know as of yet, but we potatoes feel that this is something that we as a society should be more understanding towards. Sometimes distance complicates things, sometimes there are circumstances that are beyond our control, money, etc. There are many, many reasons why someone may not be able to attend an event. We feel that it is important to always seek to remember that we are all trying to live our lives in the best way that we can and to give each other kindness and grace. Life is messy, and complicated. But we digress!
The wake wraps up, and Holly returns to her apartment with Gerry’s urn…the urn is unique, interesting and attractive. She made the urn for him herself which we potatoes could not imagine doing…that process had to be so painful.
From here, we see Holly in various scene’s drowning in her grief. She is trying her best to get through the days, but she is barely holding on. Holly withdraws from her usual life and activities, completely consumed by her grief.
We potatoes are deeply familiar with grief. We completely understand Holly’s struggle. It is not an easy one, and it never fully goes away. Grief can get better with processing it. Allowing yourself to really feel the grief, and move through the grief instead of against it. It is also incredibly personal and individual. How long someone grieves, or needs to grieve, etc. is so personal and YET…society still tries to place rules and expectations on it.
Grief is a profound and complex emotion, a response to loss that touches the very core of our being, but it's often misunderstood and mishandled by a society that prizes resilience and quick recovery. In our fast-paced, capitalistic, solution-oriented culture, there's a pervasive pressure to "move on" or "get over" grief, as if it were a hurdle to be cleared rather than a process to be experienced.
A few weeks have passed and Holly is doing the best she can. She is in her apartment, wearing some of Gerry’s clothes, and singing along to an older film. She is giving quite the loud and tuneless performance, when we see her front door opening behind her!
It is her friends, Denise, and Sharon along with Holly’s mom, sister and Sharon’s spouse John (James Marsters). They all start clapping! Surprised Holly whirls around and sees them all! They have balloons and Happy Birthday signs. Holly is embarrassed, and realizes that she is rather…unwashed.
Her friends and family are supportive and hilarious. Holly tells them that she is exhausted, and Denise says one of our favorite lines, “Yeah, well, what are you doing, two shows a night?” We always laugh, Denise is such a fun character and we love her! Moving on!
Holly leaves to take a shower, and her wonderful support system starts cleaning up her apartment. After Holly is showered and ready, something gets delivered for her…a cake! But the cake is not from her family or her friends…the cake is from Gerry!
Also, there is a tape recorder with a tape inside, taped to the inside of the cake box, and once it starts playing…we hear Gerry’s voice. Gerry tells Holly that he has a plan! He has arranged a series of letters that will get to her in all sorts of ways…from him. He is just not quite ready to say goodbye. The first letter will be arriving tomorrow, but for tonight, her birthday, he wants her to get out of the house and to go out with her friends! He says, “I hereby free you from a party with your family, especially your mum.”
Denise, Sharon and Ciara take Holly out to an awesome club for her 30th birthday. They have a lot of drinks, and have a great time! The next morning Holly wakes up to her phone ringing. Sharon is calling!
Holly is heavily hung over and not feeling up for much…that is until Sharon reminds her that she has a letter from Gerry waiting for her in the mail! Thrilled Holly sets aside her hang over and runs as fast as she can to her mailbox. There it is, the first letter from Gerry! We are going to start wrapping up from here so as to not give away too much more of the film!
The letters, with Gerry's voice echoing through them, become Holly's guide, her light through the darkness of loss, leading her on a journey that's as much about rediscovering herself as it is about cherishing the memories of their shared love. The film reveals through tender and playful flashbacks the depth of Holly and Gerry's relationship, from their chance meeting to the quirky, spontaneous adventures that define their love. These flashbacks are intertwined with the present, painting a picture of a couple deeply in love but also facing the real challenges that life throws their way. The magic of "P.S. I Love You" lies in the series of letters Gerry leaves behind, each a stepping stone on Holly's path to healing and a real testament to his deep love and concern for Holly.
Now, we potatoes cannot forget the ensemble of quirky, loving, and hilariously meddling characters that surround Holly and help her through her healing! Holly's two best friends, Denise and Sharon, play crucial roles in both the narrative structure and the emotional depth of the film. Denise is the outspoken, somewhat quirky friend, known for her blunt advice and comedic relief. Sharon offers a more grounded and nurturing presence, providing emotional support and wisdom when Holly needs it most.
Their friendship is not just a backdrop to Holly's story; it's an essential part of her journey through grief and healing. Denise and Sharon are the pillars of support that Holly needs and is so lucky to have after Gerry's death. They are there to listen when she needs to talk, to distract her when she needs to escape her grief, and to push her when she needs motivation to move forward. Their importance in the film goes beyond mere companionship; they represent the strength found in female friendships and the idea that love and support can come from many sources, not just romantic relationships! Their interactions with Holly highlight the complexity of friendship, particularly in times of loss, showing how friends can serve as a lifeline, helping to anchor someone to the world when they feel completely lost and adrift.
We adore these characters, and we adore this message. Often, we are told by society that we have to endure on our own. That we are not supposed to need other people. That we are not allowed to. This is untrue. While it is not ok to take advantage and to not help oneself if you can, this does not mean that we are not allowed to need help in times of need, whether that be from friends, loved ones or professional help. It is ok to want or need help as we are all only human and no one gets through life unscathed.
There are too many things to love about this film! From the bustling streets of New York to the breathtaking landscapes of Ireland, the film takes us on a visual journey as captivating as the story itself. Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler absolutely shine as Holly and Gerry, bringing depth and authenticity to their roles that tug right at the heartstrings. But let's not forget the absolutely amazing performances of Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon as Denise and Sharon! Their portrayal as Holly's friends mixes heartfelt support with just the right dash of humor! Denise truly cracks us up! Their friendship makes "P.S. I Love You" not just a journey through grief, but a celebration of life and friendship too. We absolutely love this! Truly, the entire cast turns this film into a heartfelt masterpiece!
"P.S. I Love You" is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, to the light that love can shine, even in the darkest corners. It teaches us that grief, while a harrowing and incredibly difficult journey, has the potential to be a path to healing, a journey not of forgetting but of remembering, cherishing, and learning to live anew. This film, with its laughter, its tears, and its heart-swelling moments, is a reminder that love, in all its forms, is the most powerful force of all.
So, here's to "P.S. I Love You," a film that wraps us in the warmth of its story, teaching us to dance in the rain, to find joy in the journey, and to hold onto love, even when the music has faded. If you are someone that enjoys films that are a journey of growth and healing, reminding us that every ending is also a beginning, and that even in the darkest of times there's always a whisper of hope, then this is the film for you!
Cheers to a fantastic tale that, like the letters Gerry left behind, guides us to find laughter, love, healing and ourselves along the way! Most importantly, cheers to you for joining us on this heartfelt journey through "P.S. I Love You"!
We give this movie 5 out of 5 Guinness’s!
The P.S. I Love You Drinking Game
Take a sip anytime:
Anyone reads or writes a letter
Holly reminisces or talks about Gerry
Holly's friends try to cheer her up
Holly sings or hears music that reminds her of Gerry
Holly experiences a moment of personal growth or realization
Gerry makes you laugh
A new letter from Gerry arrives or is revealed
There's a flashback to Holly and Gerry's past
There's a scene in Ireland
There's a heartfelt moment between Holly and her family or friends
A significant milestone or event occurs in Holly's life
What did you think? Did you like the movie? Did you hate it? What movies should we watch? Any and all thoughts are welcome! Let us know here in the comments and always remember to be safe and drink responsibly!