The Letter Writer (2011 TV Movie) User Reviews

Did you like Pay it Forward? If so, you'll love this movie.

[dderose-626-157210 · 10/10 · 6 March 2013]

If you don't watch another movie anytime soon, I encourage you to watch this film. This movie could melt a stone. You cannot watch this and not take anything useful away with you. It will touch your heart.

All the actors in this movie did a superb job. If you liked Pay it Forward, you'll love this movie. We all need something like this now and then. Watch it today. You'll be glad you did.

The young girl, Maggie, did a wonderful job. The power of her emotions is staggering.

Sam, aka Bernie Diamond, was simply amazing. We are blessed that he lived long enough to complete the film. He passed away shortly after its completion at the age of 89.

The older folks from the nursing home were heartwarming, to say the least. Again, please take some time and watch this film.

One of the most gentle spiritual films I have ever seen

[geneariani · 10/10 · 16 December 2012]

You watch lots and lots of movies, sometimes you look for good action, drama and even a good horror flick, but once in a while you come across a movie by chance that has the ability to touch in such loving way that you would have not imagined before pressing that Play button. The movie story begins when a rebellious young girl receives a heartwarming letter from an unknown source and the changes which follows in her life and people around her thereafter. THIS IS NOT A COMING OF AGE FILM BUT IS AN SPIRITUAL (non-religious) AWAKING FILM. The beauty of this film lies in its simplicity and its scripted in such gentle way that is very or may even impossible to find any pretentious message in the film. Its centers on how words can heal or hurt people and how we are carelessly use them among one another. It reminds us the power of receiving a hand written letter from a friend or family member in a way that no email, text, or twitter message can begin to encompass.

You will be hard not to cry in several scenes in this movie. I honestly believe this was a labor of love and all were involve in this project must have been touched personally.

There is no violence, vulgarity, etc. in this film and people of all ages can enjoy this movie. Highly recommend if you want a wonderful lullaby of a film

Sow Write

[ColeLuper · 10/10 · 15 December 2012]

This elegant film by writer-director Christian Vuissa conveys a fundamental principle of spiritual enlightenment that transcends theological dogma. If you are seeking a purpose driven life, you will find value in this piece.

The teenage protagonist negotiates the rough waters of female adolescence with the unorthodox guidance of an aging mentor. She realizes ethical and moral truths by observing his consistent practices of selfless giving. Embracing these tenants in her daily life opens the door to her personal fulfillment.

This is more of a coming to enlightenment than a coming of age film. The presentation is generally nonsectarian, and should be appropriate for viewers of any religious persuasion, and particularly those of no religious persuasion.

Perhaps in the hands of a better writer.

[Davalon-Davalon · 3/10 · 25 January 2023]

Lead actress Aley Underwood ("Maggy") plays a troubled teen in a world where everything has gone wrong for her: a father who never cared, a boyfriend that breaks up with her to be with her best friend, a band that steals her song (that the best friend sings), getting caught cheating on the math test, getting caught stealing from her mother. But one good thing in Maggy's life is a letter she receives out of the blue that lifts her spirit.

This is the "inciting incident." Aley Underwood carries the entire movie. She shows a great deal of charm and vulnerability (and a strong resemblance to a young Katie Holmes), but she cannot save what amounts to a vanity production. Writer/director/composer/producer Christian Vuissa created something that might have been mildly entertaining for his church group, but as a feature, it fails across the board.

The first thing we noticed is that the sound was not mixed well. That did not bode well for as far as we got, which was about fifty-percent of the film. Next, the dialogue is cliched and stilted and on-the-nose. I felt bad, especially for Aley, that she had to speak in such an unnatural way.

Although the idea is very sweet -- that some elderly man in a seniors' home (Bernie Diamond, looking ancient) writes letters to strangers every day to uplift their spirits, and that somehow one of these letters reaches Maggy and changes her life -- we also have to endure what Christian must imagine to be hit songs sung by Maggy and her questionable band. The first hour is a slog. The last forty minutes have a few tender moments and again, Aley carries the entire production on her young back.

It seems that Aley did not really pursue her career, which is kind of sad. With her smoky eyes, Hollywood smile, and charm and sparkle, she could have carved out a career for herself. At the same time, if these were the type of scripts coming her way, she may have packed up her tent and fled for the hills.

Could have been so much better.

One of the best personal movies I've ever seen.

