U.K. department store ad surprisingly emotional -- and effective

I admit it: I’m a sucker for sentimental TV advertising. I can still tear up at the memory of an old Hallmark commercial that involved an elderly teacher and a former student. Over in the United Kingdom, the big buzz is about the new commercial for department store retailer John Lewis. Many British TV critics are saying it packs more of an emotional punch than any of the current televised dramas.

The ad condensifies a woman’s entire life into 90 seconds (well, almost entire -- she is silver-haired with grandchildren at the end). It’s simple, but masterfully done. Everything works. The only audio is a reworking of Billy Joel’s “Always a Woman to Me, ” sung by British indie artist Fyfe Dangerfield.

The message is one that resonates in today’s uncertain world: Life is full of unexpected turns, and it goes by fast. Buy reliable, quality goods that will stand the test of time.

Watch it here.