The Last Letter From Your Lover Best Movie Quotes

Starring: Felicity Jones, Shailene Woodley, Callum Turner, Nabhaan Rizwan, Joe Alwyn, Ncuti Gatwa

OUR RATING: ★★★½

Story:

Romantic drama directed by Augustine Frizzell. The Last Letter From Your Lover (2021) follows Ellie Haworth (Felicity Jones), an ambitious journalist in contemporary London who uncovers a series of love letters in the archives which tell the story of an intensely romantic but forbidden affair in the 1960s between Jennifer Stirling (Shailene Woodley), the wife of a wealthy industrialist, and Anthony O’Hare (Callum Turner), a financial journalist. As Ellie is drawn into the story, she becomes obsessed with discovering the lovers identities and finding out how their love story ends.

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Our Favorite Qutoes:

'Seize this thing that is true, and real, and infinite. Yes, it is scary. But I believe living a lie is worse.' - Anthony O'Hare (The Last Letter From Your Lover) Click To Tweet 'They say if we don't learn from past mistakes, we're bound to repeat them. But can we also learn to let go of the past.' - Ellie (The Last Letter From Your Lover) Click To Tweet

Best Quotes

Andrew: I’m just saying I could give you my number.
Ellie: Or you could not. And we could avoid the whole, you know, me feeling guilty and never calling you back. You feeling dejected, never hearing from me again.
Andrew: I feel so used.
Ellie: Well, you know what, Rob? Welcome to my world.
Andrew: Name’s not Rob.
Ellie: Andrew. F***, sorry.

Alice: [to Jennifer] I wish I could lose my memory. I’d run off into the sunset and forget I ever married Francis in the first place.

Alice: You were lovely, and funny, and full of joie de vivre. You have the perfect life, the cleverest best friend. The rich, handsome husband who adores you.
Jennifer Stirling: Do you know why we don’t have children?
Alice: He’s away an awful lot, your husband. It’s one of the reasons I’ve always been horribly envious of you.

Rory: I just wanted to say quickly, I really enjoyed your feature on starter marriages, and all the like online dating stuff.
Ellie: Oh, yeah?
Rory: Yeah, yeah. The bit about, you know, the difference between passionate and companionate love. Yeah, I never really thought of it like that before.
Ellie: Thanks. It gives me a warm, gooey feeling knowing my unadulterated misery has finally been put to good use.

Anthony O’Hare: My dearest and only love, I know you’re frightened, but believe me when I say I’ve known nothing like this before, and can assure you that I never will again. It’s with that certainty that I’ve decided to make a bold decision. I’m going to take the job in New York. I’ll be on platform two, Marylebone, Friday at 7:15 PM. Come with me, darling. Spare him a life half-lived, a marriage of convenience. More importantly, spare yourself. Seize this thing that is true, and real, and infinite. Yes, it is scary. But I believe living a lie is worse. We could be happy. So happy. Know that you hold my hopes, my heart in your hands. Your Boot.

Ellie: [after reading Athony’s letter] Yeah, sad thing is if you’re going to elope now, you’ll probably just send a text.
Rory: WhatsApp.
Ellie: Yeah. It’d be like, “Hey, babes, meet me at the station if you’re interested. Hashtag comewith, if you want to change your life forever.” Smiley face, aubergine, road sign, sausage.

Ellie: [referring to the letter] What do you think you’ll do with it?
Rory: Burn it. No. I’m kidding. Probably just make sure it gets properly catalogued.
Ellie: Don’t. What about returning it? Or trying to track down whoever sent it.

Jennifer Stirling: [reading Anthony’s letter] “Dearest J, I know what the situation cost you, darling Jenny. But I also know that you and I could no more not love each other than the Earth could stop circling the Sun. You were upset the last time we parted, and I cursed myself for it. My frustration overwhelms me. There is never enough time. Never enough of you. Let’s meet tomorrow. B.”

Jennifer Stirling: [reading Anthony’s letter] “My darling J, I’m still lost somewhere between our time dancing the night away at Alberto’s, and being together on the Riviera. Felipe told me I was like a drunken fool, as I remembered those summer days together. If all we are allowed are hours and minutes, I will etch them on to my memory so that I can recall them in the same way that when I close my eyes, I see your heavenly face. You are never far from my thoughts. Your Boot.”