[ItsJayYork · 10/10 · 13 April 2014]

I'm not one of those guys who use to write reviews or something, but this movie put another perspective on me. It's like when you can't find way to home an then appear someone who will never rest until not helping you. In its simpleness, The Letter Writer will connect you with that part most people think they lost and that's great because I was one of them and now... I know what I want to be, I know what roads I want to walk and I know... I'm not alone. This movie can save lives, even for people who think there's nothing good in the world. In my opinion, people don't understand things for themselves, so it's necessary to make things easier for them, like this movie does. The Letter Writer is an ESPIRITUAL movie (not religious - people use to confuse both terms), where all broken parts of your soul and heart can be fixed. This movie got the key of life. All depends on you.

A Sugar Overdose - Unrealistic

[chrisclarke-70364 · 3/10 · 30 July 2021]

A nice idea spoiled by unrealistic character development.

Our girl hero is neglected by her mother who doesn't try to understand her or help her with her dreams.

Mother says she hasn't any money but her drawer has a stack of it, hardly surprising that our hero is tempted.

Divorced father lifts her up and dumps her.

Then because an old man treats her with respect her personality and attitudes change out of recognition - I only wish life was this simple.

Perhaps we should treat our children better to start with ?

The Best Family Drama TV Movie Ever!

[pramodyamadurangaserf · 10/10 · 18 November 2018]

One of the Best TV Movie Ever.Well directed Heart touching movie. I loved this so much. These kind of little gems are hard to find and rare. Very exemplary, meaningful, Soul-Bonding,realistic & Emotional movie. This film made me cry. The young girl (Maggie) did a wonderful job. She is very talented girl. All other actors also did a wonderful job to this movie. The writer of the movie is also did a great job. This movie is teaches us that how to overcome the life struggles, how to heal the others hearts...etc. This movie is suit for everyone(Kids also). A must see film.

The most beautiful film I have ever seen

[milad-arch84 · 10/10 · 15 February 2020]

I just saw it for the second time. It literally teaches you how to be good and have fulfillment in your life. Unbelievably touching and without using any exaggerated story, makes you think deeply and reconcider choices you have before you. I loved it with all of my heart and recommend it to anyone to go and watch this beauty.

Simply beautiful, graceful, heartwarming.

[jkminer · 10/10 · 19 August 2023]

Wow, what beautiful uplifting and thoughtful education of how to be kind and worthy and live a life to be proud of how you treat others. Very worthwhile movie to watch. Aley Underwood realy shines and her voice is angelic. She is very believable character and her coming of age realization of learning how to treat others and make a positive difference in life. Bernie Diamond plays a great teacher of life's lessons passing onto younger generations of how to be kind and worthy. In this day of negativity and hatred, this movie really resonates of what society needs to learn. I highly recommend this movie and how Aley continues her journey.

Odd One Out

[charlie-42124 · 3/10 · 27 May 2016]

I've racked my brain trying to understand how people can give this 10 stars. Maybe if one were under 15 years or under... It was like enduring 2 hours of trite Joel Osteen/Oprah Winfrey, "the divine within" platitudes (which are neither Christian nor intelligent BTW). I don't agree with one reviewer who said it was about spiritual awakening. This was about purpose driven humanism, emotionalism, doing good to others in order to feel good about yourself, karma and the like, but it was so poorly acted in parts it was almost embarrassing - particularly the letter writer himself who sadly died during the making of this film. The script and plot weren't believable, the (over and under) acting all round was poor, the fade out scenes lasted way too long, the band was atrocious and even Alley's closing song, while melodic, was lyrically ambiguous and left you thinking... "wha?".

I apologize for the bad review, it's how I honestly saw it. I was really disappointed with it. Perhaps you'll see it differently.

totally unbelievable script and performance

[kacabi · 3/10 · 22 August 2016]

Although I understand the motifs of the creators to make a film with such a plot, I cannot understand the rating. I was expecting at least a well-acted film, with average but rather good plot... But it wasn't believable at all - she's a teenager but the film reveals none of her inner struggles. How is it real, when her life is "falling apart" - as many teenagers would say, that she's not at least angry? She shed a couple of tears and...? Her dad's moving away, friend died, caught cheating, break-up, pushed over from the band, betrayed by a friend and she is not angry but gracefully accepts it and moves on and become a better person? I mean - I've seen worse films, but this was worse than many fairy-tales. The character portraying, the acting, the plot is really bad. I was waiting for a twist happen in the film... disappointed.