The Love Letter (1999)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Peter Chan

Writers (WGA):

Cathleen Schine (novel)
Maria Maggenti (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 May 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

No one knows who sent it. No one knows who it's for. But everyone's getting the same message.

Plot:

The power of words and images to open hearts. Helen runs, miles a day, to burn off energy: she's an emotional celibate...

Plot Keywords:

Arm Wrestling | Small Town | Playing Footsie | Bookstore | Love Letter

Cast

Kate Capshaw	...	Helen
Blythe Danner	...	Lillian MacFarquhar
Ellen DeGeneres	...	Janet Hall
Julianne Nicholson	...	Jennifer
Tom Everett Scott	...	Johnny
Tom Selleck	...	George Matthias
Gloria Stuart	...	Eleanor
Bill Buell	...	Officer Dan
Alice Drummond	...	Postal Clerk
Erik Jensen	...	Ray
Margaret Ann Brady	...	Selma
Jessica Capshaw	...	Kelly
Walter Covell	...	Post Office Customer
Patrick Donnelly	...	Bookstore Customer
Lucas Hall	...	Garbage Man

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 on appeal for some sensuality, nudity and strong language.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG-13 (certificate #36560) (re-rating on appeal) | South Korea:12 | USA:R (original rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:M | Norway:A | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:15 | Singapore:PG | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Goofs:

Continuity: Johnny jumps in the ocean with his socks on but when he emerges seconds later his feet are bare

Quotes:

Janet Hall: [surrounded by a group of women in the cafe hanging on her every word] ... so that is my feelings on salt and pepper and sugar. Condiments: let's move onto that. Ketchup: obviously the most popular condiment. I don't think anybody's going to disagree with me on that one. First of all, always wipe the bottles down. Sticky: there's nothing grosser than that. I mean, i'm sure there's something grosser... but it's pretty gross to have it sticky when you're trying to have a...

Movie Connections:

References Love Story (1970)

Soundtrack:

Only The Lonely

A Web Of Missed Opportunities And Mixed Feelings...Because Of A Letter

'The Love Letter' is quite a gentle breezy sort of romantic comedy- drama. It's about opportunities that are missed because people aren't more forward about their feelings. The humour isn't wacky like in most American films. Assuming the director's seat, Chan does quite a good job of portraying the small dockside town and introducing its quirky characters. The story interestingly intertwines the lives of the characters through a love letter. The dialogues are pleasant and the acting is quite good. Kate Capshaw does a good job of carrying the film and maintains a good chemistry with her co-stars. Tom Everett Scott fits the part.It was odd to see Danner play Capshaw's mother because the age difference did not seem believable enough. Tom Selleck was alright. Ellen Degeneres and Geraldine McEwan are scene stealers. In addition, I was amazed by the whimsical soundtrack that flows beautifully with the film, pumping some energy into it and would work well as a standalone score. IU felt the film would have benefited more had their been more comedic situations. At times it gets too serious and that needed to be toned down a little. I liked how it ended without showing the two lovers kissing (as has been evident in x number of rom-coms) but instead suggesting a promising future for them together. 'The Love Letter' was a pleasant watch, a kind of slice of life film.