P.S. you'll love it

Holly (Hilary Swank) is widowed when her Irish music-loving husband Gerry (Gerald Butler) dies of a brain tumor. Devastated, Holly can hardly function until she finds out that, before he died, Gerry wrote a series of letters and planned a unique way for each of them to reach her. The letters inspire Holly to be the person he knows she is, and all are signed "P.S. I love you." The letters are designed to help her cope with the loss and let go, as well as help her to learn to love again.

Holly’s friends and sidekicks are played by Lisa Kudrow and Harry Connick Jr., who help provide the comedic relief, each with their quirky personalities and Kudrow’s hilarious pick-up lines. Constant flashbacks allow us to see Holly and Gerry’s romance and relationship while he was still alive. An unconventional ending tops off the already brilliant film, making it an unlikely combination of humor and heart that actually works.

The characters are honest, real and believable, and make the sad portions bearable. Although any preview you ever saw will make you think you’re about to see a cute and cliché love story, be ready for devastatingly sad heartbreak. Still, through its originality, the film manages to leave viewers feeling uplifted.

Special features include a conversation with the novel’s author, Cecilia Ahern, James Blunt’s music video for "Same Mistake," and the secret to playing snaps, a game mentioned in the movie. Several additional scenes aren’t really anything worth watching, including an especially sad one of Gerry booking a trip for Holly just weeks before he dies.

Writer and director Richard LaGravenese is more often recognized for films like "Freedom Writers" and "The Bridges of Madison County." Trying something new certainly worked and suggests he ought to take the reins on another romantic comedy next time around.