Much good, some mediocre, but overall a good movie.

Rating: Null/10 (13 June 2008)

I went into viewing this movie without any idea what the summary was and I recommend others do too. It is more interesting discovering it as it happens rather than know what will happen. So, if you are reading this and haven't seen it yet, read no more and just see it.
Hilary Swank is Holly Kennedy, very happily married to Gerard Butler (Phantom of the Opera) as Gerry Kennedy. They had met maybe 10 to 12 years earlier when she was visiting Ireland. But their relationship has hit a big snag, he is ill and dying. Except for flashbacks, he is only in the very opening scene.
But he left an intricate plan in place after his death, one that Holly knew nothing about. It involved letters, a cake, some gifts, and a plan to help her get past his death and on with her life. It even took her to Ireland and her in-laws.
Both Swank and Butler are good in their roles, as well as Kathy Bates who plays Holly's mother.
However Lisa Kudrow as Denise and Gina Gershon as Sharon, both good friends of Holly, were very annoying to me, especially Denise.
Opposite to that sentiment is Harry Connick Jr. as Daniel Connelly who works for Holly's mother. Daniel is a good person but by his own admission has a social defect, he cannot filter his thoughts and says just what he is thinking. This causes some uneasy moments. He gets sweet on Holly after Gerry dies, but she just finds him to be a "good friend", the kiss of death. However, they do get to kiss before the movie is over, and both agree it feels like kissing a sibling, so both are happy with the friendship. Connick Jr.'s role is my favorite of the movie.
Also very interesting is an extra on the DVD where the author of the book recounts how it came about. She wrote it while she was still in college, only because she had this idea in her head. There was no thought of a "best seller" or an eventual movie. As one might imagine she is very articulate, but also a very attractive young woman, with movie-star looks. Her own story is great.