While searching for rare English books, New York writer Helene Hanff's (Anne Bancroft) letter to a London bookstore, run by Frank Doel (Anthony Hopkins), begins a relationship between the two that spans two decades and two continents. Although their personalities and cultures are miles apart, their friendship blossoms into a deeper affection. Bancroft's performance earned her the BAFTA award, the British equivalent of the Oscar. Based on James Roose-Evans's play, which was based on Helene Hanff's memoir.