Louise Harrington (Laura Linney) is an admissions officer at
Columbia when she receives an application from someone of the same
name as her high school boyfriend who was killed. When she meets Scott
(Topher Grace), they begin a relationship with some surprises in
store. Paul Rudd co-stars.
CRITIQUE
This film opens with a slow zoom in on an abstract painting. The
meaning of the painting becomes clear as the film progresses but it is
emblematic of the theme of creation prevalent in the story. Solid
direction and excellent performances make the literate though
imperfect script of P.S. effective and entertaining.
The slightly mystical story concern of whether Grace’s character is
actually the reincarnation of the high school boyfriend takes up less
time than the audience might at first assume. This may be what some
viewers prefer but to me, the little time devoted to it actually
undermines the importance attached to the moment when Louise reveals
it to Scott. This is a small quibble, though, and a bit of the deleted
scenes balance this out. Much ado will probably be made over the
matter-of-fact real time sex scene between Linney and Grace in this
film, but the scene serves the function of showing how much Linney’s
Louise is in control of the events. As director Jason Kidd
fascinatingly points out on the commentary track, she is crafting her
own drama around her and one of the character’s central acts is to
learn how to reconcile this to real life.
There is a lot to recommend this script, with Louise’s interactions
with her family and especially her best friend (Marcia Gay Harden)
resounding with the lived-in resentments and sentiment of the past.
There is also some killer romantic dialogue Grace gets to make
sigh-inducing use of. He gets to be his brilliantly funny persona at
most moments but also pushes himself into romantic leading man
territory and I hope it’s a place he returns to often. He and Linney
are quite exciting together and Linney herself is fast becoming a
legend. Watch for the scene with her brother in her mother’s kitchen.
Director Kidd excellently helmed Roger Dodger a couple years
ago and here he keeps the “sophomore slump” threat to a minimum. A bit
of choppy editing (again, rectified in the deleted scenes) is the most
conspicuous slip up. He uses mirrors in a couple spots for interesting
composition and camera movement in a couple of shots is memorable. The
commentary track shines more light on the unnoticeable but good
techniques Kidd used for some scenes, like setting up a way for the
first phone call between Louise and Scott to take place as Linney and
Grace actually talked to each other, resulting in realism rarely
achieved otherwise. The paintings seen in the film consistently focus
story theme on the creativity so well evidenced by Linney, Grace, and
Kidd.
THE VIDEO
Widescreen is the right format to make this indie film shine like the
bigger film it should be.
THE AUDIO
Two sound formats 5.1 Dolby Digital and 2.0 Dolby Surround are offered
and show off the soundtrack fine. Only English subtitles are offered,
though.
THE EXTRAS
Audio
Commentary:
Director Kidd and director of photography Joaquín Baca-Asay join in a
fascinating commentary track. Kidd dominates the discussion but he is
so interesting you don’t mind. There are no lapses of silence and Kidd
is exceptional at bringing out themes and bits of characterization.
For example, just in the opening scene he notes how Linney applying
her makeup is actually like the painting the film focuses on and how
the moment is also like an actress readying herself for a play, as
Louise is driving the story that will happen to her. There is also all
the usual commentary on the filming process and praise for the actors,
too. This is one of the best tracks I’ve ever heard.
Deleted
Scenes:
Five scenes are included in all, with only two of them extended.
Optional commentary by director Kidd is offered, which is excellent,
though he doesn’t always offer reasons for the cuts. The scenes are
for the most part good in themselves. I especially like the one in the
café with its nice dialogue and performance from Grace and the one in
the basement which features an important moment. I also like that the
moments just before a deleted scene starts, which is included so you
know where the scene would fall in the film.
Trailers:
The P.S. trailer is a good one and quite a few other
independent film trailers are included, which is nice.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Though few, the extra features on this DVD only add the already
quality experience of watching P.S. The film is thought provoking,
surprising, and well acted by Linney and Grace. Most viewers will find
this an adult, dramatic story and enjoy it. More bonus features are
the only things the viewer could ask for in this DVD.
