'The Last Letter From Your Lover' Review: Shailene Woodley starrer shows the perks of modern love
Hard core romance buffs hardly need to be reminded of the magic of a well-written love letter. But for those who've grown up in a generation where expressions of love are more likely to be emojis rather than emotions, Netflix's latest romantic movie 'The Last Letter From Your Lover' is a pleasant reminder about the lure of love letters.
The love letters in question are those shared between the lonely young wife of a young rich tycoon Jennifer Stirling (Shailene Woodley) and a financial journalist Anthony O'Hare (Callum Turner) who comes to interview Jennifer's husband Lawrence Stirling (Joe Alwyn) and ends up falling in love with Jennifer. Their love story which blossoms in 1965 is cut tragically short due to an accident which leads to Jennifer losing her memory. Several misunderstandings ensue as a result. By the time Jennifer and Anthony reconnect, too much has happened to pick up where they left off. Jennifer now the mother of a young daughter can't bring herself to run away with Anthony. However several years later a young journalist Ellie (Felicity Jones)who is reeling from a bad breakup of her own is determined to try and give this love story a second lease of life, when she comes across the love letters Jennifer and Anthony shared, while she is researching a story.
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Ellie and Rory (Nabhaan Rizwan) the archivist who helps her in her quest to find more love letters are a delight to watch together. While love letters and more slow burn forms of communication do have their own charms, Ellie and Rory show us that modern love certainly has its perks too. In fact, out of the two main couples of the film, we would say that Ellie and Rory hands down have better chemistry.
Shailene Woodley looks like an absolute vision. Considering her character is from the '60s. we could have watched Shailene just for the Jackie O look that she sports in the film, complete with a bouffant and eyelashes that go on forever. However fashion aside, Shailene seems to be sleepwalking while portraying her role, especially since her character Jennifer Stirling meets with an accident. But even in the more passionate flashbacks, there is something missing from Woodley's performance. Also, the chemistry between Jennifer and Anthony isn't so convicing that we can imagine a scenario where they would willing to turn their entire lives upside down for each other. The older Anthony however is a pleasure to watch, portrayed by acting legend Ben Cross. He is perfect as the man who has resigned himself to a life without his true love, but with dignity and grace. Anthony O' Hare may have decided to leave well enough alone now, but will Ellie let Jennifer and Anthony lose their second shot at love. To find out you can watch 'The Last Letter From Your Lover' which premiered on Netflix on July 23.
