The Last Letter From Your Lover

Directed by Augustine Frizzell

★★★½

Shailene Woodley as Jennifer Stirling and Callum Turner as Anthony O’Hare. The Last Letter From Your Lover - Production Stills. Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh

Let me preface this by saying I do indeed have a soft spot for romantic drama, yet The Last Letter From Your Lover succeeds on its own merits. Sure, we’ve seen this type of film numerous times before. Hell, even the plot is almost exactly carbon copied from the likes of The Best of Me or The Lake House. Still, the movie manages to somehow feel fresh, even if worn.

Director Augustine Frizzell (who’s previous film, Never Goin’ Back, was an absolute riot) manages to bring the film out of its genre mediocrity by showing a strong knowledge of where the camera should be placed and how each shot should look. Of course, there are the expected sweeping romantic vistas, but there is a definite sense of comprehension and intent behind each frame.

Additionally, the cast is filled with actor’s at the top of their game, but it is Shailene Woodley in particular that shines throughout the film. There isn’t a moment that she is on screen where you aren’t completely enraptured in her dramatic circumstances. Woodley has an impressive grasp on her character's subtle complexities, and elevates a decent script with her nuances. Her chemistry with Callum Turner in particular is engrossing and has a natural sexiness to it. Their conversations of love and past is a character highlight for both of them.

The film jumps back and forth between past and present, interweaving two love stories, one unexpected and one deliberate. While this mostly works, some of the time jumping is jarring, specifically when going through separate scenes in the past.

Overall, Frizzell has crafted a solid and emotionally resonating film that, being on Netflix, is definitely worth your time.