C
Hillary Swank does not have the chin for romance or the rhythm for comedy. Her two Oscars were for earnest, androgynous roles (“Boys Don’t Cry” and “Million Dollar Baby”) that made the most of her strong jaw and lanky...
| Audience: | High School |
| MPAA Rating: | Rated PG-13 for sexual references and brief nudity. |
| Movie Release Date: | December 21, 2007 |
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I completely agree with you on everything in your review, save for Hilary Swank. I think she is one of the finest actresses to begin with, but I felt she proved that she could be good in the more comedic moments. I'm glad she didn't make her performance too cutesy and smiley and over-the-top, as a lot of romantic leads sometimes do. She seemed realer than that, even if, alas, the film she found herself in was not.
i really liked this movie, but i think ur being a little unfair about the sex w/ strangers, gerry's frinend isnt a stranger. next time, be more fair.
Thanks for posting, Hannah! Holly had sex with someone she had just met, about whom she knew almost nothing except that he was a musician and Irish. So, that meets my definition of a stranger. The fact that she found out the next day that he knew her late husband did not mean that they knew each other. So, I'd be interested to hear why you think he was not a stranger.
I thought this film was touching, poignant and it touched on so many nuances that most people can relate to. It also had some excellent dialogue, and was extremely funny. I loved the relationships between the characters, and that Holly was able to be independent and heal-it didn't have a quick snappy fix for her, nor did it end in a sad way. I absolutely loved this movie, and was astonished at how much it impacted me.
Thanks for writing, Patricia. I am always glad when someone sees more in a movie than I do and your comments illuminated the movie's greatest strengths. I agree with you about the ending and about the dialogue, and I think Ahern achieved a great deal for such a young woman and look forward to whatever she does next.
I listen to your reviews on KOST-FM, but missed this one and just decided to look it up. I've seen this film 7 times now (going for 8 tomorrow) so (obviously) I love it. I've also taken others with me each time and all of them have loved it too, and friends who have gone because I recommended it loved it. I remain baffled by the drubbing it received from critics and how many feel Hilary Swank was ill-cast as Holly. I think Hilary has amazing comedic timing and the fact that I find myself still laughing heartily each time I see it, even after so many viewings, is a testament to her abilities (in my eyes). I was very touched by her portrayal of the widow left so bereft she can no longer function let alone plan after her oh-so-charming husband has died, yet the sad moments are tempered by great comedy. I agree there are moral situations that make this not a great choice as family fare but the majority of the audiences I've seen have been adults, with the youngest appearing to be in their late teens, which seems about right to me.
Thanks for writing (and for listening), Susan! As I said above to Patricia, I am always glad when someone sees more in a movie than I do. All critics can do is express our own response to a movie in a way that is, we hope, interesting to read and descriptive enough so that you can decide whether the movie is right for you. There have been plenty of movies where my view was different from critics, audiences, or both (and I often remain convinced that the world will come around to my way of thinking eventually). I appreciate your appreciation of this film and am grateful to you for sharing it with me.
I've noticed that you made a minor mistake in the 3rd last paragraph.
'this movie Very sad (off-screen) death'
Isn't it supposed to be 'this movie has a very sad (off-screen) death' instead?
Also, I have the book from which this movie is based. It seems that the movie has nothing in common with the book, other than the characters and the plot. Have you read the book, Movie Mom? If you have, do you prefer the book or the movie?
Casey, by my count you only have three more mistakes to go before you get a free copy of my book! Keep it up! I have not read the "PS I Love You" book but books and movies are two very different art forms. The best movie adaptations of books often make very big changes to make the story more visual and dramatic.
Thanks for counting my corrections, Movie Mom. I don't really remember how mistakes I've spotted, as my intention is to correct the errors in your reviews as to prevent possible confusion for other readers of your reviews. But thanks anyway!
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