A classic tale that transcends time, love, and space – pacing through lives and emotions through its vivid cinematography and mesmerizing architectural space is “The Last Letter From Your Lover”. Directed by Augustine Frizzell, and adapted from Jojo Moyes’ novel – the film effortlessly and brilliantly shapes the characters’ lives through their timelines through various mediums of design and art.
A Love Across Eras
Time transcends in this film through the 1960s and the current timeline as it does between night and day: effortlessly and seamlessly – stringing nostalgia and the same emotions as they pass up and down the timeline to different characters. The design elements of “The Last Letter From Your Lover” work in harmony to seamlessly transition through the timelines creating a cohesive and visually striking experience through cinematography, art direction, costume design, architecture, and set design.
The film opens by placing us in a somber backdrop of a rain-soaked London in 1965, setting a melancholic and introspective atmosphere in the beginning. The cinematography adopts a warm, nostalgic tone with soft lighting, and gentle camera movements – evoking a sense of poetics and romanticism. Pale colors flood the house of the protagonist, and the whole room seems to have a shadow cast upon it – but there is always one predominant soft light source where the protagonist stands. As the film proceeds, soft light starts to fall on objects of importance to the storyline, piercing the dark cast that encompasses the room.
A dark shot is embraced with the same soft light as we find ourselves in current London, where one of the protagonists wakes up. The transition is seamless, but as the scene begins to shift, the contrast in its design and ambiance is noticeable. The warmer palette is replaced by a cooler one with more modern cinematography techniques, reflecting the contemporary setting. The colors are brighter, but the gloom persists even if it’s translated differently. Where in 1965, romanticism was expressed more overtly and outrightly, is now inhibited in the modern scenario. It isn’t said, but is still felt through the screen. Similarly, modern London is packed with bustling streets where it was once lonely, but even in a crowded room, the modern-day protagonist still feels lonely – and thus, a need for expressive, overt, romanticism. The use of framing and composition enhances the emotional impact of these key moments, giving each character a narrative of their own yet somehow still strung with one another through the timeline.
As the story unfolds, the dark cast of rainy London in the 60s gradually gives way to moments of illumination, both metaphorically and literally. As the narrative progresses, rays of hope pierce through the gloom, symbolizing the incline of romanticism and hope between the protagonists.
As the light prevails, the viewers are presented with a captivating cinematic landscape of 1965 through meticulously crafted sets. Colors start to fill as the characters shift from confined spaces to more free and open ones. From serene landscapes, elegant interiors, and an increasing bustle in the streets – the production design transports us to the charm and nostalgia of the emotions of the characters, visually represented as she expresses them. In contrast, the present-day scenes carry the same streamlined, minimal aesthetic, and not so much of the lushness of the past. However, the emotions are still reflected in the storyline.
The Intertwined Design Elements
The design elements of “The Last Letter From Your Lover” work intertwined with the storyline. Costume Design is another crucial aspect of the film’s visual storytelling. The costumes are set apart by the two timelines based on the trends of that time. With A-line dresses, and necks adorned with pearls and gloves, the glitz and glamour of the 60s is reflected. But the costumes help to improve the characterization of the story – the era being more refined with grace and sophistication. The present-day clothing, in contrast, does not carry this uptight glamour and has a more relaxed and comfortable costume design – emphasizing the comfort and adaptability of the characters. Perhaps, also allowing two different definitions of romance to exist in different timelines through the costumes – even if the emotional dialogue remains the same.
The contrast between the two serves to highlight the passage of time and the evolution of fashion over the decades. Additionally and more importantly, it also serves as a means to represent their personalities, status, and emotional journey throughout the film. The outfits’ texture and color scheme improves the narrative even more. A sense of opulence that existed in the 60s transcends to a more subdued aesthetic while continuously stringing the same romantic aesthetic through contrasting looks.
Beyond mere backdrop, the set design also serves as an integral part of conveying deeper symbolism and thematic romance. Certain places, like Jennifer Stirling’s beachside hideaway, have symbolic meaning for the character’s emotional journey through themes of love, grief, and desire. Set designers spare no expense in meticulously crafting the sets that reflect the period with authenticity and close attention to detail, from bustling streets, quiet alleyways, and quaint cafes to grand estates of stately homes, complete with ornate furnishings, intricate wallpapers, and luxurious fabrics, lavishly decorated.
A masterful blend of design, art, and cinematography is witnessed in the film. “The Last Letter From Your Lover” captivates the audience with its emotions piercing through the screen and onto its viewers. It radiates romanticism – the love, the loss, and the longing and makes each one of them feel as deeply through the periods as they pass. It’s a testament to the power of design to evoke emotion, provoke thought, and transport us into different timelines back and forth and ultimately, coalesce them together.
