Two streamers have launched new shows aimed at audiences for nostalgia and romance. One is an original Netflix movie and the other a 3-part series on Amazon.
The Last Letter from Your Lover This is one of those nostalgic romances in the vein of The Notebook. A journalist (Felicity Jones) discovers the 60s correspondence between 2 lovers (Shailene Woodley & Callum Turner). The story of their forbidden liaison is interwoven between her continuing research and her own relationships. Anyone who’s seen any of this genre knows what to expect, so it’s up to the production to make it stand out. The performances are all strong and the relationships are compelling, so this helps the appeal. The period clothes add a nostalgic angle. Fans of romantic novels will find plenty to enjoy. 
(3 / 5)
The Pursuit of Love Emily Mortimer wrote and directed this 3-part series that revolves around 2 best friends (Lilly James & Emily Beecham) from 20s to 40s England. Their extremely restrictive environment thwarts their desired thrills of romance, although they’re determined to find love. While set in a different period, the parallels to Jane Austen abound: a restrictive father, societal constraints, fancy dress balls and country estates. Mortimer manages to give the production a level of professionalism, but the show brings little new or clever. I only watched the first episode (total 3 one-hour episodes), but the lack of anything special or appealing won’t compel me to watch the rest. 
(2.5 / 5)