Well, here we are again. Tonight we have gone for, what looks to be, a tear jerking, romantic tale of love and loss. Will it be love at first sight or the big heave-ho for;
The Lost Valentine
Released in 2011, The Lost Valentine is a made-for-TV movie. Normally, this should start alarm bells ringing. Made-for-TV movies are notoriously bad, but this one came highly recommended.
The story is as follows; Caroline Thomas, played superbly by Golden Girl; Betty White, is an old romantic who, although being told that her young husband was missing in action in the Second World War, still makes an annual pilgrimage to the Union railway station, to mark the day when she last saw him, as he departed for active duties.
The day that he left was Valentines Day.
Every year Caroline returns, hoping that he (Neil Thomas), may someday return. She has been doing this, for 65 years, every since they parted in 1944.
The story of this epic devotion, is picked up by the local TV network, who set up their glamourous reporter; Susan Allison (played by the ever-so lovely Jennifer Love Hewitt), to cover the story. Susan is not so sure that the story has any gravitas and says as much, accidentally in front of Caroline's grandson Lucas (Sean Faris). And although this meeting of Susan and Lucas gets off on the wrong foot, you know that there is a spark between the two, thus providing us with another layer of romance.
Susan eventually gets to interview Caroline and this is where the film starts filling in all the necessary detail, utilising flashbacks to the 1940's, where the young Caroline and Neil first get together.
Fair enough so far. The approach, layering and scene setting of the movie is very formulaic. However, what sets this film apart from the rest, is the story. We all know how the Americans love their war veterans (and rightly so). And we see in The Lost Valentine elements which are very believable. You can almost sense that it's real, that someone would have revisited such a special place, for so many years, just to relive the parting of a loving couple and hope beyond hope, that one day their loved one would return.
Above and beyond the great story, it is the way that it is bought to life on our screens so superbly by Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Aided extremely well by Sean Faris, that makes all the difference. If you believe the storyline, then this is enhanced by some great acting.
It is without doubt a tearjerker. Some may suggest that it's a little too much and over steps the line between a good romantic story and into a somewhat cheesy affair, but I would suggest not. I think it portrays a tender, believable story, laced with emotion, pride, honour and respect.
A good film and thoroughly enjoyable. Which scores a massive 9 out of 10 in this house.
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