The Love Letter (1999)

The power of words and images to open hearts. Helen runs, miles a day, to burn off energy: she's an emotional celibate. Going through the post at her shop, she finds a romantic and poetic ... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Ho-Sun Chan

Writers:

Cathleen Schine (novel), Maria Maggenti (screenplay)

Stars:

Kate Capshaw, Tom Everett Scott, Tom Selleck

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

The power of words and images to open hearts. Helen runs, miles a day, to burn off energy: she's an emotional celibate. Going through the post at her shop, she finds a romantic and poetic letter between the couch cushions, unsigned, and thinks it's for her. It melts her resistance to feelings, and soon she undertakes an affair with Johnny, a collegiate employee. (He sees the letter and thinks she wrote it to him; he quotes some of it, so she thinks he wrote it to her.) In the background are Helen's long-time friend, George, who loves her, and her mother who abruptly left on a long trip months before. Discovering who actually wrote the letter brings insight and promise.

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Plot Keywords:

male bare feet | female bare feet | playing footsie | love letter | fireman | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 May 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Destinataire inconnu

Filming Locations:

Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,692,819, 23 May 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$8,276,228, 18 July 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks,Sanford/Pillsbury Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the film Tom Selleck was intended to plug during his appearance on the Rosie O'Donnell Show. Instead the now famous aggressive debate over gun laws ensued.

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Goofs

When Helen's grandmother pulls into the driveway they show Florida plates on the front of her Jaguar. Florida does not have front license plates.

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Quotes

Text of the letter: Dearest, Do you know how much in love with you I am? Did I trip? Did I stumble - lose my balance, graze my knee, graze my heart? I know I'm in love when I see you. I know when I long to see you, I'm on fire. Not a muscle has moved. Leaves hang unruffled by any breeze. The air is still. I have fallen in love without taking a step. You are all wrong for me and I know it, but I can no longer care for my thoughts unless they are thoughts of you. When I am close to you, I feel your hair brush my ...
[...]

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Connections

References Old Yeller (1957)

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Soundtracks

Si Mi Chiamano Mimi
From La Bohème
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa & Luigi Illica

User Reviews

A nice attempt at a French movie

This is not typical Hollywood cookie cutter love story. The tone and style reek of French cinema (although it doesn't seem to be a remake). There are some lovely performances, and exquisite scenes. I found myself smiling a lot throughout this movie, and will look out for more of the directors work. Plus anything that gives Geraldine McEwan work is to be supported.