“The Lost Valentine” delivers stirring story
Hallmark Hall of Fame delivers another poignant movie with “The Lost Valentine,” the story of a woman who engages in a lifetime of honoring her true love, and the reporter who tells her story.
After encouragement from her grandson Lucas, Caroline Thomas (Betty White) recounts her story of falling in love and marrying Navy Lt. Neil Thomas to TV journalist Susan Allison (Jennifer Love Hewitt).
With their time together shown in flashbacks, Caroline shares how much she and Neil loved each other, showing Susan letters and the telegram stating Neil’s plane had gone down in the Pacific during World War II and he had been declared missing in action.
Caroline raised their newborn son, bringing him up in the house she and Neil had fixed up together.
For the next 65 years Caroline has returned to Union Station, where she had bid her husband farewell when he left for the war, on the anniversary of her loss to pay tribute to his memory.
Meanwhile, Susan is struggling with how to answer the proposal from her boyfriend Andrew, who she cares about, but he’s always away working.
Sparks ignite between Susan and Lucas during the filming of this television project, but Susan wants to decide where she stands with Andrew before even thinking about a new relationship with Lucas.
Susan enlists Andrew’s help in investigating what actually happened to Neil and this leads to an extremely emotional ending.
White is truly a treasure and is wonderful in this movie, playing Caroline with so much goodness and dignity.
Hewitt is sufficient in her role, making her character’s situation believable as well as admirable for her persistence in helping Caroline.
Sean Faris brings the right touch to Lucas, conveying the warmth and sincerity you’d expect from Caroline’s grandson.
The portrayals of the young Caroline (Meghann Fahy) and Neil (Billy Magnussen) are heart-warming and sweet and their flashback scenes are captivating.
It would take the most cynical of viewers to not be moved by this story.
“The Lost Valentine” airs Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBS.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
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