Jennifer Stirling: You’re here to write marvelous things about my husband, I believe.
Anthony O’Hare: Is that right?
Jennifer Stirling: “Beacon of sound commercial practice, turnover increasing year after year.”
Anthony O’Hare: Are you asking me, or telling me?
Jennifer Stirling: I’m his wife, Mr. O’Hare. I can hardly be impartial.
Anthony O’Hare: In my experience, there’s no one more brutally impartial than a wife.
Jennifer Stirling: Indeed. I’m afraid Larry is running a little late.
Anthony O’Hare: Perhaps not so marvelous after all.

Anthony O’Hare: When you get out, you meet as many people as possible, travel the world, because people like that, people like that make me want to stick a revolver in my mouth and pull the trigger. And the women, Jesus! Spoiled little tai-tais with barely an original thought to string together between them.
Jennifer Stirling: I’m sorry we were such a disappointment.
Anthony O’Hare: Christ, I’m drunk.
Jennifer Stirling: Evidently. Perhaps, Mr. O’Hare, the next time you find yourself in the company of such bores, you would do well to leave early. I just ask that whatever your views of me and my spoiled life, you won’t attack Larry in print. Please excuse me.

Anthony O’Hare: [reading his letter to Jennifer] “Mrs. Stirling, I am an ungracious pig. I’d like to be able to blame exhaustion, or some uncharacteristic reaction to shellfish, but I am afraid it was the combination of the alcohol, which I shouldn’t take, and the choleric temper of the socially inept. There is little you could say about me that I have not already deduced about myself in my more sober hours. Please allow me to apologize. Yours shamefacedly, Anthony O’Hare.”

Jennifer Stirling: So you really found last night that unbearable?
Anthony O’Hare: I admit it. I find armed conflict a less daunting prospect.
Jennifer Stirling: You’re William Boot from Scoop. Evelyn Waugh?
Anthony O’Hare: I know who William Boot is, Mrs. Sterling.

Jennifer Stirling: [referring to when her and Larry met] A few months later, he asked me to marry him, and I said yes. My parents were delighted.
Anthony O’Hare: How so?
Jennifer Stirling: Good family. Good job.
Anthony O’Hare: And those things are important to you, are they?
Jennifer Stirling: Aren’t they to everyone?
Anthony O’Hare: I guess so.

Anthony O’Hare: [referring to his son] Lives with my ex-wife, who does her best to make sure I don’t corrupt him.
Jennifer Stirling: And why would she think you would corrupt him?
Anthony O’Hare: Because I was unfaithful.

Jennifer Stirling: [referring to his son] You must miss him.
Anthony O’Hare: I do. Sometimes I wonder whether if I’d have done what I did if I’d known quite how much.
Jennifer Stirling: Is that why you drink?
Anthony O’Hare: Don’t try to fix me, Mrs. Stirling.

Jennifer Stirling: Did you love her? Your wife?
Anthony O’Hare: I thought I did before, but we were young, and I’m not sure I knew what love was.
Jennifer Stirling: Have you ever loved anyone?

Anthony O’Hare: My son. Have you ever loved anyone?
Jennifer Stirling: I’m married.
Anthony O’Hare: You are.
Jennifer Stirling: For the record, Larry and I are perfectly content.
Anthony O’Hare: I’m glad to hear it.

Ellie: [reading Antony’s letter] “It’s 4:00 AM, and I can’t sleep. It’s like The Road to Madness, but I lie here imagining him next to you, his license to touch you, to hold you, and I would do anything to make that freedom mine. For as long as I can’t have you, I’ll conjure you here instead. Your scent, your hair, that slow sideways smile when something I say amuses you. Darling J, I’ve never wished harder for the dawn. Your Boot.”

Ellie: [referring to the letters] Now I’m going to have to know how it ends. Which means, not only is the rest of my day f***ed, but, guess what, so is yours.
Rory: How f***ed are we talking?
Ellie: Well, I have to know if there are more of these.

Jennifer Stirling: Dear Mr. O’Hare, or shall I call you Boot? Larry called away overseas last minute. It would appear we are both marooned here until he returns. And you without the proper beach attire, how embarrassing. Care to pass the time together this afternoon? I know a darling little shop where you could find your next seaside tome. Yours, J.

Anthony O’Hare: Dear Mrs. Stirling, or may I call you J? Thank you for the offer, and frankly, for the rescue. I’m indebted to you for persuading me out of my room yesterday. I would love to return the favor. I know nowhere, of course, but if you can suggest a place, I can keep you laughing with my terrible schoolboy French.

