The Letter Men

A provocative film, no doubts. About an impressive collection of love letters, discovered after 74 years after Gordon Bowsher write them to Gilbert Bradley.

Indeed , gay love story, surviving against all shadows of prudence, fears, legislation or prejudices.

But the virtue of Andy Vallentine is to propose to audience, in fair manner, this special story.

A story about the summer of 1940 and the first words, on a ship, under the fly of airplanes , between two guys. One reads. The other flirts.

It is , in same measure, a profound impressive story about peace, in some crumbs, in time of war. And, in so many senses, a film about courage. And intensity of true love.

So, maybe, just a gem.

Opportunistic craft of mediocre artistic quality. Very nice story, colourful visual presentation with camera yet doubtful in details, and awful cast with almost no ability to act not to say of any "chemistry" between the characters.

I can feel the greatness of intentions and budget. But main actors are not fit even for the extras. Awkward poses, frozen facial expressions. And I fear the actors are too old for the characters.

This short film happen to have historical inconsistencies as well (to begin with dates).

In my opinion, the plot could have benefited if audience could have some more details of these letters. Some simple dreams of after the war life etc. We are not even told if the two main characters have met afterwards. Or may be a couple of hints of the danger being discovered (and not in a screen text). Or that Mr Bowsher also had been in some sort of military service. (Or that both main characters had continued to experience other men's love, but, probably, that would have ruined some "romantic flair".)