The Lost Valentine
The Lost Valentine
| 30 January 2011 (USA)
The Lost Valentine Trailers

A young and cynical female journalist learns love may transcend trials and time as she discovers a story that will change her life forever. When war separates lovers on their wedding anniversary Feb. 14, 1944 at LA Union Train Station, Navy pilot Neil Thomas makes a promise he isn't sure he can keep - to return to the train station safe by their next anniversary. For sixty years Caroline Thomas keeps her promise by waiting at the train station until her missing in action husband can finally keep his with the "lost valentine." The message and meaning shows romance and love can be real; worth fighting, and maybe even dying for.

Reviews
Amy Adler

Caroline Thomas (Betty White), a grandmother, goes to the train station every Valentine's Day. It was there that she last saw her husband, Neal, who was shipped off to the Pacific during World War II. Also, the two of them, young and in love, were married on February 24th so its a special day. Since the day Caro got the telegram stating that her husband was missing in action, this fine lady makes this gesture of hope that he will return one day. Luckily, she does have loving support from her handsome grandson, Lucas (Sean Faris), whose father never met his dad, Neal, because his birth came after the squadron was sent away, too. By some happenstance, the story of Caroline's faithful station visits comes to the producers of a show called American Diaries. They send beautiful reporter, Susan (Jennifer Love Hewitt) to Mrs. Thomas' house to investigate the possibility of doing a human interest television spot on the war widow. At first, she is a bit reluctant, but soon she is delivering a captivating tale to Susan. Grandson Lucas also spars with Susan a few times but then grows warmer in his attitude. This begins to complicate the situation because Susan is almost engaged to another globe-trotting reporter named Andrew (Will Chase). Then, Caroline has a mild heart attack. Also, Susan discovers that she may have path to discover what did happen to Neal. So, will the program be made and will it include the truth about Neal's fate? This lovely film deserves to be FOUND, by anyone and everyone. It is just terrific in every way, from the cast to the production to the heart-felt story. White doesn't get to display much of her sensational humor but she is great in a more serious role than she normally undertakes. Love-Hewitt and Faris make a very fine, potentially romantic duo. Also, the flashbacks to the forties are made with care, providing a wonderful glimpse into an era gone by. Do you want to spend an evening at home with the best possible entertainment? Then, silly, don't wait and go find The Lost Valentine.

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jazzstil

I have never cried and smiled so much for a movie. Purely amazing, very heart touching. I recommend this to everyone and anyone. You could feel the emotions of the actors. I wasn't expecting it to be this good. And this is coming from someone who never cries while watching movies.Good for any age group. I guarantee you'll cry while watching this.I cannot explain how much I truly enjoyed this movie. Purely Outstanding . The Notebook used to be my favourite romantic movie. But after watching this, I have without a doubt changed my mind. If you ever get a chance to watch this, I highly recommend you do. I promise you will not regret it! Long story short,absolutely fantastic, and a must watch.

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gossip girl

I have never cried and smiled so much during a movie before! Juxtaposition right? Well, this movie made me cry like a little baby. I kid you not, I went through the tissue box. The story line is good, the actors are amazing. The whole thing was so believable and Betty White.. Ohhhh Betty White... I am speechless. I wanted to go and hug her. I literally just finished watching it and my eyes are all red and watery, but I can't get over how good it was! Honestly, one of the best movies I've seen. Hallmark almost never ceases to disappoint. Most Hallmark movies, though, are very light and fluffy, and your typical rom-coms with happily ever afters, but this one goes the extra mile. It's happy, it's sad. It's the real deal.I also loved the message is sent out throughout and at the end, with the rose (which is not a spoiler at all). The ending seemed a bit scripted, but it was good. It's already 2 AM. I told myself I'd finish the movie tomorrow, but I couldn't stop watching! If I left it for tomorrow, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight and would be analyzing the different outcomes of the movie.Sean Farris and Jennifer Love Hewitt :: loved it! Absolutely wonderful! The cast was chosen so well, I don't think they could've done a better job with it!Altogether, I give this a 10/10 because it truly exceeded my expectations and made me laugh, and cry, and love, and hate. Stories like this make you believe in everlasting love. It does exist. And after watching this movie, I hope to someday find it.

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vchimpanzee

On Valentine's Day 2010, Caroline Thomas visits Union Station for the 65th time, hoping her husband Neil will return. The friendly conductor says she's been on time every year for the 25 years he has worked there.Susan is a reporter for the TV news magazine "American Diary", and she is tired of stories that she does not consider meaningful. Still, she gets sent to do an interview with Caroline, which she considers more of the same. She's about to find out this is the best story she has ever done, and one of her show's best stories as well.Andrew, whose job involves lots of travel, proposes to Susan in front of their friends, but Susan rejects him because the proposal was not romantic enough--and not done in private. Andrew goes off on his latest trip.Susan and her crew meet Caroline, who is reluctant to do an interview at first. Caroline is persuaded when Susan claims to know her grandson Lucas, a physical therapist who she met once. Lucas helps talk his grandmother into doing the interview, and it becomes clear that Lucas may be a better match for Susan than Andrew.Through flashbacks narrated by Caroline, we learn that Caroline and Neil met but did not have a relationship at first, but then they became reacquainted after Neil became a Navy pilot in World War II. At the time, Neil was not part of the fighting, and he and Caroline married and moved into a rundown house which they fixed up (and they must have done a good job because Caroline still lives there). Then, after Caroline was already pregnant, Neil decided he had to join the war. In one of the first flashbacks we see Neil getting on the train and Caroline handing him a handmade heart--a very emotional scene. One wonders if this couple will ever be able to separate.During the war, Caroline receives numerous letters from Neil, but she occasionally sees the Western Union man delivering bad news to her neighbors. And then one day it's her turn.But missing does not mean dead. Susan and Caroline become good friends, and Susan has become quite fond of Lucas as he has helped her with back problems. And she really wants to find the conclusion to the story. There are clues as to what may have happened to Neil to keep him from coming back.Meanwhile, though Susan and Andrew are not getting along, Andrew has connections in the Phillipines, where Neil was last seen. The investigation uncovers a wonderful story, which is well-done, though I shouldn't give away too many details.The final scenes prove a worthy tribute to our men (and women) in uniform, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.Betty White gives the best performance of all, and I expect to hear about her when Emmy nominations are announced. Although she is best known for comedy, she delivers a full range of emotion, sometimes demonstrating her comic abilities but also achieving fine results with drama. Yes, there is heartbreak, but it's not all bad.Jennifer Love Hewitt does a good job here, though I have to say her scenes with Andrew seemed more like a Canadian Lifetime TV-movie than a Hallmark Hall of Fame. She and Sean Faris have much more appeal, and even give us some laughs in a movie that really needs them.Billy Magnussen and Meghann Fahy both do a good job as the leading cast members from World War II. They too have a couple of scenes with some laughs, but they mostly deliver real drama.I really liked the World War II music in the flashbacks. Mostly, though, these scenes had the pleasant orchestra music that seems almost boring by comparison to the high-energy jazz from wartime.It was a perfect story for Valentine's Day, even if it aired two weeks early.

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