Elizabeth

When I first saw "The Love Letter," I loved the Elizabeth Whitcomb character, and Jennifer Jason Leigh's portrayal of her. I think Elizabeth is a fascinating character, partly because of the screenplay's parallels with Emily "Elizabeth" Dickinson which I'm sure are not accidental.

To mention just a few of the parallels. Civil War era, Massachusetts setting, sister named Flossie (Emily's sister was Lavinia, nicknamed Vinnie), unheralded poet (Emily had only 7 of her 1789 poems published during her lifetime). Never married, but lots of mysteries, and questions about her love life- in part because of some rather "passionate" Dickinson poems, and, in part, because of letters addressed only to "Master," known as the Master Letters in which Dickinson appears to be writing to a male lover.

Who wouldn't find the prospect of corresponding with such a woman across a vast period of time tantalizing? I would say kudos to Jennifer Jason Leigh for her portrayal, Jack Finney for the story, the filmmakers for the film, and, of course, to the original Elizabeth, Emily Dickinson, for being part of the inspiration for such a wonderful character.