What Do The Critics Say?

"Only the most hard hearted critic with a cynical bent would be churlish enough to scorn PS I Love You, a romanticised story of a pretty grieving widow whose late husband was thoughtful enough to leave her instructions on how to cope. Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank are both refreshing and entertaining as the couple who love to quarrel and make up, while Lisa Kudrow's sour-seeking friend is acidic fun. Gina Gershon doesn't have enough to do, and Kathy bates is a nice, warm, plump mum. Some of the direction sails all too close to schmaltz, but it's so darned likeable and enjoyable, and the cast is so engaging we don't really care." Andrew L Urban URBANCINEFILE "Big softies beware - this heartbreaking romance will bring on fully fledged waterworks." OK MAGAZINE "Hilary Swank finally lets loose in this adaptation of the Cecelia Ahern novel in which a young widow embarks on a healing journey at the behest of her late husband, who left her a string of instructive letters. The film veers into cliché and will tear-jerk the hell out of you, but it’s helped immeasurably by funny dialogue and good performances (Harry Connick Jnr’s horsey bartender is the opposite of the southern charmer you’d expect)." Sara Cardace NEW YORK MAGAZINE "Writer-director Richard LaGravenese (The Birdges Of Madison County) aims directly at the tear ducts and hits his targets with sentinemtal skill. The performances are suitably classy and Swank's skills are supreme. 3 1/2 STARS." Stan James ADVERTISER MOVIE REVIEWS

"More than just a run of the mill romantic comedy, 'PS I Love You' is redeemed by an original twist, that the deceased, aware of his imminent demise, has left behind letters, for his loved one to find after his death. The premise of being able to help a loved one cope with grief, with the aid of letters to guide them through bereavement and towards a new life, is a novel idea, which successfully maintains momentum. The scenery and music of Ireland, for me, are another appealing aspect. 'PS, I Love You' is well acted and quite entertaining." Annamargaret OK MAGAZINE "I found myself entertained, engaged and, occasionally, pleasantly surprised." Cathy Jakicic MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL "If you're looking for a great date movie so you can get laid over the holidays, this is the one." Pete Hammond MAXIM "Swank and Butler convince us from the very first scene in which Holly and Gerry are having a full on row. The silent treatment turns into a war of words and by the time they reconcile with promises, laughter and hot sex, we know that they are made for each other. Swank's vulnerability as the unsure woman who wants to avoid making mistakes is tangible, while Butler is perfect as the natural gregarious extravert who takes Holly out of her shell. Director Richard LaGravenese, who also had a hand in writing the screenplay (based on Cecelia Ahern's novel) tells this love story (told in flashback in reverse order) with great sensitivity." Louise Keller URBANCINEFILE

