P.S. I Love You: A Tearjerker for those Who Love Romantic Comedies

Hillary Swank stars as Holly Kennedy in the romantic comedy "P.S. I Love You." Holly is married to the fun and boisterous Irishman, Gerry (played by Gerard Butler), who dies of a brain tumor. With knowledge of his impending death, Gerry creates a series of messages to his wife to help her ease through her mourning process. Each message tasks her with another mission like singing karaoke or visiting Ireland, with the idea that these little adventures will draw her from her self-imposed cocoon. Along the way, she is supported by her two friends, Sharon and Denise (played by Gina Gershon and Lisa Kudrow), her mother (Kathy Bates) and a very charming and lovable Daniel (Harry Connick, Jr.).

Gerry and Holly have a great life together, but just short of her 30th birthday he dies of a brain tumor. Unable to console herself, Holly withdraws from the world until she receives a birthday cake and tape recording from her deceased husband. In the recording, Gerry tells his widow to get out and live a little. During the next few months, more messages arrive from Gerry, with additional instructions, guiding her though her grieving and helping her rediscover herself, with the end of each letter signed p.s. I love you. In the end, Holly is finally able to find her life again as well as heal her broken heart.

Although completely opposite from some of his other roles, like King Leonidas in "300", Gerard Butler does a fine job of playing the happy-go-lucky romantic husband. His evident charm and natural appeal to the ladies makes him shine in this role. Hillary Swank, while delivering a competent performance, is still a little hard to swallow as the sappy, heartbroken widow. Stand-up performances by Kathy Bates and Lisa Kudrow help buoy this film but Harry Connick, Jr. steals every scene he's in. As the bartender-friend who says whatever he thinks, Connick's charm brings some well-needed laughter to an otherwise overly sappy movie.