Andrew L. Urban:

Only the most hard-hearted critic with a cynical bent would be churlish enough to scorn PS I Love You, a romanticised story of a pretty, grieving widow whose late husband was thoughtful enough to leave her instructions on how to cope.

Certainly, the tone and the style is pink, but there are some terrific performances and plenty of laughs to beef it up, as it were.

Above all, Harry Connick Jr’s character, Daniel, a man without any social filters who can seem rude (but he does – usually - take medication for it), creates a wonderful character who cuts through the sentimentality in a triumph of characterisation.

Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank are both refreshing and entertaining as the couple that loves to quarrel and make up, while Lisa Kudrow’s sour-seeking friend is acidic fun. Gina Gershon doesn’t have enough to do, and Kathy Bates is a nice, warm, plump mum.

The screenplay flirts with the occasional overstatements of the "lover as ghost" sub-genre of romantic comedies, so we do get to see Butler after death – both as fantasy and in flashbacks.

Some of the direction sails all too close to schmaltz, but it’s so darned likeable and enjoyable, and the cast is so engaging, we don’t really care.

The novelty of the novel - that a dead man’s pre-arranged love letters form a story structure - is handled well, though it gets a tad repetitious after a while, yet with an endearing, playful tone.

It’s a shamelessly escapist movie for romantic lovers and lonely hearts alike.

Louise Keller:

"They never work out anyway," Gerard Butler’s Irish charmer, Gerry, retorts to his wife, Holly (Hilary Swank), when she insists "You have to have a plan."

Surprisingly, Gerry comes up with a plan when Holly least expects it, leading her on a life-changing journey.

The wonderful ability to naturally elicit laughter and tears simultaneously is this film’s greatest strength, as it takes us through myriad emotions.

While it is first and foremost a love story, this deeply affecting film is also about true friendship, close family and learning enough about oneself to view the world in a new light.

Surprisingly uplifting for a film that prompts as many tears as those that ran down my cheeks, this honest and moving film delivers one of the year’s best love stories.

Swank and Butler are convincing as Holly and Gerry from the very first scene, in which  they are having a full-on row.

The silent treatment turns into a war of words and by the time they reconcile with promises, laughter and hot sex, we know they are made for each other.

Swank’s vulnerability as the unsure woman who wants to avoid making mistakes is tangible, while Butler is perfect as the naturally gregarious extrovert who takes Holly out of her shell.

Director Richard LaGravenese, who also had a hand in writing the screenplay (based on Cecelia Ahern’s novel) tells this love story (in reverse-order flashbacks) with great sensitivity.

Things never turn out how you expect, and the film plays exactly the same way.

Harry Connick Jnr is unforgettable as the unerringly honest Daniel, connected to Holly through "self-pity, bitterness and vomit"; Lisa Kudrow thrives on being the man-hungry Denise, who spits out perpetual cynicism; and Kathy Bates is outstanding as the disapproving mother who has forgotten how to laugh.

From urban New York to the open fields of Ireland, PS I Love You crosses boundaries of country, life, death and language to deliver truth without words.

Andrew L. Urban and Louise Keller edit the online movie magazine Urban Cinefile.