Letters to Juliet

Doubt thou, the stars are fire,
Doubt, that the Sun doth move,
Doubt truth to be a liar,
But never Doubt, I love -William Shakespeare

Many people, me included, cringe at the idea of seeing a romantic comedy. After all, most of us can pretty much predict when each fall, kiss and "love you" is going to happen. I went to Letters of Juliet anticipating the same. Just another romcom, as I like to call them. I was pleasantly surprised; Letters had a very refreshing twist to an over-played tune.

Amanda Seyfried plays Sophie, a woman on the verge of marriage, that, due to the nature of her future husband's restaurant business, has to enjoy her honey moon before the marriage actually happens. The husband character is played by Gael Garcia Bernal and I have to say, it was nice to see him not play the lead male role. Sophie and Victor (Gael) travel to Italy to spend their before-wedding-honeymoon. 

As the film progresses Sophie realizes that Victor might not be the best fit for her. What I liked the most about that process is that it felt very organic and honest. It was also very mature; no slapping of cheeks or cheating or any of that mess that romcoms usually have. Something else happens while Sophie is in Italy. She stumbles upon a letter, 50 years old but still powerful with love. She decides to connect two lost loves based on her conviction that it's never too late for a second chance at real love. Admittedly the plot does sound like a very stereotypical romcom but it's not. One of the things that makes it different is the talented cast. As well as Seyfried and Gael, both Christopher Egan and Vanessa Redgrave are perfect for the characters they portray. Redgrave as Claire, the woman that receives a letter from Sophie reminding her of what her first love felt like and Egan as Charlie, her stubborn, ridiculously caring grandson.

Letters does not beat around the bush. It tells you it's a romantic comedy and doesn't try to be anything else but still manages to charm you with its story, characters and a very beautiful backdrop that is Italy. Letters also educates the audience about taking that leap of faith and believing in something that does not seem feasible at the time. Well deserved of your time and opens tomorrow in theaters.