Love Letters

I stumbled across Love Letters on TV one morning and was immediately struck by the clever way in which its done. Re-reading all their old letters, delving into their past, reliving their history. How many of us havent done that? I was spellbound and stayed glued to the screen to the end. The film is so clever. It does stay in one place, rarely straying from the room, and some will find this boring, but have we lost all imagination that we have to have endless action and moving about to stay entertained? The story and the way the two characters relate to one another, weaving in and out of each others lives, is a masterpiece; and I am disappointed it never made it to the big screens (too boring hah?);- I would like to have bought it on video. (and DVD) I suppose in a sense it is like Steel Magnolias, but whereas that *can* be slow, and certainly sentimental, Love Letters, is sharp and unfussy. I only wish the years didnt pass by so quickly. Laura Linney is now my favourite actress, and I leap to record Love Letters each time it appears on TV (just in case!);- even the most unemotional of viewers will find something to appreciate.

This movie was very well done. The history of the life long affair and correspondence of Melissa and Andrew was involved and captured my attention from the start. The movie reminded me of the power of words in a relationship. It brought tears to my eyes by the end of movie. It was wonderful and I hope that it is released on video for purchase, as I forgot to start my VCR.

I saw this movie as a morning feature on private cable, and to inform myself I read the comments on IMDB, which do not serve the movie well. True, it is a bit quirky at times, which one can obviously trace back to it being made for cable, but all in all it was damn capturing and very innovative. The way the whole love- and life story of the two very different characters unfolds in the single room of a private office, is quite unusual and striking at times. Laura Linney, one of the best and most subtle actresses working at the moment, portrays all the guilt and shame and anger of a life gone awry, of pain drenched in alcohol, while Steven Weber, a little pale next to her boosting energy, does quite well in showing a man who has to keep his life in control, even though his heart cries out for his life-long best friend and the love of his life. I mean, this really is not a waste of time! And its not like watching a play on TV, its like watching a relationship, unfolding in all its little twists and turns and complications, changing and dwindling in time. Absolutely recommendable.

I work at home with the TV on. I usually just listen to whatever movie is playing but when this movie started, I tried to work at first glancing once in a while on the screen. But as the movie wore on, I just had to stop work and just sit in front of the TV so as not to miss anything. By the end if it I was shedding tears. I found this to be a truly moving movie and I can't wait to see it again. Steve Weber and Laura Linney put in tremendously subtle yet passionate performances that I've put them in my mental list of actors/actresses to watch from now on.

If you have seen the live stage play, the movie version has no resemblance to it whatsoever in terms of overall concept, other than the basic plot. The stage play, or reading might be a better description, forces the audience to listen, and use their imagination. It is a unique and fascinating production. If you liked the movie, there is no guarantee that the stage version would be your cup of tea.