The Online Reflector

“Valentine’s Day” was as cliché as its name, but what more could you expect from a romantic comedy coming out right before the holiday of love and commercialism? Though cliché, it was entertaining, comedic, full of a mostly good cast and had at least one surprise.
“Valentine’s Day” mocked the style of “Love Actually” and “He’s Just Not That Into You” with its interconnecting love stories. Quality wise, it fell somewhere in between with “Love Actually” being the best.

It is a great date movie, which would probably be why the first two showings I tried to attend last Friday night were sold out. Ladies, there is a ton of eye candy, including Holden (Bradley Cooper), Willy (Taylor Lautner) and Dr. Harrison Copeland and Sean Jackson played by Grey’s Anatomy’s favorite doctors Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane, respectively.

Also, gentlemen, if you’re getting forced to go, look on the bright side. There is Julia Fitzpatrick (Jennifer Garner) and Felicia (Taylor Swift).

This movie follows the characters through Valentine’s Day in L.A. You see makeups and breakups all brought on by the pressures of the one day of the year that inspires the romantics and not so romantics to do or be something special.

It goes all the way from elementary school romances to an old couple, Estelle (Shirley MacLaine) and Edgar (Hector Elizondo) ready to renew their vows. The biggest surprises come from the story lines of Bradley Cooper and Eric Dane and the biggest tear-jerker will be a result of Captain Kate Hazeltine (Julia Roberts).

Some people would conclude that with a cast  bombarded with stars such as this one, there isn’t enough time to get to know any characters or their stories, but this was not the case. I wasn’t once confused, and I had plenty of time to fall in love with a majority of the characters played by  the cast members, especially Holden, Kelvin Moore (Jamie Foxx) and  florist Reed Bennett (Ashton Kutcher).

Also, the movie has the cutest kid ever, Edison (Bryce Robinson) who pays 13 dollars to send a dozen roses and a card to the love of his life. However, the movie could have done without some stories, such as the high school romance between Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner, which seems like it might have just been an attempt to get more young viewers.

Since the cast list is full of people that we all know and love, it goes without saying that they for the most part did an amazing job. Director Garry Marshall did a good job with casting. Quirky and lovable Taylor Swift, however, should stick to singing. She is bound to have much more success that way.

The writer, Katherine Fugate, had in a few low blows about Indiana, which will surely amuse our audience. These were quotes such as, “He’s from Indiana. The only holiday they celebrate is love your cousin day,” which referred to Jason (Topher Grace), who also later said “I’m from Muncie, Indiana. The craziest thing I ever did was leave Muncie, Indiana.”

Overall if you’re an avid romantic-comedy watcher, then this movie is well worth a watch. There are plenty of good laughs and sweet moments. I think it’s worth a trip to the theater, but if you’re only a little bit curious then wait for it to go to the dollar theatre or until you can rent it.