The Inside Story "P.S. I Love You" began as a novel of the same name by Irish author Cecelia Ahern, who was only twenty one years old when she wrote her book about love, loss and hope, which became an international bestseller. "No matter what age you are or where you’re from or what you do, we all experience love, and when you love somebody, you know what it’s like to fear losing them," Ahern relates. "The idea for the book was sparked from that feeling and all the emotions that come with it. It’s a story about the fact that love lives on forever, and because it’s such a hopeful story, that made it all the better." Academy Award ® winning producer Wendy Finerman ("Forrest Gump") was privileged to read the book even before it was published and immediately recognized its appeal. "I thought it was a universal story because we can all imagine what it would be like to lose someone we love and then have that hope that we could somehow still feel their presence in our lives." As she began developing with project, Finerman turned to Richard LaGravense to helm the movie as well as to script it, working from an initial adaptation by Steven Rogers. "The magic of Richard is that his words are so beautiful but so real. They sound the way we speak to each other in real life, so they evoke common emotions and you feel a real connection to the characters," she said. It was while they were developing the project that real life imitated art in a way that gave Finerman a deeper connection to the material. "My best friend in the whole world lost her husband during that time," she recalls. "Ironically, he had written letters to be given to her after he passed away, so I felt even more connected to the story." Producer Molly Smith came upon the book only a week after suffering the untimely death of her eldest sister. She read it in one night, laughing and crying the whole way through. "What was so captivating about the story is that it’s told in Holly’s voice, so you hear every emotion she’s feeling through every letter. You go on this journey with her, which ended up being very therapeutic for me. I just loved it." Feeling a personal connection to the material, Smith called producers Andrew A Kosove ("Insomnia" & "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants") and Broderick Johnson ("The Affair of the Necklace" & "Racing Stripes") at Alcon Entertainment, with whom she had worked when she was just starting out in her career. "I told them it was a wonderful story and I just knew it could be a really heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny, wonderful movie. It became a whirlwind fairytale for me because the next thing I knew they were saying, 'Okay, are you ready to produce your first movie?' It was very exciting, and I was very lucky to have Andrew and Broderick mentoring me through this process." Having just directed Hilary Swank in "Freedom Writers", LaGravense relished the opportunity to continue their collaboration. "I wanted Hilary for this because I had gotten to know her very well and we’d formed a wonderful partnership. Her talent goes without saying, but I also wanted the world to see her in the way I see her with all her humor, her goofiness and especially her beauty. I felt so damn lucky to be able to work again with an actress of her caliber." And it appears that Swank felt the same way about working with the Oscar ® nominated LaGravenese. Two time Academy Award ® winner Swank ("Boys Don't Cry" & "Million Dollar Baby") says "the opportunity to reunite with LaGravenese would have been reason enough to do the film." After appearing in "The Freedom Writers" it's no wonder she says. "I love stories that remind me of what’s important in life. I think "P.S. I Love You" reminds us to hold the ones we love close and never to take them for granted because you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow. It’s also about the power of friendship and of family; and maybe not taking life so seriously." It's a theme LaGravenese is attracted to. "My favorite stories are bittersweet: you laugh, you cry, you’re moved. That’s how life is; it’s never one thing or another, and it shouldn’t be because real life is a little messy. I want to make movies that reflect that." Like 1990's "Ghost", Swanks latest film involves messages from a departed loveone. The difference is that the messages in "P.S I Love You" come in the shape of letters from Gerry. Swanks says that with Gerry's death, Holly sudenly finds "she’s alone in more ways than one because I don’t think she quite knows how to handle life on her own. But he knew what she would be facing, so he wrote her letters to help her find herself again." "I think the intent of Gerry’s letters is to make Holly remember who she was when they first met," says PGA Award winning producer Wendy Finerman (Motion Picture Producer of the Year Award for "Forrest Gump"). "I think that’s a common thing that happens in relationships. In the beginning you’re fun and vivacious; you’re newly in love and the world’s just grand. But if the relationship lasts, the monotony of life, at times, can kick in. Gerry wanted to make sure that Holly went back and remembered how full of life she once was." Gerard Butler, star of "300", was cast as Gerry; something the filmmakers considered to be another casting coup. "No one else could have played that part," LaGravenese attests. "Gerard’s spirit and sense of humor and his ability to be masculine and macho and, at the same time, to be so intimate and loving and sweet. I told him it was like he and his character were the same person." Butler remembers meeting with the director. "Within five minutes I was thinking, 'This guy’s amazing,' and it just went from there," the star of "300" recalled. "Obviously, I wanted to work with Hilary and between that and the script, it seemed like the perfect thing to do, and it was. It was a joy to make this film and I can’t say enough good things about working with Hilary. She’s just exceptional." Swank was full of praise for her leading man. "Gerry Butler is such a great guy; I don’t have the words to describe what a joy he is. He has a heart of gold and came to the set every day just wanting to make everything the best it could be. We had so much fun." "Hilary and Gerry are just electric together," says Finerman ("The Fan" & "The Devil Wears Prada"). "Gerry is full of life and a little mischievous, with that twinkle in his eye. And Hilary is an amazingly talented, beautiful actress. She is one of those people who can communicate everything she is thinking and feeling with just her eyes." Besides its two star leads, "P.S. I Love You" boasts a huge support cast, all of whom do exceedingly well in their roles. Holly's two best friends are Sharon McCarthy and Denise Hennessey. Lisa Kudrow plays Denise. "Denise and Sharon seem to represent two aspects of life," the 2006 Gracie Allen Award winning actress said. "Sharon is married and is on her way to building a family, while Denise is still single. She is looking for the right guy, but she doesn’t want to waste time, so she has her checklist. She’s definitely not shy, but, most importantly, she’s a good friend." "Lisa Kudrow is a jewel," says Finerman. "She’s got phenomenal timing, and having someone like that is a gift because her delivery on some of those one liners and the looks she would give were just as funny as they could be." For the role of Sharon, LaGravenese turned to his close friend Gina Gershon, whom he had met through their mutual friendship with prdocer & director Ted Demme ("Blow" & "Rounders". "It was clear to me from the start that I wanted Gina to play Sharon because of what she would personally bring to it and also because I wanted Sharon to have an edge, even though she is the more maternal one of the group," LaGravenese notes. "Sharon is the more mature, grounded one of the bunch," Gershon acknowledges, "even though she is just as capable as Denise of getting together with her friends and having a wild time. Seeing what Holly is going through, Sharon is very compassionate and protective." Academy Award ® winner Kathy Bates stars as Holly's mother, Patricia. "Deep down inside, Patricia is afraid that these letters are not good for Holly, that they are only going to keep her attached to Gerry and not really help her to get over her grief and move on with her life," says Bates. "I think Patricia and Holly have a typical mother/daughter relationship, but at times it’s more strained than others. You come to find out that Patricia was abandoned by her own husband and never really got over it," producer Molly Smith ("Insomnia") observes. Could this be a touch of the mother thinks she knoews best? "I don’t think Patricia ever really liked Gerry. Patricia had big dreams for Holly. She envisioned Holly having the kind of life she never had, but instead Holly comes home from Europe with this man, who reminds Patricia of her own husband, and saddles herself in a relationship that Patricia doesn’t think is going to be worth anything," says Bates. LaGravenese calls working with Kathy Bates "an honor", noting "she is one of my all-time favorite actresses so I was thrilled when she took the role. In fact, I went back and added to her character to give her and Hilary more scenes because how often do you have the privilege of having two great actresses like that together?" The feeling was mutual. "I adore Richard," Bates affirmed. "I want to work with him again and again. He is a beautiful writer and a wonderful actor's director." Harry Connick Jr plays bartender Daniel, who has an instant attraction to Holly. "Daniel is brave enough to speak his mind, and I think that is helpful to Holly in dealing with her loss," says the three time GRAMMY Award winner. But there is a twist in the film, as LaGravenese points out. "There is a lot of music in this movie, but Harry Connick Jr is the only one not singing." Synopsis

