Dear Viola (2014)

In the heart of the Bellport Herald newspaper, the soul-stirring advice column 'Dear Viola' thrives, captivating the town with its empathetic wisdom. As Helen, the original Viola, announces her retirement, Earl Bellamy, the newspaper's steadfast editor, finds himself unexpectedly drawn to a sparkling response to a 'Dear Viola' letter. This anonymous yet vivacious reply mirrors Helen's spirited attitude but with an amplified charm. The author of this letter, as Earl discovers, is none other than his unassuming bookkeeper, Katie Minor. Katie, a seemingly ordinary woman, has devoted her life to serving others, often forsaking her personal and professional ambitions. Her world encompasses her caregiving role to Rennie Jasper, the former housekeeper to Katie's late mother. When approached by Earl to assume the mantle of Viola, Katie agrees under the condition of maintaining her anonymity. As she takes charge of the column, her fiery responses and heartfelt advice invigorate 'Dear Viola,' attracting a fervent following. Among the followers is 'Lost Love,' a grieving widower and father, who finds solace in his letters to Viola. His despair stems from the loss of his soul mate, a pain that deepens each time he sees his wife's reflection in their eight-year-old daughter, Meredith. As Katie deciphers 'Lost Love's' identity, she realizes he is Russ Mitchell, a casual acquaintance and co-owner of a fishing boat charter. Through her newfound perspective as Viola, Katie begins to fall for Russ, embracing the prospect of a life with him and Meredith. However, Katie's journey towards love is fraught with challenges. She must evolve from her inhibited self and grapple with the ethical boundaries of her secret identity, especially when Russ, under Viola's advice, pursues a relationship with Jamie Estevez, a new resident with clear ulterior motives. Dear Viola intertwines the lives of these diverse characters, exploring the transformative power of love, the intricacies of identity, and the compelling magnetism of words.

Dear Viola is a comedy movie featuring Kellie Martin and directed by Laurie Lynd.

Dear Viola is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Plex, Plex Player and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video and Pure Flix.

It is also possible to buy Dear Viola on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.