Tags
2010's, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Bradley Cooper, Bryce Robinson, Carter Jenkins, Emma Roberts, Eric Dane, Garry Marshall, George Lopez, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Julia Roberts, Kathy Bates, Patrick Dempsey, Queen Latifah, Romantic Comedy, Shirley MacLaine, Taylor Lautner, Taylor Swift, Topher Grace, Valentine's Day
Film Title
Valentine’s Day
Director
Garry Marshall
Starring
- Jessica Alba as Morley Clarkson
- Kathy Bates as Susan Moralez
- Jessica Biel as Kara Monahan
- Bradley Cooper as Holden Wilson
- Eric Dane as Sean Jackson
- Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Harrison Copeland
- Hector Elizondo as Edgar Paddington
- Jamie Foxx as Kelvin Moore
- Jennifer Garner as Julia Fitzpatrick
- Topher Grace as Jason Morris
- Anne Hathaway as Liz Curran
- Carter Jenkins as Alex
- Ashton Kutcher as Reed Bennett
- Queen Latifah as Paula Thomas
- Taylor Lautner as Willy Harrington
- George Lopez as Alphonso Rodriguez
- Shirley MacLaine as Estelle Paddington
- Emma Roberts as Grace Smart
- Julia Roberts as Capt. Kate Hazeltine
- Bryce Robinson as Edison
- Taylor Swift as Felicia
I was saddened yesterday to read of Garry Marshall’s death. He was a prolific director, producer and writer, who had a long and interesting career. One area he really succeeded in was directing romantic comedies and that is why I am going to review the all-star Valentine’s Day. I was planning to review this film anyway, but I will dedicate it to Garry Marshall now due to his passing. Anyway, back to the review.
Over the course of Valentine’s Day, the love lives of many residents is explored. Varying from newfound attraction to older couples, blinded love and pining, love seems to be everywhere in this set of interlocking stories. Good-hearted florist Reed Bennett proposes to his pretty girlfriend Morley, who accepts. The day seems to be going amazing for him, yet he soon sees that Morley is having doubts about marriage. His friends Alphonso and schoolteacher Julia stay quiet but aren’t surprised when Morley calls it off as they saw that the couple wasn’t ideally suited. Julia is having a relationship with the dashing Dr. Harrison Copeland, yet he is stringing her along because he is already married which Julia is unaware of. Reed discovers this and wants to help Julia, making him acknowledge that he has harboured feelings for his good friend for a while. Then we have Julia’s other friend publicist Kara, who despises the romantic day due to an unlucky history in love. Yet this could be changed by the equally cynical sports reporter Kelvin Moore, who has been coerced into doing a special on the importance of the day. Older couple Estelle and Edgar Paddington have been married for a long time, but something from the past is bothering Estelle as they contemplate renewing their vows. Kate Hazeltine, an army captain shares a flight with affable Holden and the two become friendly as she tells him that she is returning for one day to see someone special. And there are many more stories that are too many to document because this review would become extremely long-winded otherwise.
Garry Marshall brings his expertise to this sweet and fluffy film. This kind of movie was his bread and butter and his considerable love for the genre is very much apparent. I can’t really fault his direction here as it is well done, though other parts of the film aren’t as assured as Marshall’s direction. Each of these stories links to the next one in some strange way or another, some turning out not like you’d expect. Like with any movie containing an ensemble cast and multiple tales, certain stories are going to rise above others in terms of enjoyment. The best way to describe Valentine’s Day is as a big box of ribbon wrapped chocolates that is full to the brim with sweetness and delight, yet you remember some of the flavours more than others. The Taylor Swift/Taylor Lautner story could have been cut as it contributes nothing whatsoever to the story and the little boy trying to impress his sweetheart feels a bit too similar to one of the links in Love Actually. Then we have a nice story with Julia Roberts and Bradley Cooper talking on a flight back to Los Angeles that isn’t as clichéd as one would originally think. Anyone going into Valentine’s Day thinking it’s going to be something new will be mistaken because the formula of the film is familiar. Yet this isn’t to do the film down, it’s just how many romantic comedies have a story that is generic and been done before? It’s a genre that thrives on stories you’ve seen before and Valentine’s Day is no different in that respect. It’s a surprisingly sweet and funny experience actually and not as bad as many people have made the film out to be. I will admit I can be a sucker for romantic comedies sometimes so my opinion could be biased, but I enjoyed this film, even if the film is guilty of being over busy.
And following on about the film being busy, you have to say that the cast is one attractive bunch of stars. Be prepared readers, it may take some time talking about his massive cast. Ashton Kutcher is probably the person seen the most in Valentine’s Day and he has a real exuberance that shines through in an endearing way. A natural and sweet performance from Jennifer Garner is a nicely cast part, with plenty of humour and heart. Jessica Biel is particularly funny as a woman who holds a I hate Valentine’s Party, but secretly wants some romance in her life that has been elusive so far. Alongside Biel in the humour department there is an amusing Jamie Foxx. Old pros Shirley MacLaine and Hector Elizondo bring warmth and experience to their roles as an older couple having to deal with feelings they weren’t sure of. Anne Hathaway and Topher Grace have good chemistry as a new couple with a hitch, she moonlights as a phone sex operator to pay off bills. Leading to much confusion, the two stars have fun and spark off each other well as they navigate the challenges of love.
