Valentine's Day: Review

I have to start off by saying that celebrities must love to work with Garry Marshall. If he says: ‘let’s make a movie’ almost anyone and everyone who is anyone in Hollywood is willing to give Marshall a few days and a stellar performance. I didn’t know what to expect heading into this film… so much of me hoped that it would be a horrible flop that was obviously made as a Valentine’s Day money-grab so I could rip it and every single celebrity involved in this project apart… unfortunately I can’t do that. If this movie had been directed by anyone else it would have been a complete failure; but Garry Marshall took what could have potentially been another disastrous rom-com and turned it into what could potentially become an instant classic; just like his former glory Pretty Woman.

Warner Brother’s film Valentine’s Day delivers much more than I imagined it would. Literally packed with a cast of A-list actors that include Jessica Alba, Ashton Kutcher, Julia Roberts, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway and some B-list act0rs that include George Lopez, Topher Grace, Queen Latifah, Kathy Bates, amongst many others, we see a series of vignette-like stories that all connect together in the end unfold gracefully and almost flawlessly. While the acting was superb the only criticism that I can think of involved that of the two Taylor’s (Swift and Lautner). While added to definitely seduce the younger teenage girls into coming out to see the film Taylor Swift’s acting is hollow and two-dimensional making me want to beg her to stick to music and leave Hollywood to the actors… as for Taylor Lautner - well; we all know that his best acting gig was that horrible and dreadful night he spent on Saturday Night Live - so while he may be a hot commodity (for taking off his shirt) he should also leave acting to the actors. Despite the Taylor-squared problems with this film the plot actually comes off without a hitch and the rest of the actors are phenomenal. I would have to include that one of the best, and most surprising, performances in this film comes from Eric Dane (Grey’s Anatomy’s McSteamy) whose character not only provides some great comic moments but also brings about the theme of the movie round-about in the end. There was also a great two second cameo by Joe Mantegna that kicked the film’s laughs into gear and reminded us that Ashton Kutcher, as big of a goofball as he can be, can also play a very sweet and serious lead role. All of the actors brought something unique to their roles that helped provide a connection with the audience; I was particularly impressed by the growth that was seen in Topher Grace as an actor; from Eric Foreman, to a horrible portrayal as Venom, to now, a role that may actually define him as a serious contender in Hollywood as an actor.

This film was definitely held together by it’s stellar cast.

Despite maintaining moments of predictability that follow along a typical romantic-comedy film there are enough twists and turns to keep the audience intrigued and some great laughs along the way. The surprising thing about this film is, despite being able to be considered as a ’sappy’ romantic movie it can also be labelled as a ‘laugh-out-loud’ comedy.

While not the ‘perfect’ movie it definitely comes close; especially for a genre that I don’t care for in particular. This movie may actually be a near-perfect date movie; as it truly does encompass a very wide spread audience and will be enjoyed by all; young, old, male or female.

This movie does right everything that New Line Cinema’s He’s Just Not That Into You did wrong; which is ironic since this film was produced by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema.

Definitely worth the viewing. Check it out this weekend… or this Valentine’s Day.

3.5 out of 5 stars