Two storylines (past + present) CAN work in films but it's a delicate balance. Honestly, the present day romance should have dropped and the 1960s story should have been the focus. As it were, the present day story tried to be a rom-com which wasn't very funny and the 1960s got shortchanged with too many montage sequences to tell the story instead of actual scenes. Montages don't build feelings for the characters! Cinematography and costumes and lighting in the 1960s story was gorgeous. A lot of potential here, but it should have been a limited series instead of a movie in order to do the book justice.
194 Reviews
Enjoyable, but missed opportunities
smasonnc29 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was fun to watch for the period vibe, but Shailene Woodley was miscast. Although she is a wonderful actress, she is neither glamorous nor vulnerable enough to make it work. Her strong suit is emotional range, but she is more of a strong 21st century type than a lonely, forlorn socialite. I never forgot that she was in costume and she didn't have much chemistry with "Boot." Instead of sparks, it was more like they were flinging wet matches.
Speaking of costumes, Woodley's wardrobe was often ill fitting or anachronistic (Did fashionable people still wear pillbox hats in 1969?) and once even made her look dumpy when she was supposed to be radiant. She would look good in a grocery bag so how did they even do that? Better 60s music would have taken us there and touched emotional chords. I thought the two elder leads had more chemistry and it was great to see Ben Cross. Sorry to see him go.
Amnesia...really? Is this the Young and Restless? Nobody buys that.
Not bad, but I liked ithis movie better when it was called "An Affair to Remember."
Speaking of costumes, Woodley's wardrobe was often ill fitting or anachronistic (Did fashionable people still wear pillbox hats in 1969?) and once even made her look dumpy when she was supposed to be radiant. She would look good in a grocery bag so how did they even do that? Better 60s music would have taken us there and touched emotional chords. I thought the two elder leads had more chemistry and it was great to see Ben Cross. Sorry to see him go.
Amnesia...really? Is this the Young and Restless? Nobody buys that.
Not bad, but I liked ithis movie better when it was called "An Affair to Remember."
The Last Letter From Your Lover
JoBloTheMovieCritic23 July 2021
intriguing start to old style romance
SnoopyStyle1 August 2021
It's 1965 London. Jennifer Stirling (Shailene Woodley) returns home to her husband Laurence (Joe Alwyn) after a stay in the hospital. They're wealthy from the stuffy upper crust of society. It's a loveless and childless marriage. He's controlling and she's pining for escape. The couple goes on vacation. Reporter Anthony O'Hare (Callum Turner) arrives to interview Laurence. In modern day London, Ellie Haworth (Felicity Jones) is a dissatisfied single gal. She's been assigned to write a bio for a former editor of her paper. She had recently died and left her archival material with the paper. Ellie finds a mysterious love letter which intrigues her to investigate further.
I like the start. It has good potential although the back and forth in time period always held a danger to the narrative flow. One side or the other could falter and stall the entire movie. To me, the emotional high point is the dinner early in the movie. This is a movie about Jennifer seeking independence from Laurence more than about a love story between Jennifer and Anthony. On top of that, they do the Love Affair turn going to meet on top of the Empire State Building. I'm disappointed that they're doing this old trope. Quite frankly, I'd rather have him die and she has to find independence by herself. The other side has a smaller issue for me. I want Rory to be more. They try to do the combative meet-cute between Ellie and Rory but he doesn't hold up his side of the bargain. He's too weak to fight back. This is an old style romance and there is nothing wrong with that. It's simply not anything more than passable.
I like the start. It has good potential although the back and forth in time period always held a danger to the narrative flow. One side or the other could falter and stall the entire movie. To me, the emotional high point is the dinner early in the movie. This is a movie about Jennifer seeking independence from Laurence more than about a love story between Jennifer and Anthony. On top of that, they do the Love Affair turn going to meet on top of the Empire State Building. I'm disappointed that they're doing this old trope. Quite frankly, I'd rather have him die and she has to find independence by herself. The other side has a smaller issue for me. I want Rory to be more. They try to do the combative meet-cute between Ellie and Rory but he doesn't hold up his side of the bargain. He's too weak to fight back. This is an old style romance and there is nothing wrong with that. It's simply not anything more than passable.
