Valentine's Day Movie Review

MOVIE REVIEW: VALENTINE'S DAY

02/11/10

Let me start off by sharing with you all that this review is one of my Valentine gifts to my sweetheart, Cine Marcos. He had a lot on his plate this week and writing this for him would be a great help, plus, it didn’t cost me a thing. These are the kind of things we do for those we love.

Now on to the film itself, Valentine’s Day. Well the title says it all, right? I know, I know, with a name like that this must be some sappy, sickly sweet film about that oh so sticky holiday. But give it a chance; this was actually fun and entertaining. The format itself made it interesting because this is one of those movies that take you into the life of several people who start out seemingly unconnected then brings it all full circle in the end.

Valentines is one of those holidays that we all believe in and one way or another react to. For those of us who are in love, it’s a day you look forward to because it gives you a new chance to show your loved one exactly how much you care. For those out there who have no special someone, it’s a painful reminder of just that fact. As you watch this film you will get to know the stories of several characters experiencing their own good, bad and complicated versions of this sometimes bittersweet day.

Reed Bennet (Ashton Kutcher) starts off his Valentine’s Day in bed with his beloved ready to ask, possibly the most important question of both their lives. How sweet. But life can be funny you know. Julia (Jennifer Garner) is enjoying a promising relationship with her new boyfriend, a doctor no less. But, oh those doctors and their busy schedules, can’t always be available just because on this day, most people celebrate love. Kara (Jessica Biel) is one of those unique people who detests this day and every year throws a lonely hearts type party in protest of the day (can I just say that the thought of G-orgeous Miss Biel as a lonely heart just doesn’t seem to work for me). These are just a few of the wonderful and easily recognizable actors in this film. Their stories will twist and turn and possibly surprise you in the end. I was really pleased to find veteran actors, Hector Elizondo as Edgar and Shirley McLaine as Estelle playing a sweet, committed older couple finding that in the business of love, all is not always as it seems. George Lopez (Alphonso) plays a small part but his comedic talent shines through as a slightly un-stereotypical flower delivery guy and friend to Reed. Now I could go on and on about each character and their particular scenarios but that would probably give up too much of the story.

The cast is the first thing that attracted me to see it, I mean, all of the aforementioned plus, Jessica Alba, Queen Latifaf, Jaime Foxx, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Topher Grace, Emma Roberts, Taylor Swift and for eye candy, Taylor Lautner (you should of heard the teenage screals in the theater when he came on screen) Eric Dane, Bradley Cooper and last but never least, Patrick Dempsey. Did I leave anyone out? I hope not because each one brought its own nuance and Valentines perspective to their story. As I mentioned before, there was young love, mature love, unrequited love, no love, even same sex love (you might not see that one coming), but all in all it’s about L-O-V-E and isn’t that what makes the world go round?

Los Angeles has been done over and over, and to be honest the scenery does not play a big part of this film but shots of the locally famous Hollywood Forever Cemetery movie night and the Venice, California canals (Reed’s backyard) are refreshing and new. If you want my opinion, I can honestly say that this is a good film to take your sweetie for a Valentines, so take out your $10.00 admission fee, buy her some candy and make a date night out of it.