THE LOST VALENTINE

US, 2012, 100 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Love Hewitt, Betty White, Sean Faris, Billy Magnusson, Meghann Fahey.
Directed by Darnell Martin.

The Lost Valentine is an entertaining Hallmark Hall Fame film for television, aimed at an older audience but with a broader appeal.

In the present, an old lady goes to a railway station every Valentine’s Day, talks to the black attendant, waits and thinks back to her experience of 1944. In 1944, she farewelled her husband on his way to the war. He did not return. Because he was listed missing in action, his wife still waits for some news.

Betty White portrays the elderly widow, illustrating how well Betty White was as a performer, in comedy, television shows, serious films like this.

Sean Faris portrays her nephew, who takes her story to a television network where Susan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, works but is dissatisfied with her programs. She is not attracted by this story but is told to do it by her boss.

She goes to visit the old lady and forms a bond with her, persuading her to do the program, which she does successfully, although the network decides not to put it to air.

Susan tries to do her best for the old lady, contacting a senator, getting information about the husband’s war action and tracks down his place of death in the Philippines and discovers his grave. At the end of the film, the body is brought back with full ceremonies – at the railway station. She has been supported by Lucas – who has an on and off relationship with Susan, finally with her. The happy ending.

1. The title? The reference to the Valentine? The tone? For emotions, tears?

2. The Hallmark Hall of Fame and its reputation for popular stories, emotional stories? The broad appeal?

3. The age target, older audiences, middle age?

4. Betty White, her long career, range of performances, the screen presence, making the role of Caroline credible?

5. Six decades after World War II? On Valentine’s Day, Caroline going to sit at the railway station, waiting? Her talk with the black attendant, their friendship over the years?

6. The memory of Valentine’s Day in 1944, Caroline, her being pregnant, the farewell to Neil? The memento?

7. Lucas, love for Caroline, interest in her story, the possibilities of television program, his visiting the studio, Susan and her disdain of such stories, her having to apologise?

8. The introduction to Susan, at work on television, American Diary? Reactions to the types of stories and investigation? Her friend, the discussions? The boss and his threats? Her embarrassment with Lucas? Told to do the job?

9. The visit, the discussions with Lucas, the visit to Caroline? The phone calls? The discussions? Caroline wondering whether she should agree or not?

10. The setup, the television program, the story, the voice-over? The audience seeing the flashbacks?

11. Childhood, Caroline and Neil, meeting, love, work together, the marriage, the home and his building? The war? His decision to go, patriotism? At the train, the Valentine’s Day? Caroline and the birth of the child, her family? The dreaded telegram? That Neil was missing?

12. The film of the program, Caroline in the garden, talking to camera, her natural abilities? Lucas and his watching? Caroline and the heart turn, the threat to the program? Her strength and courage?

13. Lucas, the physio, helping people, the book, the launch and Susan going?

14. Susan’s fiance, journalist, travel, living together, the possibilities of the proposal, the delay? His return, in Fiji, the embrace, but Susan breaking off the engagement?

15. The completion of the programme – but the station deciding it would not go to air?

16. Susan, concerned for Caroline, trying to do something about Neil’s war history, finding the grave? Her contact with the senator, the documents, the references, information about the Philippines, Manila, the Skype conversations?

17. The flashbacks to Neil’s activity, working with the Filipinos, the dangers, the Japanese, the bombardments, his being wounded, dying, his grave? The Filipinos of the present, the images of the grave, the news, Susan explaining to Caroline?

18. The return of the body, full honours, at the railway station, Caroline waiting, the black attendant and his support? Ceremony?

19. Lucas, relationship with Susan, on and off, her going to him, the happy ending?