Watch this before you read the book
kkuhl-8718324 July 2021
I wish I had watched this before reading the book because I think I could have really enjoyed it more. I LOVED the book...devoured it in two days...so it was tough to see it essentially butchered by the movie. I will say that the movie ending gave me the goosebumps that I didn't get from the book, so bravo there. I truly think this was a good movie, but I think to really appreciate it, wait to read the book.
ROMANCE IS NOT DEAD
soumyabratamajumder253 August 2021
So good to see a feel good ol hollywood romantic drama after such a long time. They don't make these kinda movies any more for theatres and the ones they make for streaming are usually bad and they look and feel like a TV movie. But this one doesn't, this looks like it was made for big screen and it had all the charm the feel that these movies used to give us 15 years ago.
Not much to say about the story. Its slow but intriguing. Shailene Woodley is wonderful on screen and felicity jones is a delight.
Not much to say about the story. Its slow but intriguing. Shailene Woodley is wonderful on screen and felicity jones is a delight.
Book is better!
pyytvcp5 September 2021
As always, the book is by far better than the movie. The casting felt off, chemistry between actors wrong, and the changes made to accommodate a movie version were unfortunate. Overall, without the book it's a fine movie...I'd say skip the movie, read the book!
Finally a Netflix original movie worth watching.
OpheliaV25 July 2021
I'm not a big fan of romantic films. I usually get bored and never make it to the end of the movie. This one though, really spoke to me. I absolutely loved the acting, the plot, the scenery was beautiful... I honestly have nothing bad to say (strangely enough since this is a Netflix original movie). I was hesitant at first, I was not expecting anything impressive or out of the ordinary, but this film definitely proved me wrong. It's both emotional and romantic but realistic and raw at the same time. In case you haven't watched it yet, give it a shot, it's worth it.
The Last Note Letter without a book
kosmasp25 July 2021
Well I can only imagine it is based on a book. And considering the similarities I can detect with Notebook (one of the best romantic dramas to ever grace our screens or wherever you choose to watch it) ... that should not be a surprise.
Having said that, the movie has also really good actors for the different time periods it is playing and dishing out to us. You have to be inclined to like romantic movies at least a little ... otherwise do not even think about watching this. The timelines work (both) and you can see the connection (I don't think it is too hard to predict most of what is going to happen ... which is not really a bad thing ... it is the journey after all we embark on, that is the one that excites us)
Having said that, the movie has also really good actors for the different time periods it is playing and dishing out to us. You have to be inclined to like romantic movies at least a little ... otherwise do not even think about watching this. The timelines work (both) and you can see the connection (I don't think it is too hard to predict most of what is going to happen ... which is not really a bad thing ... it is the journey after all we embark on, that is the one that excites us)
Good but nothing special
TheRedSunset23 July 2021
I honestly expected more romance and more heartwrench from the movie but the romance comes off as a little bland and there is little chemistry between the main characters although I would credit this mostly to the writing. It however makes for a nice drama and a good Saturday comfort watch.
7/10 Surprisingly good
Hellooo123432124 July 2021
Not A Romance, More A Tawdry Adulterous Fling!
martimusross28 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The Last Letter From Your Lover
I enjoyed this movie while I watched it, but with hindsight it was riddled with some bizarre plot holes and was just overly contrived.
What was good, the styling and cinematography was ravishing and definitely brought up this movie. From the wallpapers to the interiors, not to mention the hair and the fabulous sixties fashions, this aspect was a treat and then set this is the Côte d'Azur how could you fail.
The whole ensemble was committed, but Jennifer Stirling played by Shailene Woodley was a triumph of making some terrible scenarios and clunky script work. Callum Turner dominated his scenes and just gets better and better!
The main problems,
I could see little romance, a decadent wife of a industrialist embarks, out of boredom, on a tawdry holiday romance. She then flirts with the idea of running away from her "awful" marriage. Due to circumstance this fails, she then has a child and lives the next 30 years with her "terrible" husband for fear her child is taken from her.
Of course this is drivel, the husband stood by her knowing her folly, and despite being cuckolded he clearly loved her and seemed very kind to her, if she had wanted to leave she could have left the minute the child reached 16, the laws on divorce changed in 1971 so she was not trapped, and her lover was a well known journalist in New York, hardly difficult to track down.