Holly is beautiful, smart, and married to the love of her life, a passionate, funny and impetuous Irishman named Gerry. He never worries about anything. She wants a plan for the future. They fight, make up and make love. They're made for each other. But when Gerry's suddenly passes away, it sucks the life out of Holly. The only one who can help her is the person who is no longer there. It's a good thing Gerry planned ahead. Before he died, he wrote Holly a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief but in rediscovering herself. The first message arrives on Holly’s thirtieth birthday in the form of a cake, complete with a tape recorded message from Gerry, who orders her to get out and 'celebrate herself'. In the following weeks and months, more letters from Gerry arrive, each sending Holly of on a new adventure and each signing off in the same way: "P.S. I Love You".

The Verdict "Despite the fact that this film is centred on the loss of a love-one, "P.S. I Love You", absolutely sparkles thanks to it's lead stars and a gorgeous support cast. With names like Hilary Swank, Kathy Bates, Harry Connick Jr and Lisa Kudrow in the cast, the expectation of seeing something special in the way of performances will be high. Thankfully everyone delivers in this heartwinning adaptation of Cecelia Ahern's novel. While the film has it's poignant moments, there are laughs galore as (with the help of the deceased Gerry), Holly sets about rebuilding her life. With director and co-writer Richard LaGravenese at the helm, "P.S. I Love You" is a free-spirited experience I'm sure most cinemagoers will thoroughly enjoy. Yes, there are some unashamedly tear jerking moments, but they are more than balanced by the many up-lifting segments and a delightful 'Irish' connection. Very recommmended. 4 STARS." Cast & Crew Bytes "P.S. I LOVE YOU" stars .......
Hilary Swank ["The Gift", "Insomnia", "The Black Dahlia" and "Freedom Writers"]; Gerard Butler ["Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life", "Dear Frankie" and "The Phantom of the Opera"]; Lisa Kudrow ["Analyze That", "Wonderland" and "Happy Endings"]; Gina Gershon ["Cocktail", "Showgirls", "Driven" and "Delirious"]; Jeffrey Dean Morgan ["Road Kill" and "Chasing Ghosts"]; Dean Winters ["Brooklyn Bound", "Love Rome", "Bristol Boys" and "Dead Calling"]; Kathy Bates ["Used People", "About Schmidt", "Little Black Book" and "Fred Claus"] James Marsters ["House on Haunted Hill", "Chance" & "Cool Money"] and Harry Connick Jr ["Memphis Belle", "Little Man Tate", "Independence Day" and "Life Without Dick"] as Daniel Connelly.
"P.S. I LOVE YOU" was .......
directed by Richard LaGravenese ["Living Out Loud", "Paris je t'aime" and "Freedom Writers"]; screenplay by Steven Rogers ["Hope Floats", "Stepmom" and "Kate & Leopold"] and Richard LaGravenese ["The Fisher King", "The Bridges of Madison County", "The Horse Whisperer" and "Paris, I Love You"]; art direction by Doug Huszti ["Hannibal", "The Royal Tenenbaums", "The Departed" and "American Gangster"]; costume design by Cindy Evans ["Memento", "Laurel Canyon", "Along Came Polly" and "Lords Of Dogtown"]; production design by Shepherd Frankel ["Step Up", "The Grand" and "27 Dresses"]; edited by David Moritz ["Bottle Rocket", "Rushmore", "Knockaround Guys" and "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou"]; cinematography by Terry Stacey ["Bad Bosses Go to Hell", "American Splendor", "The Door in the Floor" and "In Her Shoes"]; original music by John Powell ["I Am Sam", "The Italian Job", "United 93", "Happy Feet" and "The Bourne Ultimatum"]. Who's Who?

Hilary Swank Gerard Butler Lisa Kudrow Harry Connick Jr Gina Gershon Kathy Bates Jeffrey Dean Morgan Ryan Everett Canfield Marcus Collins Tony Devon Mike Doyle

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Holly Kennedy Gerry Kennedy Denise Daniel Connelly Sharon McCarthy Elizabeth William Matt Marcus Travel Agent Leprechaun

Run Time 126 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2007 - Warner Bros - All Rights Reserved ©2007 All Rights Reserved - Protected by Australian & International Copyright. Trademark Laws Apply.