L'ultimo San Valentino

I saw The Lost Valentine a few months ago on you tube it was the kind of movie that pulls at the heartstrings and makes you believe that when it comes to true love anything is possible. Betty White is a fantastic woman and actress having seen her comedic performance as Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls and other television shows as well as films.

This is a movie that touched my heart not just because of it's content but also due to the wonderful performances of it's talented cast featuring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sean Faris, Bill Magnussen & Meghann Fahy. There were a few scenes that brought tears to my eyes such as when White's character learns the tale about her husband's fate and when his body is brought back home and given a proper service, seeing her finally get to say goodbye was emotional.

On Valentine's Day 1944, it's Neil Thomas's (Magnussen's) first wedding anniversary and his pregnant wife Caroline (Fahy) has gone to the train station to say farewell as he goes to fight in World War II. He makes a promise that he might not be able to keep and that is he'll return home safe by the next anniversary, 66 years later a now elderly Caroline (White) accompanied by her grandson Lucas (Faris) has come to the train station every year on valentine's day in the hopes that she will finally welcome her husband home.

The story is brought to cynical reporter Susan Allison (Hewitt) who at first refers to it as a fluff piece rather than the true tale that it is, she apologizes and the interview begins. As it progresses Caroline talks about how she & Neil met, to their wedding day and the house they fixed up that she still resides in and how for all these years she's been unable to get any information from the navy about her husband. Also Susan & Lucas appear to be falling for each other, as the film gets close to it's conclusion she hears about what Neil sacrificed in order for others to live and with help from Susan's ex boyfriend Andrew(Chase) they locate a Filipino man named Morang (Zano) who via teleconference tells the truth about what happened to Lieutenant Thomas he was killed by a Japanese sniper and then buried. Seeing her reaction to the news was heartbreaking, I mean her love for him was what kept her going all those years and never did she give up hope that somehow he would return.

The final scene shows Caroline dancing in her garden reminiscing about happy times she shared with Neil and a vision of him appears with his arms around her while they dance. The Lost Valentine is a wonderful story not just for 2011 but for all times and anyone who believes in true love.

Caroline Thomas (Betty White), a grandmother, goes to the train station every Valentine's Day. It was there that she last saw her husband, Neal, who was shipped off to the Pacific during World War II. Also, the two of them, young and in love, were married on February 24th so its a special day. Since the day Caro got the telegram stating that her husband was missing in action, this fine lady makes this gesture of hope that he will return one day. Luckily, she does have loving support from her handsome grandson, Lucas (Sean Faris), whose father never met his dad, Neal, because his birth came after the squadron was sent away, too. By some happenstance, the story of Caroline's faithful station visits comes to the producers of a show called American Diaries. They send beautiful reporter, Susan (Jennifer Love Hewitt) to Mrs. Thomas' house to investigate the possibility of doing a human interest television spot on the war widow. At first, she is a bit reluctant, but soon she is delivering a captivating tale to Susan. Grandson Lucas also spars with Susan a few times but then grows warmer in his attitude. This begins to complicate the situation because Susan is almost engaged to another globe-trotting reporter named Andrew (Will Chase). Then, Caroline has a mild heart attack. Also, Susan discovers that she may have path to discover what did happen to Neal. So, will the program be made and will it include the truth about Neal's fate? This lovely film deserves to be FOUND, by anyone and everyone. It is just terrific in every way, from the cast to the production to the heart-felt story. White doesn't get to display much of her sensational humor but she is great in a more serious role than she normally undertakes. Love-Hewitt and Faris make a very fine, potentially romantic duo. Also, the flashbacks to the forties are made with care, providing a wonderful glimpse into an era gone by. Do you want to spend an evening at home with the best possible entertainment? Then, silly, don't wait and go find The Lost Valentine.

"Isn't there supposed to be magic?"

Caroline Thomas, played by Betty White, was a twenty year old WWII war widow who was left pregnant and alone. Every year for 40 plus years she has been going to the train station on Valentine's Day just in case her husband came home.

She knew her husband Neal since grade-school but they lost touch and weren't reunited until 1942, while Caroline was working for the USO and Neal was a Navy pilot.

"One thing people learned from the war was not to waste time."-Caroline.

I love the time period and I loved the storyline. Betty White put in a fantastic performance and she was well supported by the fellow cast including Jennifer Love-Hewitt.

Sometimes I think that Betty is risking overexposure considering all she has been in lately, but then you see something like this. Wow! Did the other actors bow down on the set in "we're not worthy" reverence? They should have. All the actors were fine in their roles - no big issues with any of them. Betty just stepped it up several notches.

You watch something like this that links to such an iconic time in history. You realize that there are fewer folks around who lived it, and maybe they know or knew something we have forgotten. Like how to love completely and forever. They are now old and generally carry their hurts with such grace and dignity that it can really pull the tears out when you get a glimpse at what their life has forced them to bear. Betty makes you believe it totally. Let's keep her around forever.

Hallmark Movies have long been synonymous with Tear Jerkers and sometimes multiple tissues required.

This movie is no exception. Betty White stars as a young mother to be whose husband goes off to war as a pilot and becomes missing in action. Jennifer Love Hewitt is a news reporter wanting to do a story about the lost love and hopes to help find out exactly what happened to the missing pilot. The plot also features an absent boyfriend and grandson as potential new love interest.

Good movie - worth a view!