The societal comment on the state of romanticism today, portrayed by Ellie and Rory, reflected how much today is all about me, me and more me, hardly convincing when it is self-evident that the bedrock of the United Kingdom is still, in the main, the traditional family unit.
Overall, this is a weak 6 out of 10,
I enjoyed this movie while I watched it, but with hindsight it was riddled with some bizarre plot holes and was just overly contrived.
What was good, the styling and cinematography was ravishing and definitely brought up this movie. From the wallpapers to the interiors, not to mention the hair and the fabulous sixties fashions, this aspect was a treat and then set this is the Côte d'Azur how could you fail.
The whole ensemble was committed, but Jennifer Stirling played by Shailene Woodley was a triumph of making some terrible scenarios and clunky script work. Callum Turner dominated his scenes and just gets better and better!
The main problems,
I could see little romance, a decadent wife of a industrialist embarks, out of boredom, on a tawdry holiday romance. She then flirts with the idea of running away from her "awful" marriage. Due to circumstance this fails, she then has a child and lives the next 30 years with her "terrible" husband for fear her child is taken from her.
Of course this is drivel, the husband stood by her knowing her folly, and despite being cuckolded he clearly loved her and seemed very kind to her, if she had wanted to leave she could have left the minute the child reached 16, the laws on divorce changed in 1971 so she was not trapped, and her lover was a well known journalist in New York, hardly difficult to track down.
The societal comment on the state of romanticism today, portrayed by Ellie and Rory, reflected how much today is all about me, me and more me, hardly convincing when it is self-evident that the bedrock of the United Kingdom is still, in the main, the traditional family unit.
Overall, this is a weak 6 out of 10,
About that letter...
jeroduptown4 November 2021
The Last Letter tries to convincingly connect an unrealized love relationship from the 60s and a young couple today. And while each generation has a decent love story, the co-mingling of them doesn't really DO anything.
Wasted decades
AfricanBro24 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
To be honest, I didn't fall in love with it till the very end of the movie, although it's still definitely worth a watch especially if you like romances like I do. I don't read novels much, but someone did say that a lot was left out from the book that would have made it more interesting and I feel that as I watch it, there's supposed to be more, something's missing.
It's infidelity at its core but Netflix managed to bring the romance out of it. It does have a happy ending, two long lost lovers who finally meet in their old age; but it made me doleful, imagining the life they could have had if they had just followed their heart when they were younger, wasted decades they can't take back. Still, you can sympathize looking from the situation they were both under.
It's infidelity at its core but Netflix managed to bring the romance out of it. It does have a happy ending, two long lost lovers who finally meet in their old age; but it made me doleful, imagining the life they could have had if they had just followed their heart when they were younger, wasted decades they can't take back. Still, you can sympathize looking from the situation they were both under.
I have mixed feelings...
GulceGencer18 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
That half-happy-ending got stuck on me :( It wasn't a happily ever after, but it was more of a happily ever really later after. If you don't like that in romance movies -same as me- don't watch it. I felt so sad at the fact that they have lived their life waiting for each other but never gotten together as in marriage-wise. Gonna console myself with them being truly together for the appx. Last 10-20 years of their lives until they die. Other than those, the acting performances were flawless but the showtime could've been longer considering that the events of both time periods would be much more detailed.
Original idea - I like this
Cowtownus2 September 2021
The way the movie is revealed is what is most intersting. The plot is ususal rom com stuff. But the directing makes it worth the time. The male actor is good. I forgot his name and can not remember where I saw him but I know I like his work. He feels sincere. The actress is a little cold. Together, they work. It is a throwback to the old movie days. The older characters are a little disappointing.
Give it a few minutes
vincentlynch-moonoi25 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I have a somewhat flexible rule that when I start to watch a film if it hasn't captured my interest in 12 or so minutes I move on. And I was getting ready to move on when this film caught me. The problem in the first 12-15 minutes is that -- at least to me -- it seemed a bit confusing. Then it settled down, and what you have here is a very intriguing love story...of infidelity...that seems justified. That's not to say that infidelity is a good thing, but when your spouse is a jerk...
