P.S. I Love You (2007) is a romantic drama directed by Richard LaGravenese, based on the bestselling novel by Cecelia Ahern. The film stars Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow, and Harry Connick Jr. It is a heartfelt and emotionally charged story about love, loss, and healing, as a young widow navigates the grief of losing her husband and finds unexpected ways to cope with her loss.
The story follows Holly Kennedy (played by Hilary Swank), a young woman living in New York City, who is devastated by the sudden death of her husband Gerry (Gerard Butler). After his death, Holly is consumed by grief and struggles to imagine a future without him. However, she soon discovers that Gerry, knowing his illness (a terminal brain tumor), prepared a series of letters to help her cope with his passing and move forward with her life. These letters, each signed with “P.S. I Love You,” are left for Holly to read in the months following his death.
The letters, sent by Gerry to Holly over time, are meant to guide her through her grief and encourage her to take risks, rediscover her passions, and open her heart to new experiences. As Holly reads each letter, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, reawakening her relationships with friends and family, and ultimately finding the strength to live again.
In addition to the emotional rollercoaster of Holly’s journey, the film explores her relationships with her close-knit group of friends, including Sharon (Gina Gershon), Denise (Lisa Kudrow), and her mother Pat (Kathy Bates). Throughout the film, the letters help Holly find the courage to start a new chapter in her life while preserving the cherished memories of her time with Gerry.
As Holly struggles with the emotional and practical implications of moving on without Gerry, she also begins to find new love and connection, realizing that while her marriage to Gerry was incredibly special, life can still offer new possibilities and happiness.