84 Charing Cross Road - review

Based on the true story of scriptwriter Helene Hanff’s transatlantic correspondence with book shop owner Frank Doel, this movie is a sweet and charming watch which makes you appreciate the written word.

Living in 1940’s New York, scriptwriter Helene struggles to purchase English literature and so writes to a London book shop that specialise in second hand and antiquarian books in the hope they can provide her with the books she requests. This letter sparks 20 years of correspondence between Helene and book shop owner Frank Doel as Helene requests different books to be sent to her and Frank supplies the books along with an invoice and information about the book shop.

As war hits England, Helene learns from her English friends in New York about food packages which can be sent from Denmark and so decides to send packages to the shop throughout the years to help with rationing cementing her friendship with the team. Soon after Helene is corresponding with all members of staff at the bookshop, but its Frank she writes most to, learning about his family and the pair really get to know each other.

With a love of England, but never having visited, Helene writes to Frank and expresses her wish to be able to visit the bookshop during Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, but unfortunately unplanned dental work makes her trip un-affordable and so she relies again on letters to correspond with her English friends.

As time goes on, Frank updates Helene on life in England including the loss of a member of the team and the progress his daughters are making in life while Helene keeps Frank informed of what’s going on in her life as well as requesting more books.

20 years later, Helene is finally ready to make her trip to London, but having been informed of Frank’s passing, her trip is bittersweet as she visits where the shop used to be to find it closed down and abandoned, but still holding the memories of its American friend.

I really loved this movie and found it one which I could easily watch on a cosy afternoon. As someone who appreciates the written word, in both the form of books and letters, this movie was my cup of tea and one I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.