Felicity Jones plays a young journalist who uncovers some old and mysterious love letters from 1965 that captivates her attention as she explores the archives of a present-day London newspaper. She finds quite a tale as she finds more and more of the letters, and eventually she discovers who wrote them.
The lovers are played by Callum Turner as the financial journalist who falls in love with a rising young politician's wife played by Shailene Woodley.
Meanwhile, as a side story, Felicity Jones' character has a fling with an archivist (played by Nabhaan Rizwan).
Will the 1965's lovers ever get together. Well, the ending is not exactly a surprise, but there are many twists along the way as the story slowly unfolds as each newly discovered letter gives more clues.
Toward the end of the film, the two lovers are played by Ben Cross and Diana Kent.
With the exception Ben Cross, I wasn't familiar with any of these British actors, but they all do very nice job.
The ending of the film is rather sweet, also I was a little dissatisfied with brief fantasy that the two old lovers have.
But still, this film was very worth watching, and I recommend it.
Felicity Jones plays a young journalist who uncovers some old and mysterious love letters from 1965 that captivates her attention as she explores the archives of a present-day London newspaper. She finds quite a tale as she finds more and more of the letters, and eventually she discovers who wrote them.
The lovers are played by Callum Turner as the financial journalist who falls in love with a rising young politician's wife played by Shailene Woodley.
Meanwhile, as a side story, Felicity Jones' character has a fling with an archivist (played by Nabhaan Rizwan).
Will the 1965's lovers ever get together. Well, the ending is not exactly a surprise, but there are many twists along the way as the story slowly unfolds as each newly discovered letter gives more clues.
Toward the end of the film, the two lovers are played by Ben Cross and Diana Kent.
With the exception Ben Cross, I wasn't familiar with any of these British actors, but they all do very nice job.
The ending of the film is rather sweet, also I was a little dissatisfied with brief fantasy that the two old lovers have.
But still, this film was very worth watching, and I recommend it.
Good romantic movie
rusandauz23 July 2021
One of the best movies on netflix
mekanikoto24 July 2021
Left this review hoping I'd Feel Different.....I Didn't
andrewrye-0653529 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A promising story done before and done better.
We didn't spend enough time with either era to actually be sold on the romance.
Briefly, journalist finds a letter in an old book and starts to investigate a romance set in the 1960s to see what happened. That's 1960s monied people who drive around Italy in open top mercs with servants. You know the rose coloured glasses version. Lots of money, little depth. Bored housewife meets journalist.
In the meantime, the journalist who finds the letter trawls through the archives searching for more letters. Not sure how they knew the letters would be hidden in books in the archives but there you go. And, fortunately, they find the letters in sequence and just in time to propel the story along.
Hmmm not convinced. Nether romance was sold to me. Modern day archivist was thoroughly enamored with the rude journalist from the get go. No idea why, probably because he owned a cat? There was nothing likable about her but that didn't stop him.
On the otherside (1960s) a bored housewife has an affair that doesn't go anywhere. Tries to runaway from hubby, only to (wait for it) have a car accident and miss the train. Hubby finds out, tells wifey her BF was killed in the accident and wife swallows it hook line and stinker.
Said modern journalist (with witless archivist) then set about reuniting the aging adulterers who are conveniently single (aging Lothario never married) and hey presto, back together and all is right with the world.
Nothing to see here, seriously. The 1960s scenes were beautifully shot but neither romance was convincing. I kept waiting for High Grant to show up. Then I waited for the older woman to reveal that her daughter was really his and that the modern day journalist was her long lost daughter, that would have been the icing on the cake, or torpedo that sunk the ship.
It's a 5 because it was inoffensive, beautifully shot although forgettable and unoriginal.
We didn't spend enough time with either era to actually be sold on the romance.
Briefly, journalist finds a letter in an old book and starts to investigate a romance set in the 1960s to see what happened. That's 1960s monied people who drive around Italy in open top mercs with servants. You know the rose coloured glasses version. Lots of money, little depth. Bored housewife meets journalist.
In the meantime, the journalist who finds the letter trawls through the archives searching for more letters. Not sure how they knew the letters would be hidden in books in the archives but there you go. And, fortunately, they find the letters in sequence and just in time to propel the story along.
