Scots-born Gerard Butler ("Gerry") sports an American accent and comes from Ireland so maybe this isn't going to be the most plausible rom-com? He has a fiery but loving relationship with his wife "Holly" (Hilary Swank) who can't decide if she wants kids or not. Sadly, his active role in the film is cut short and she is left to deal with the consequences of widowhood. She's not alone on her new journey, though. "Gerry" had anticipated her predicament and left some letters to help her get through the grief and set off on a new path - however reluctantly she might want one. At first it's a cake for her birthday then as more arrive we start to appreciate more about how they met and fell in love. Some disastrous karaoke, temper tantrums and his downright hostile relationship with her mother "Patricia" (Kathy Bates). A trip to Ireland helps her to recalibrate though, and a meeting with local musician "William" (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) makes he realise that her life has plenty of legs in it yet. At home, lifelong friend "Daniel" (Harry Connick Jr.) presses his suit and makes her think even more about her future. Can she find love again? Connick is on decent form as is Bates, but the remainder of this is just a bit too sentimental for mea and the humour doesn't land often enough. There's little by way of chemistry on display and though the letter-writing concept is quite original, the execution becomes just a bit too episodic and Butler tries too hard to make this work. It's perfectly watchable, but is too workmanlike to be memorable.
A young widow discovers that her late husband has left her 10 messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life.
Quick Stats
7.2
TMDB Rating
3,542
Votes
2h 6m
Runtime
$30.0M
Budget
$156.8M
Box Office
523%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorRichard LaGravenese
WriterRichard LaGravenese
CinematographyTerry Stacey
ComposerJohn Powell
EditorDavid Moritz
Production DesignShepherd Frankel
Produced by
Wendy Finerman ProductionsAlcon EntertainmentWarner Bros. PicturesSummit EntertainmentGrosvenor Park Productions
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Critics & Reviews
1 featuredCast

Hilary Swank
Holly

Gerard Butler
Gerry

Lisa Kudrow
Denise

Harry Connick Jr.
Daniel

Gina Gershon
Sharon

Jeffrey Dean Morgan
William

Kathy Bates
Patricia

James Marsters
John

Nellie McKay
Ciara

Anne Kent
Rose Kennedy

Brian McGrath
Martin Kennedy

Dean Winters
Tom

Sherie Rene Scott
Barbara

Susan Blackwell
Vicky

Michael Countryman
Ted







