THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER

UK, 2021, 110 minutes, Colour.

Shailene Woodley, Joe Alwyn, Felicity Jones, Callum Turner, Nabhaan Rizwan, Diana Kent, Ben Cross.

Directed by Augustine Frizzell.

Here is a romantic drama whose success will depend on audience susceptibilities to romantic dramas. Many will identify with the characters, their crises, the difficulties in resolving the crises – over a long period. Others may not identify with the characters, be not particularly sympathetic to their crises, find the drama somewhat overblown.

In fact, the action of the film takes place in two quite different periods. The initial action takes place in London in 1965, recreating the atmosphere of the times, costumes and decor, the UK in a period of 1960s transition while many of the customs of class are still dominant. Then there is a second period, in the 2010 is, a media investigation about the lovers of the 1960s.

While this is an American production, the settings are very British.

Shaving Woodley is the star of the film, an American who has left the United States, has married a British industrialist. She lives are very comfortable, fashionable life, rather spoilt. And, as we see at social events, she is dominated by her husband (Joe Alwyn). Initially, she is not particularly impressed by one of her husband’s associates, Anthony (Callum Turner), drinking, resentful. However, they encounter one another again and… What we might expect.

Felicity Jones is Ellie, the central character in the 2010 is, a journalist, getting information about Jennifer, finding a cache of letters in an archive, with a mysterious signature Boot. Ellie is rather a free spirit, a touch angry with the prim and proper Guardian of the archives, Rory (). The film puts is in the mood to expect that there will be some attachment between them…

So, the action of the film moves from one era to another, leading to disappointment in the 1960s, some moments of reprieve in 1969, but we remember the tone of the title, the last letter.

What could happen then in the 2010 is? Ellie discovering where Jennifer is? Where Anthony is? Could there be some resolution? If you are a fan of romantic dramas, you will probably want to know, probably want to see the film.

1. The title? Expectations? Already? Romance? Sadness?
2. The London settings, the 1960s, mansions, restaurants, fashion? Nightclubs and music? Visits to Europe, resorts, the coast? The contrast with the 21^st-century, busy streets, traffic, buildings, newspaper offices, homes, archives…? The musical score?
3. The two timeframes, the narrative of 1965? The postscript of 1969? The 21^st-century? The bond of the letters? The research? Ellie and motivation? Rory helping? The visits, the letters, bringing the two together?
4. Jennifer’s story, American, marrying Lawrence, the formal marriage, his business interests, socials, dinners, dominating his wife? The holidays? The encounter with Anthony O’ Hare? His manner, drinking, comments? His letter of apology? The effect on Jennifer? The brutal nature of her marriage? The meetings with Anthony, his story, separation, his child, falling in love, the relationship? Anthony and the decision to take the New York position, inviting Jennifer, her hesitation, her family, reputation? The range of letters, the postbox? His nickname, Boot? Waiting at Marylebone station? Jennifer’s decision, the taxi, the hurry, the crash?
5. Jennifer, the aftermath of the crash, loss of memory, Lawrence hiding her letter in his drawer, seeing the diary entries, Alberto’s restaurant and visiting, the postbox? Finding the letters? The letter in her husband’s drawer? The indication that Anthony had died?
6. 1969, the chance encounter in the park, bonding, the relationship, the separation?
7. Ellie, journalist, with men, at the office, the articles, searching the archives, the encounters with Rory, his being very literal, email appointments, his eventually helping, the finding of the letters, continuing with the letters? The voice-over of the letters and the images of the writing?
8. Rory, Asian background, studies, work, helping Ellie, his birthday, the party, the night together, her leaving, his texting, his concern, Ellie neglecting? Her casual attitude?
9. The Post Office, the box, the name, finding the address, writing the letter, the negative response? The clue about Anthony, tracking him down? Visiting him, the conversation, his memories, the letters and her giving them to him? The encounter with Jennifer, on the street, talking with her, her version of the past?
10. The final letter, the invitation to Jennifer to meet in the park, Rory and Ellie watching, the two coming together? The alternate – had she not had the crash, on the train with Anthony? The final image – and the touch of tears?