Jennifer Stirling: Dear Boot, I’m delighted I managed to propel you, blinking, into the sunlight. I would be happy to take you up on your invitation. Perhaps we can spend a few hours in town commiserating over our mutual inadequacies with the local language. Are you free on Thursday?

Anthony O’Hare: I am free Thursday. But I’m also free tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that as well. By the time Mr. Stirling returns, we could very well cover the entire coastline. Let me know what time suits you. Boot.

Ellie: While I was researching, I came across some mysterious old love letters among her things. Not sure how, or why they ended up there, but digging into it for my next feature, 1965, illicit love affair. They’re so rich in feeling. I’ve never read anything quite like it.

Jennifer Stirling: I’ve received a wire. Larry’s back this evening. He is to return to London immediately.
Anthony O’Hare: I see. And what do you want?

Anthony O’Hare: Dearest J, please know that I was not rejecting you. I have never wanted to kiss someone so badly. But when you looked up at me, something changed. And in that moment, I feared our desires would destroy us. You’re an honest, remarkable creature, and I did not want to be the man responsible for making you someone less than you are. For that reason, I’ve spent the last week hating myself for the one decent thing I’ve ever done. So consider this. Spontaneity is at the heart of many wonderful things, but it is also at the root of much discontent. And if we are to embark upon something, I ask only that we make this decision as one. I write these words with you in mind, and my heart swells. So whatever the outcome, let us survive together. You’ll find me at Postman’s Park on Friday at 6:00 PM. I’ll be there waiting. Yours, respectfully, B.

Rory: [referring to the archive room] Before we go in, you’re going to have to remove your shoes.
Ellie: Seriously?
Rory: Kidding.
Ellie: You’re a funny guy.

Anthony O’Hare: My dearest J, there is no sound sweeter than your knock on the door. It’s like there’s always a part of me waiting for it. I struggle to focus at work because my thoughts veer irrevocably back to you. What do global warfare and politics matter to me now? If this carries on, they’ll put me on the gardening pages.

See more The Last Letter From Your Lover Quotes

Jennifer Stirling: The shadow’s at the foot of the bed, Mr. Boot.
Anthony O’Hare: What terrible thing will happen if you stayed beyond five o’clock?
Jennifer Stirling: I’ll stay until it reaches my knees.
Anthony O’Hare: Waist.
Jennifer Stirling: Knees.
Anthony O’Hare: Deal.

Anthony O’Hare: I don’t want you to go. What if we ran away together?
Jennifer Stirling: To where?
Anthony O’Hare: How about New York?
Jennifer Stirling: I love New York.
Anthony O’Hare: I’ve been offered a post there. And I want you to come with me. Move to New York with me.
Jennifer Stirling: You know I can’t.
Anthony O’Hare: Yes, you can. Yes, you can. We can.

Jennifer Stirling: You’re just asking me to run away, to just give up my life?
Anthony O’Hare: Well, in order to start a new one, yes.
Jennifer Stirling: And when you grow tired of me, bored of me, what then?
Anthony O’Hare: That won’t happen.
Jennifer Stirling: Well, it’s happened before. What makes this different?
Anthony O’Hare: Everything. Everything about this is different. If you think that this is even close to anything that I’ve ever felt before, ever known, then you couldn’t be more wrong.

Anthony O’Hare: Jennifer, I love you. I’m in love with you, and I want to share my life with you.
Jennifer Stirling: No, you’re in love with the idea of it all, and you’re being impulsive. And I don’t like it.
Anthony O’Hare: I’m being instinctive! The difference is quite profound.

Jennifer Stirling: Do you have any idea what you’re asking of me? My family, my friends, they would disown me.
Anthony O’Hare: All the more reason to leave them behind.
Jennifer Stirling: So easy for you.
Anthony O’Hare: Easy? Watching you return home every night to a man who…
Jennifer Stirling: A man who what?
Anthony O’Hare: Jennifer, I think it’s entirely possible that you might be wasted in the life that you’re in.

Jennifer Stirling: Boot, it’s true. I was brought up to do what is expected of me rather than what might make me happy. I’m afraid to love you. I’m afraid that if I let myself go, I would love you so much it would consume me. And I fear that once I cease to be a novelty, you might tire of me. You have to understand that if I were to leave with you, it’s not just my family and my security I would lose. It’s my very peace of mind. And it’s a risk I don’t think I’m strong enough to take. I hope you understand. Yours always, J.

