The Lost Valentine is a 2011 American drama film starring Betty White, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Sean Faris.
The story follows the characters of a TV journalist, Susan, working on a profile of a woman, Caroline, whose husband naval aviator Lt. Neil was declared MIA sixty years ago during World War II. Susan immediately clashes with Caroline's grandson, Lucas, when he overhears her referring to the potential story as a fluff piece, rather than the very personal story it is, since she herself doubts if pure and true love exists. She apologizes, and manages to start the interview and starts spending time with both Caroline and Lucas. Her developing friendship with Lucas makes her have doubts about her relationship with her almost fiance, Andrew, a photographer who is frequently absent overseas.
The interview with Caroline reveals that for sixty-six years she has had no information about her husband from the Department of the Navy. She tells her story about how she and her husband got married and renovated a house that they bought. Despite being happily married, Neil felt that he should help his country during the war, so he went back to the Navy. Caroline who was pregnant remained strong, and continue sending letters to Neil. On one time, Neil replied with a valentine letter with a small, handmade wooden sculpture of a plane. After that Caroline stopped receiving letters. Caroline, along with the entire neighborhood, dreaded the times when their friendly mailman arrived in the neighborhood with a yellow telegram, since this would mean that somebody's husband is reported to be dead or missing in action. Eventually, the moment where Caroline received one came, but since the telegram only stated that her husband was missing in action, she refused to believe that he was dead. Caroline has returned every year on Valentine's Day at the train station to wait for him since then.
With the additional help of a United States Senator who puts pressure on the Navy, they locate the Billings family, whose now deceased father Jeff was a gunner on Lt. Neil' airplane. From a surviving letter by Jeff to his wife we hear the account of the crash and of Morang, a Filipino guerilla, who rescued three wounded crash survivors. Susan turns to Andrew for help because he still has connections to the Philippines where Lt. Neil was last seen alive.
Putting past hard feelings over his breakup with Susan aside, Andrew manages to locate the elderly Morang whilst in the Philippines and sets up a teleconference between him the aged Caroline. The story of the fate of Lt. Neil, Morang says, is that he was badly wounded, but insisted his more seriously injured gunner, Jeff be evacuated first to get medical aid. When Lt. Neil had recovered, he joined the Filipino Guerillas and fought the Japanese deep behind enemy lines. During a patrol, Lt. Neil was killed by a Japanese sniper whilst selflessly trying to rescue a little boy. Morang reveals he knows where Lt. Neil lies buried.
The US Navy goes to the 1944 grave site and returns Lt. Neil' remains and personal effects to the United States. Caroline is handed Lt. Neil's wallet and dogtags. In recognition of Lt. Neil's bravery and courage, he is to be posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart. On Valentine' Day, Lt. Neil is buried by the US Navy, with full military honors, conducted in front of rolling cameras, tearful Caroline taking her last goodbyes from her beloved Neil to the sound of the Last Post. Caroline is cheered when Lucas and Susan begin a romantic relationship. The film ends with Caroline, who finally finds peace and closure, seeing her roses in the garden have a single bloom, it's first for a long time, and she reminisces her romantic moments with Neil in the same garden.
The whole movie got me crying so bad from the beginning til the end.
Talking about departure and true love.
I was deeply touched by how Caroline never stopped believing that her love one will return from the war even after 66 years.
Never even missing once from waiting at the train station every Valentine's Day.
Such a strong faith and strong heart.
A very beautiful movie indeed.
The OST of the movie caught my attention.
It was a 40's era song but it is really sweet and heart warming.
totally showing all the love mood for Caroline and Neil in the movie.
Doris Day - Dream a little dream of me
And there is another song I love very much as well.
Birdy - Skinny love
If you would like to watch the full movie, you can watch it here >>
Prepare a box of tissue if you are an easily touched person =)
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