“P.S. I Love You” Movie Review… (Writing for PR & Promo)

If ever there was a film that could take  you through a roller coaster of emotions of laughing and crying, the romantic comedy “P.S. I Love You” starring Hillary Swank (Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don’t Cry) and Gerard Butler (300, The Ugly Truth) will most certainly tug at the heartstrings.

Based on the 2004 novel of the same name, set in Ireland, by Cecelia Ahern, “P.S. I Love You” tells the endearing story of Holly (Swank) and Gerry (Butler), a happily married couple living in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York. Having met and marrying at a young age against their families approval,  Holly – a beautiful, smart and creative woman with a lot of potential – and Gerry – a quirky, fun, and  passionate Irishman – were perfect for each other in every way possible. So much so that when Gerry’s life is taken by an illness, Holly is sent into a spiraling down into withdrawal from family and friends in depression, denial, and hallucinations. I am actually quite pleased that they did not spend to much time on this portion of the story because if you have lost anyone that you have cared about and most of us have, we get it. However, they do show just enough to append the time that passes from his death until the day of her 30th birthday when her mother and three of her best friends visit to wish her happy birthday only to find the deeply distraught Holly riddled in a mess of tears and three weeks of junk in her apartment.  It was then a cake is delivered for Holly and in it a tape recording from Gerry that tells her he will be sending the first of several letters to come soon that will instruct her to do the things that he has planned in advance while on his death bed. The first message in the recording tells her that she must get out and “celebrate herself.”

Over the weeks, months, and seasons that follow new messages arrive from Gerry that send Holly on a new adventure of both the heartaches of memory lane with Gerry and of the new experiences and encouragement that come with moving forward in life. Each message of course is ended with “P.S. I Love You,”  just in case you did not see that detail coming already. Throughout the movie we embark on Holly’s journey through Gerry’s words that, even though her friends and mother believe are keeping her tied to the past, are slowly helping her push forward to the future and rediscover herself. After one of the letters sends Holly and her two best friends to Ireland, Holly returns home to Manhattan only to retreat back into withdrawal after learning of a couple of secrets her two friends reveal. During her retreat, Holly discovers a new-found self-confidence and flair for designing shoes that  allows her to emerge from her solitude and embrace her friends’ happiness. With her new found discoveries Holly has found that there is in fact life after death.

I would aim to guess that the main target for this film would be couples and women. Most guys probably will not like it, but if they are in a serious relationship and are passionate about who they are with, then I can guarantee that this film will most certainly give the guy more perspective on just how much more he could show the women in his life just how much he cares for them. I found that this movie was very pleasant to watch as the characters really deliver heart-felt performances. As well, I really enjoyed the overall dialogue and cinematography. I highly recommend this movie for the woman looking for a good cry or the couple looking to spend time and appreciate each other in the end. As I said before, be warned, you will cry. Yes, even you gentlemen.

“The Ugly Truth” Movie Review… (Writing for PR & Promo)

The wonderful smell of pop-corn fills the air and with a few concession items in hand, my girlfriend and I are out on a date to see a movie. The worthy viewing choice? None other than “The Ugly Truth,” a wonderfully entertaining romantic comedy about the battle of the sexes. Can you handle the truth?

Mike Alexander – a chauvinistic morning talk-show commentator, played by Gerard Butler (300, Phantom of the Opera) – host a segment known as “The Ugly Truth,” where he dishes out the hardcore truth about the relationship between men and women and what makes them tick. Abby – an aggressive, list-making, type-A personality, television producer, played by Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy, Knocked Up) – is a woman who just cannot seem to find her perfect guy. After verbally sparing on-air when Abby calls in to Mike’s show, she finds herself having to work side-by-side with him when her boss teams them up to help bring ratings up for their show.

Curiosity got the best of me before deciding to write this review as I was wondering what other reviews were out there that were written by men. Turns out that there is a lot of them. Not surprising is it that I discovered most of them either gave it a bad or very mediocre review. The ugly truth for them? They can’t handle the truth. Why is that you wonder? Probably because they saw the ugly truth in themselves and are just trying to deny it by lashing out on the movie itself. A quality I seem to notice a lot about movie reviewers (more on this another time).

You want it from a real mans point of view? While the story-line and dialogue are quite predictable, in the same vein as “How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days,” and where there are some very over-the-top moments where the truth is stretched, there are actually a lot of good things about this movie. Now, it makes sense that like most “chick-flicks,”  a lot of women will and most guys just will not like it, but I bet the secure and more mindfully aware they are of themselves, those are the ones who will enjoy it. The whole concept of the story is written and designed to make the viewer think and feel just a little uncomfortable, because let’s face it, at some point in your life you have have known someone just like the characters or you yourself are or once were those people. I know that I have. You can deny it all you want, but that is the ugly truth.

Yes the movie pokes fun of stereotypes. Yes, it is cheesy. It is a romantic comedy! That is what it is suppose to be like. Even though one could pick it apart from a cinematic point of view, the ugly truth is that most people do not go to see movies to analyze them, they go for the experience and emotions that they give to us. I recommend this movie. Ladies – most of you will like it if you are into romantic comedies and fun stuff as such, Guys – own up, be a man, admit and enjoy it.  Though I especially recommend couples go see it – you will have many fun things to talk about afterward if you are a good communicator. I promise you this – you will laugh and you will enjoy this movie very much, if you can accept The Ugly Truth.