The Letter Writer

Reviews for The Letter Writer are seriously divided, I'm guessing depending on the lens through which the film was viewed. We all want well-done films with exceptional actors, music etc. My guess is that the low ratings are from viewers who put emphasis on that, while positive ratings are from viewers who put more emphasis on the message.

It's a slow paced watch with nearly all the focus on the message. I'm not one for karma type thinking - what you give comes back to you and so on. But I strongly believe in doing one's best to have a positive impact on those around us, regardless of whether or not we're rewarded.

Few of us would be able think of a specific talent to use on behalf of others, but we all have the capacity for kindness. I've had some pretty low days as most of us have, and there have been many days when I felt encouraged by a stranger who gave me a kind smile. Sure, "be kind" is cliché and kinda corny but it's easy and you never know how big an impact it can have on others.

Wow, what beautiful uplifting and thoughtful education of how to be kind and worthy and live a life to be proud of how you treat others. Very worthwhile movie to watch. Aley Underwood realy shines and her voice is angelic. She is very believable character and her coming of age realization of learning how to treat others and make a positive difference in life. Bernie Diamond plays a great teacher of life's lessons passing onto younger generations of how to be kind and worthy. In this day of negativity and hatred, this movie really resonates of what society needs to learn. I highly recommend this movie and how Aley continues her journey.

I just saw it for the second time. It literally teaches you how to be good and have fulfillment in your life. Unbelievably touching and without using any exaggerated story, makes you think deeply and reconcider choices you have before you. I loved it with all of my heart and recommend it to anyone to go and watch this beauty.

I'm not one of those guys who use to write reviews or something, but this movie put another perspective on me. It's like when you can't find way to home an then appear someone who will never rest until not helping you. In its simpleness, The Letter Writer will connect you with that part most people think they lost and that's great because I was one of them and now... I know what I want to be, I know what roads I want to walk and I know... I'm not alone. This movie can save lives, even for people who think there's nothing good in the world. In my opinion, people don't understand things for themselves, so it's necessary to make things easier for them, like this movie does. The Letter Writer is an ESPIRITUAL movie (not religious - people use to confuse both terms), where all broken parts of your soul and heart can be fixed. This movie got the key of life. All depends on you.

Lead actress Aley Underwood ("Maggy") plays a troubled teen in a world where everything has gone wrong for her: a father who never cared, a boyfriend that breaks up with her to be with her best friend, a band that steals her song (that the best friend sings), getting caught cheating on the math test, getting caught stealing from her mother. But one good thing in Maggy's life is a letter she receives out of the blue that lifts her spirit.

This is the "inciting incident." Aley Underwood carries the entire movie. She shows a great deal of charm and vulnerability (and a strong resemblance to a young Katie Holmes), but she cannot save what amounts to a vanity production. Writer/director/composer/producer Christian Vuissa created something that might have been mildly entertaining for his church group, but as a feature, it fails across the board.

The first thing we noticed is that the sound was not mixed well. That did not bode well for as far as we got, which was about fifty-percent of the film. Next, the dialogue is cliched and stilted and on-the-nose. I felt bad, especially for Aley, that she had to speak in such an unnatural way.

Although the idea is very sweet -- that some elderly man in a seniors' home (Bernie Diamond, looking ancient) writes letters to strangers every day to uplift their spirits, and that somehow one of these letters reaches Maggy and changes her life -- we also have to endure what Christian must imagine to be hit songs sung by Maggy and her questionable band. The first hour is a slog. The last forty minutes have a few tender moments and again, Aley carries the entire production on her young back.

It seems that Aley did not really pursue her career, which is kind of sad. With her smoky eyes, Hollywood smile, and charm and sparkle, she could have carved out a career for herself. At the same time, if these were the type of scripts coming her way, she may have packed up her tent and fled for the hills.

Could have been so much better.