'Underrated' rom-com based on best selling book shows 'critics don't know what they're talking about' on BBC tonight

Based on the best-selling book of the same name, PS I Love You is a romantic-comedy tearjerker starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler as the tragic husband and wife duo. Addressing the heart-wrenching topics of love, grief and healing, fans of the 2007 flick fail to understand why it received such a lukewarm reception at the time of its release. Viewers appeared to vote with their feet though in defiance as the movie was a huge box office success and continues to delight to this day. The novel by Cecelia Ahern had a strikingly similar tale to tell with largely negative critical reviews. Despite this it was a number one best seller in many countries including Britain, Ireland and the United States. Holly (Swank) and Gerry (Butler) live in Manhattan and despite their tiffs they are madly in love. Tragedy strikes the pair when Gerry dies from an illness after a decade of marriage. The grief causes Holly to shut herself away from the outside world and her family, including her mother Patricia (Kathy Bates). On her 30th birthday the grieving widow receives the first of many messages from her late husband, which all end with PS I Love You and which spur her to move on in life. Along with her friends, Denise, played by Lisa Kudrow and Sharon (Gina Gershon) she travels to Gerry’s homeland of Ireland where more lessons and messages from him are revealed. When it opened critics slammed it for being clichéd and unbelievable, also slating Swank’s casting. However it grossed $156.8 million worldwide at the box office with a budget of $$million. Similarly Ahern’s debut novel received mediocre reviews with criticism directed at the book’s predictability but readers clearly disagreed. It bagged the number one best-seller spot in Britain, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands and in Ireland, where it remained riding high for nineteen weeks. Fans of the emotional movie have shared their disbelief at poor reviews on Rotten Tomatoes where it scores just 25%. One who found it personally comforting after a bereavement reasoned: "This film is so underrated. It is a love story. Maybe it is because it talks of the reality of death and how to cope. I saw this film not long after my husband had passed after his cancer battle so I could relate. This film helped me with my grieving process. I bought my own DVD copy and I must have played it many times. I thought the cast was excellent. I also loved the music." Another said: "I was disappointed for any bad reviews! I loved the story, acting of all roles. At first I wasn't sure about H. Swank but as the story goes on she was perfect for the role and superb acting. Love G.Butler as well. H. Connick Jr, love him he is under rated always! Remember he was a singer first, then went to acting." A third was also baffled by the reception: "I cannot for the life of me, fathom out the poor ratings this film has from critics. It is just beautiful. Wonderful sound track, moments of heart wrenching grief and moments of hilarity. It's a stunner." While one man recommended it for couples: "That was a really good movie and I’m a guy so any guy reading this it’s worth watching with your significant other. Great job to everyone that was involved in this film!" PS I Love You airs on BBC3 at 10.15pm tonight, Wednesday 26 November.