Rory: [reading Anthony’s letter] “Dearest J, I’ve spent my life avoiding complication, especially the romantic kind. Having met you, I now realize that what I was doing wasn’t really living at all. I know it’s hard for you to hear that I love you, but I have to say the words. They’re in my head from the moment I wake until I fall asleep again. And if I can’t say them, I’ll write them to you again, and again. I love you, dear Jenny. Your B.”

Ellie: [referring to Rory’s ex] So what happened with you guys then?
Rory: She was religious. But I guess when we met, she was only like a bit religious. And as the relationship went on, she was like, “Actually, the fact you don’t believe in God is emerging as somewhat of a deal breaker for me.” But, in the end, she married this guy.
Ellie: You know. You win some, you lose some.

Ellie: [referring to her ex] And he really wanted kids, but I didn’t. So we broke up.
Rory: I’m sorry.
Ellie: That isn’t even the end. And then we got back together, and then broke up again. And then there was this whole like awful smorgasbord of haphazard shagging. And then finally, he proposed. We were on holiday with about a dozen of our nearest and dearest.
Rory: Oh, gosh.
Ellie: Yep. I mean, it wasn’t even that I didn’t love him. I just wasn’t sure that I loved him enough. And maybe I do want kids. I don’t know. But pretty much knew for sure I didn’t want them with him.

Rory: Well, that sounds like a really s**t breakup. I’m sorry.
Ellie: And that is why people shouldn’t talk about themselves, because it is depressing as s*t.
Rory: Yeah, it’s really depressing.

Ellie: So these ladies, they’re all your sisters, right?
Rory: No. I’m a serial bigamist, actually.
Ellie: Oh. Yeah. Shucks, I thought so.

Ellie: [referring to Jennifer’s PO Box] No, I want to find out who owns one of them so I can write to them. I mean, I want to find out if they still own it, if you see what I’m saying.
Post Office Worker: You’ve obviously not heard of that little thing called “data protection”.

Ellie: Dear J, this might sound strange, but I found some letters that may belong to you, addressed to JS, postmark 1965. They appear to be of sentimental value. If you could bare to tell me, I’d love to know the story behind them and Mr. Boot. With all best wishes, Ellie Haworth.

Ellie: “Dear Miss Haworth, I do not wish to speak to you regarding the events of the period
outlined to me in your letter, and as such will be unable to assist you any further with your investigation. Sincerely, Jennifer Stirling.”

Lawrence Stirling: [referring to Anthony’s letter] They found it on you, the day of the accident.
Jennifer Stirling: I’m guessing you know who wrote it.
Lawrence Stirling: Yes. Yes, his name is Anthony O’Hare. Was. A journalist. I introduced you. The two of you, it seems, were engaged in some kind of… Jenny, he was killed.

Lawrence Stirling: The driver was Felipe, but the man in the passenger seat was a Mr. Anthony O’Hare. And when you woke from your accident, I made a decision. I was trying to protect you.
Jennifer Stirling: From what?
Lawrence Stirling: The truth. I didn’t want you to have to bear the guilt.

Older Anthony: So how did you stumble on my story?
Ellie: Well, initially, I was just following an instinct. And, well, then I thought there might be a feature in it. And then, the more I read, the more I started to feel, I just, I found them incredibly moving.

Ellie: So did she meet you? Did you go to New York together?
Older Anthony: No. Mrs. Stirling did not accompany me to New York.
Ellie: And was that the last, I mean, did you ever see each other again?

Anthony O’Hare: [after Jennifer faints upon seeing him] Jennifer. Am I really that much of a fright after all these years?

Jennifer Stirling: What must you have thought of me?
Anthony O’Hare: Well, I assumed you to be a loyal wife. And then I returned to my work.
Jennifer Stirling: New York?
Anthony O’Hare: It’s been my home for the past four years.

Jennifer Stirling: I was on my way, to meet you. There was a crash. I was left unconscious. I couldn’t remember anything. Until I saw you tonight. I had found your letters, but I was told you… I was misled. I thought that I’d lost you.
Anthony O’Hare: Misplaced, perhaps. But certainly not lost.

Jennifer Stirling: Boot?
Anthony O’Hare: Yes, dear Jennifer.
Jennifer Stirling: Would you kiss me, please?

Anthony O’Hare: Come back with me. I can’t lose you again.
Jennifer Stirling: Too many things have changed.
Anthony O’Hare: I’m still in love with you.

Anthony O’Hare: [referring to her daughter] Bring her.
Jennifer Stirling: I can’t. Forgive me.
Anthony O’Hare: I’ll wait. Tell me to wait for you, and I will.
Jennifer Stirling: I love you. I always have. I’m so sorry.