Julia Roberts, who is already adept at romantic comedy, is luminous along with Bradley Cooper, in an amiable and funny vignette. Eric Dane and George Lopez fare pretty well with the material they are given. Emma Roberts and Carter Jenkins make their tale funny and a little relatable as they play two students planning to have sex for the first time. Trouble is, it doesn’t go to plan leading to an amusing scene of Jenkins preparing to serenade his beloved wearing nothing but a guitar and being caught by her mother. Kathy Bates is unfortunately reduced to nothing but a cameo which is annoying considering how good Bates is as an actress. The same goes for Queen Latifah who is wasted and not given any opportunity to shine. On the negative side of casting we have Jessica Alba, who despite her beauty, is more than a little bland in her delivery. Young Bruce Robinson is endearing enough as the enamoured young boy wanting to impress a girl he has a crush on. The problem is the story is pretty much a non-starter that never comes to life. Patrick Dempsey plays a love rat with some smoothness that starts to vanish once he’s found out. Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner are pretty poor as a love struck young couple and their story feels like it could have been left on the cutting room floor.
It’s not the best romantic comedy but it’s far from the worst, and Valentine’s Day displays the flair and entertainment value that Garry Marshall had for this sort of thing that will be missed within the genre. Rest in Peace Garry Marshall, may your great spirit live on through your wonderful work.
Richard said:
It’s a nice film just to relax on the sofa to. I agree, the Taylor/Taylor romance was a bit shoddy, the time could have been used more wisely on other aspects of the film.
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vinnieh said:
Oh yes, I chilled out with some ice cream watching this film. And I thought it was right to review it in tribute to Garry Marshall.
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Richard said:
Have you seen Mother’s Day? I have seen New Year’s Eve but not the latest one.
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vinnieh said:
I haven’t seen either Mother’s Day or New Year’s Eve. Will get around to them soon. By the way, did you check out my man crush post? Would like to hear your take.
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beetleypete said:
I have never seen this film, V. Rom-coms and Julia Roberts both tend to turn me off.
A nice tribute to the director from you though. Sad to lose more talent from the industry.
Best wishes, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
I felt it right to do something as a tribute to him. It’s always sad to lose people in the industry, this year has been particularly bad.
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Keith said:
Don’t hate me for this, but I absolutely hated this movie. I pretty much set their stonefaced through the entire thing. I guess I am an old stick in the mud.;)
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vinnieh said:
Keith, I could never hate you. We all have differing opinions on movies and that’s why it’s fun.
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Keith said:
You are so right.
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vinnieh said:
There’d be no point in blogging about movies if everyone agreed all the time.
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Damien Riley said:
Great review. I agree it’s not the worst romantic comedy but it doesn’t measure up in the slightest to ‘Love Actually.’ I think it could be a good date movie.
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vinnieh said:
A date movie sounds like a good description for this movie.
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vanbytheriver said:
He will be surely missed. There had to be good reason that so many stars wanted to be in his films. 💘
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vinnieh said:
Exactly, you don’t just simply have half the actors in Hollywood in your film if you’re not talented or well respected.
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ninvoid99 said:
I never liked this film. Ashton Kutcher alone just makes me want to stay away from it but I did try to watch it and it was just bland and saccharine for me. New Year’s Eve was much worse as I remember someone asked 5 people you wanted to kill in that film. Kutcher was in the list as was Lea Michelle, Katherine Heigl, and Ryan Seacrest, twice because he’s evil. Yet in all seriousness. I don’t want to remember Garry Marshall for those films. I want to remember him for Overboard, Pretty Woman, and giving us Anne Hathaway. He will rest in peace while I hope he’s chatting away with Abbas Kiarostami and Michael Cimino right now.
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vinnieh said:
I thought the last sentence of your comment was really nice, may he rest in peace. I can’t believe how many talented people have left us this year.
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emmakwall said:
Great review Vinster, never seen this but I’d watch it for easy viewing! 🙂
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vinnieh said:
It’s good for a sweet and romantic night.
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The Telltale Mind said:
I never really got into these romantic comedy ensembles as I felt they were trying to copy Love Actually a little too hard. That being said, it doesn’t sound too bad.
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vinnieh said:
You can see that Love Actually influenced this, but it’s sweet fun all the same.
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fragglerocking said:
I’m not a rom com kinda person, but that’s a great cast.Still I’ll give this one a miss. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Each to their own, I can be something of a sucker for romance.
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fragglerocking said:
I know 😉
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Jay said:
I can’t hate anything he does. I know these big ensemble things are a little wonky but I still find them fun.
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vinnieh said:
I think that every ensemble is going to have weak links. It would be impossible to juggle all of the stories and make them all equally excellent.
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Caz said:
Totally spot on when you said it’s not the best but also not the worst romantic comedy, it really does have some charm to it. Plus it has Julia Roberts 🙂
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vinnieh said:
I’ve seen much worse from the romantic comedy genre. Granted, not all the stories worked here, but there was sparks of fun to be found in parts. And of course Julia Roberts is a goddess.
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Caz said:
The outtake thing at the end during the credits ❤ great moment!
I liked Cooper's story as well as totally wasn't expecting that one!
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vinnieh said:
I like when movies have those at the end of them. I must say quite a few of the stories had turns I wasn’t expecting.
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Caz said:
Yeah it wasn’t massively predictable either which was a good thing.
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vinnieh said:
I don’t mind sometimes when things are predictable, but I enjoy when the film pulls the rug out from under me. Most of all I liked the humour in the film.
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vinnieh said:
Which part did you find the funniest?
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Caz said:
Think it has to be Anne Hathaway’s when you find out what she does on her phone 😂
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vinnieh said:
That was pretty funny, especially when the other woman passes her and wonders what on earth she’s talking about. I found when the guy is preparing to serenade his girlfriend and her mum walks in, talk about awkward yet funny.
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Caz said:
Ahh yeah everything he said or did made it even worse haha
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vinnieh said:
Haha, too funny. The mum was like “Don’t come any closer”.
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