Swank should have left 'P.S.' in the dead letter office

Oscar winner Hilary Swank re-teams with her "Freedom Writers" writer-director, Richard LaGravenese, for a wistful romance that they both should have had the sense to avoid, "P.S. I Love You."

There's nothing wrong with schmaltzy, maudlin mush about a free-spirit husband leaving get-on-with-your-life letters behind for his grieving widow. But somehow, director and star seem out of their depth in this comedy that strains to find laughs, this weeper that can't wring out tears.

Swank is Holly, the uptight, high-strung wife to the happy-go-lucky Gerry, played by "300" star Gerard Butler, not looking the least bit Spartan. She quits job after job, frets over their apartment and puts off any plans he might have for their future. And he just sings. He's Irish, y'see.

Cut to months later, when Gerry is dead and the letters start popping up. Gerry's planned this elaborate, post-death life-transformation for Holly, to help her get over him, maybe to help her grow a little bit.

Bar crawls, karaoke dares and a trip to Ireland to meet his family all are inspired by letters and plans he's made for her year of mourning.

But the film has few funny lines, few moments that genuinely touch the heart. "P.S." should tickle and tease and pause, every now and then, for a tear. Over two intermittently watchable hours, this doesn't.