Ellie: So that was the last you saw of each other? No more letters?
Older Anthony: No more letters.

Ellie: What if I could put the two of you in touch?
Older Anthony: No. I chose to respect Jennifer’s decision all those years ago. It seems only right to me I continue to do so.

Older Anthony: [referring to their letters] I wonder if these ought to be returned to Mrs. Sterling.
Ellie: I already tried.
Older Anthony: You’re a journalist. Try again.

Ellie: I met with Mr. O’Hare, with Anthony, and he wanted me to give you these. He wants you to have them, and it is his express wish.
Older Jennifer: What did you two discuss?
Ellie: Well, you. Mostly. He told me what happened. In the end, you chose your family.

Jennifer Stirling: You lied to me. You told me he was dead. Why?
Lawrence Stirling: For the sake of our marriage.
Jennifer Stirling: By allowing me to believe that I’d killed him? I know that I betrayed you, Lawrence. I live with it every day. And I have spent the last four years of my life trying to be a better wife for you. But I remember, Larry. I remember everything. And the truth is, you and I were broken long before Anthony came into my life.

Jennifer Stirling: The only reason I am still here is because of our daughter. From this day forward, I am your wife in name only. And if you so much as attempt to treat me otherwise, I will take our daughter, and I will leave.
Lawrence Stirling: Now if you think the courts will side with an adulteress, then you’re delusional. And if you try to leave, if you try to take my child, I will destroy you, and you’ll never see her again. Do you understand?

Ellie: So then you went back to your husband?
Older Jennifer: I just couldn’t risk losing her. And I did eventually leave him, when I knew for certain that the law would support my decision.
Ellie: What about Mr. O’Hare? Did you try getting in touch with him once you’d left?
Older Jennifer: I would scour the papers every day looking for his name. Nothing. And eventually, I stopped buying the paper. It felt to me as though he didn’t want to be found.
Ellie: But what about now?

Ellie: You know, he doesn’t know that you tried to go after him. He has no idea.
Older Jennifer: Probably for the best. We had our chance.
Ellie: Yes, but what if you could have another chance?
Older Jennifer: Our heart can only take so much. And I fear, at my age, I’ve reached my limit.

Ellie: The past can be intoxicating. It can draw you in, create the illusion that things were better, you were happier, or experiences were richer back then. It can also debilitate you, leaving you stuck in your memories of pain, heartbreak, and disappointment, holding you back from even attempting another shot at happiness. They say if we don’t learn from past mistakes, we’re bound to repeat them. But can we also learn to let go of the past, learn to forge ahead, keeping the knowledge close, but not letting it overtake our ability to try again, to feel again?

Ellie: [to Rory] I don’t know why I left the other morning without saying goodbye, and I don’t know why I didn’t reply to any of your messages. That’s a really s**tty thing. And, I mean, if you wanted to message me again, you have my word you’ll get a reply. But I get there might be a ton of reasons why you don’t want to speak to me, or write to me, or hang out with me. And, in truth, I’m kind of worried you might think I’m a pretty heinous individual if you get to know me. But at this point, I don’t think being afraid to try is a good enough reason for anything. And I think you’re f***ing tip-top, Rory. And I’d really love to see you again. I hope you don’t mind me saying that.

Rory: Look, where are you?
Ellie: I’m outside.
Rory: Sorry?
Ellie: I’m outside your flat.
Rory: Oh, my God. That’s so creepy.
Ellie: Yeah, well, I was aiming for industrious, but I take your point.

Ellie: She tried everything.
Rory: So he still doesn’t know she went after him?
Ellie: No, he’s got no idea.
Rory: So you have to tell him.
Ellie: I know! I want to, but they don’t want to see each other.
Rory: If that was true, then why keep the PO box open the whole time? That doesn’t make any sense.
Ellie: That is a really good point.

Older Anthony: Dear J, please forgive this brief intrusion, but as I’m sure you are aware, our very separate lives have thankfully, at least for this old man, once again intercepted. In the intervening years, I’ve thought of you with a constancy I hesitate to now admit. Missing you. So I shall venture one last time, with some trepidation. Postman’s Park, Friday, 2:00 PM. Yours respectfully, B.

Older Anthony: [to Older Jennifer] How about we close our eyes?
Anthony O’Hare: A letter. An invitation, to come away. To start again. Marylebone. Waiting. I am starting to worry now.
Jennifer Stirling: But there’s really no need. Because I’m right here. Right on time.

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