The Love Letter (1998)

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

hyped garbage

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

My mum and I used to always watch Hallmark's Hall of Fame movies on TV, and of all the sappy movies we watched, only two we ever fell in love with; The Flamingo Rising and The Love Letter. And for the first time, I will be giving spoilers.The Love Letter is about a man named Scott who purchases an antique desk circa the time of the Civil War. In the secret compartment of this desk, Scott finds a love letter to the imaginary lover to Elizabeth Whitcomb, a 29 year old woman who is set up to marry a man she does not love. Through the glorious power of suspended reality and the help of Scott's mother, Scott is able to write back by using ink and paper of the time period, a period stamp, and mailing it at a post office built post-Civil War. Lizzie is able to reply by simply placing the in the compartment, where Scott then finds them. The two fall in love, whilst Scott is engaged to the seemingly dull Debra. Then, when Scott falls into a comma after a bicycle accident, Lizzie visits Boston where she becomes acquainted with Caleb Denby, of the 19th Massachusetts, who just so happens to look like Scott back in the 20th century, yet with a mustache, and is off to Gettysburg. Lizzie writes this, and when Scott wakes, he makes quick haste to look up Mr. Denby, and finds the sad truth that he dies at Gettysburg. Of course, Scott tries to change history, and sends warning, just in time to see his magical post office go up in flames, but his love for Lizzie pushes him through the fire, and he gets the letter off. Lizzie gets it, but Caleb is already in battle, as she rushes out the door, hops a train, and gets a cab to Gettysburg. She finds him in the wounded, though, with only heartbreakingly enough time to exchange a few words before he slips away. And that is where I ball…and I don't stop for the rest of the movie. I believe love lost is the worst thing in the world. I hardly believe that having loved and lost is better than to not have loved at all. The ending is a nice wrap up, with Scott ending up with Lizzie's works, publishing them, and visiting her grave, only to be bowled over by a dog that happens to be owned by a women who just so happens to look exactly like Lizzie.So…why do I love this movie? I have no idea. But each time I watch it, I find myself gripping the sheets in the hopeless effort that maybe just this one time the story will end differently…though it does give you a happy ending…slightly. Meh…depends on your opinion really I guess. Poorly acted for the most part, and only slightly poorly written, The Love Letter stars Campbell Scott as Scott, Jennifer Jason Leigh as Lizzie, and Estelle Parsons (best known for her award winning performance in Bonnie & Clyde) as Scott's mother, who encourages him to reply to Lizzie's letters. The plot is surprisingly more complex than initially thought, and has pleasant, not thought of twists that keep the viewer hooked, that is if they can sit through what I believe to be some of the driest acting on the fact of the planet—quite honestly, I've seen much better in high school plays. But, girls, if you are in that mood where all you want to do is eat chocolate and watch movies that will make you cry, The Love Letter is a must.

I saw this movie, for the first time, on our TV here recently. I found the storyline very touching, and the Chemistry between the main characters extremely good.The only one small thing I found was that neither the Writers nor the Film Makers could do simple mathematics when it came to how long M/s Elizabeth Whitcomb had been dead. We're told that its over 100 years. The "Love letter" found in the desk was dated 1863, when M/s Whitcomb claims to be 29 years old. On her tomb stone, M/s Whitcomb is said to have died aged 67: some 38 years after she wrote that initial letter. 38 + 63 = 101. Therefore, one has to assume that she actually died in 1901: just 97 years prior to the letter being found, rather than over 100 years as stated several times in the movie. Still, I suppose correct mathematics don't really matter in an item of fiction.Despite the above comment, I very much enjoyed this movie, would love to see it again, would recommend it to anyone who likes a good love story, and yes, I WILL be buying the DVD.GOOD, CLEAN ENTERTAINMENT through and through; for which reason, I gave it 10/10. A GREAT LITTLE MOVIE.

I saw this movie on Hallmark with my daughter and until this day, it is our most favorite romantic movie. We saw him at least 3 or 4 times.It is about a man and a woman who are living in different centuries. The scene I like best is when they both go up the stairs and they feel on another, strange but so romantic. And when she goes to him when he is at war and she found him very much hurt, I needed a tissue. I can't wait to buy him on DVD. But in Belgium he is not yet available. Can someone tell me when he would be released in Belgium? I be the first the buy this movie. I like to read about the American History and The Civil War is one of my favorite theme's. Both actors: Campbell Scott and Jennifer Jason Leigh are very good in the movie. They really touched my heart. I hope I can see this movie again soon. I really hope they release him soon in my country.Many greetings Ria Mertens

I love "The Love Letter." That is, I love the very short, very romantic short story by Jack Finney. Dan "Dark Shadows, what does that tell you" Curtis produced the TV movie. He cannot resist sensationalizing literary sources. I have, in my mid-seventies high school journal, blow by by blow reactions to watching the affront to Oscar Wllde that was his TV Movie of "Picture of Dorian Grey." I hated it because he changed major characters and situations from the good old Oscar Wilde original.I hated this TV movie, because Curtis padded and distorted a gem of a very short story to sell to Hallmark. I watched it as one would watch a fascinating wreck.Sorry I'm so loyal to original sources. If you're like me, you'll be annoyed by the Walter Wanger 1939 "Wuthering Heights" and treasure the high-Emily Bronte-content early 70's American International version.Romantics--please read "The Love Letter." You'll love it.