Hmmm not convinced. Nether romance was sold to me. Modern day archivist was thoroughly enamored with the rude journalist from the get go. No idea why, probably because he owned a cat? There was nothing likable about her but that didn't stop him.
On the otherside (1960s) a bored housewife has an affair that doesn't go anywhere. Tries to runaway from hubby, only to (wait for it) have a car accident and miss the train. Hubby finds out, tells wifey her BF was killed in the accident and wife swallows it hook line and stinker.
Said modern journalist (with witless archivist) then set about reuniting the aging adulterers who are conveniently single (aging Lothario never married) and hey presto, back together and all is right with the world.
Nothing to see here, seriously. The 1960s scenes were beautifully shot but neither romance was convincing. I kept waiting for High Grant to show up. Then I waited for the older woman to reveal that her daughter was really his and that the modern day journalist was her long lost daughter, that would have been the icing on the cake, or torpedo that sunk the ship.
It's a 5 because it was inoffensive, beautifully shot although forgettable and unoriginal.
Nice and pretty
carol_ok25 July 2021
Ok, I haven't read the book, however, after watching the movie I will for sure. Point in favor because despite the fact that this history has been seen in other movies, none is the same as the other
Shai and Callum: I loved them, Shailene transmitted all the emotions in every moment of the film, the feeling of abandonment, the emotion of a new person, the passion to live something new, the pain of knowing that something is not possible, each scene is excellent, you really feel each of the emotions. With regard to Callum, what can I say? An excellent actor, a gentleman in the whole movie, (it's the first time I've seen him act), a man who makes mistakes but doesn't deny them, his performance (for me) has been beautiful, complete and clean, it conveys that desire to be with someone but knowing that the decision is not entirely in their hands, it was excellent ...
Joe Alwyn: the perfect husband, but who considers that his duty is to work, his acting has been great, his toughness, his little interest, his social class, everything has reflected it very well (I loved and hated when he asked the waiter who spoke only in English) perfect for me.
What I didn't like very much:
The story of Ellie and Rory ... it was a bit annoying because it was forced to happen, it was a strange story that happened very quickly without development without emotion and without attraction ... I don't think it was them but the same script but not I really liked his story, I advanced it in the whole movie.
It is a movie to see at any time you consider, it is cute, romantic, calm, without suspense, entertaining, it may have lacked development of some characters but it is understandable by time, I definitely recommend it.
Shai and Callum: I loved them, Shailene transmitted all the emotions in every moment of the film, the feeling of abandonment, the emotion of a new person, the passion to live something new, the pain of knowing that something is not possible, each scene is excellent, you really feel each of the emotions. With regard to Callum, what can I say? An excellent actor, a gentleman in the whole movie, (it's the first time I've seen him act), a man who makes mistakes but doesn't deny them, his performance (for me) has been beautiful, complete and clean, it conveys that desire to be with someone but knowing that the decision is not entirely in their hands, it was excellent ...
Joe Alwyn: the perfect husband, but who considers that his duty is to work, his acting has been great, his toughness, his little interest, his social class, everything has reflected it very well (I loved and hated when he asked the waiter who spoke only in English) perfect for me.
What I didn't like very much:
The story of Ellie and Rory ... it was a bit annoying because it was forced to happen, it was a strange story that happened very quickly without development without emotion and without attraction ... I don't think it was them but the same script but not I really liked his story, I advanced it in the whole movie.
It is a movie to see at any time you consider, it is cute, romantic, calm, without suspense, entertaining, it may have lacked development of some characters but it is understandable by time, I definitely recommend it.
Unconvincing.
jmariani-5979927 July 2021
This movie doesn't really work. Poor development keeps the story at surface level so the viewer really isn't drawn into either relationship. The script keeps it there and the past era setting just isn't believable. More like people were just wearing groovy clothes found in a vintage shop. Music did little to create mood. Zero chemistry between either couple and, to be honest, both female lead characters weren't very likable.
I gave it three stars only because it's not the worse movie I've ever seen and managed to get to the end without shutting it off.
I gave it three stars only because it's not the worse movie I've ever seen and managed to get to the end without shutting it off.
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