"Valentine's Day"

Since there’s not already enough hype surrounding Valentine’s Day, why not make a movie about it?
That’s what Marshall does in his star-stacked romantic comedy “Valentine’s Day.”
It’s difficult to summarize because there are so many different characters and plotlines, but basically the film follows the stories of multiple people (mostly couples), young and old, highlighting the pressure the pink-hearted holiday can put on people.
There’s the guy who just got engaged, his best friend and her new boyfriend, the grandparents about to renew their vows after 50 years, teenagers intent on losing their virginity, strangers who strike up a friendship on a 14-hour flight, a little boy trying to give flowers to his valentine, a couple who just started dating and of course the token neurotic, miserable, single girl who hates Valentine’s Day because she’s alone.
It’s a fairly typical rom-com, with the expected break-ups and make-ups, a few laughs and some serious moments. What makes it most interesting is the cast - even the minor characters are bankable stars. You’re keyed in the whole time just to see who else will show up.
But the film’s strength is it’s biggest weakness – like “Crash” it attempts to weave all these people together, but does so much less adeptly than the 2004 award-winner.
It’s entertaining, but it tries to do a little too much. The plot switches between characters so often that just when you start to get invested in one story, you have to switch gears. There were two or three plots that could have been developed into more interesting - and more meaningful - story lines, but instead became background to a series of cute moments.
The film also reigns in the considerable comedic talent, only generating a few laugh-out-loud moments despite the presence of veteran funny-people like Ashton Kutcher, George Lopez, Jamie Foxx, Bradley Cooper, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacClaine, Anne Hathaway and Queen Latifah. With a few exceptions, most of these A-listers are upstaged by newcomers Emma Roberts, Taylor Swift and Carter Jenkins in the laugh department.
And though the previews indicate that the film will attempt to provide a commentary on what Valentine’s Day looks like to couples across all spectrums, it instead tries to showcase the “real” meaning of love and romance.
The few truly touching moments must make way for the romances that take place, because, well, it’s Valentine’s Day.
In the end, “Valentine’s Day” doesn’t even meet its own standard of rising above the cliche romance that rom-coms like to peddle. But, it’s not all bad - cute and entertaining, and quite the cast.
Special thank you to Steve Dredge and the Jewell II


‘Valentine’s Day’
Directors: Garry Marshall
Writers: Katherine Fugate
Characters:
everyone in Hollywood.
Rating: PG-13 for “some sexual material and brief partial nudity.”