Valentine's Day

Kathy Bates (Misery) is a news producer and since it is a slow sports news day, she goes to her number two sports guy, Jamie Foxx (Ray) and tells him that he has to do a Valentine’s Day fluff piece. Jamie’s character hates Valentine’s Day. He hates the expectations and the hype that goes with it, but rather than lose his job he grabs his camera crew and travels throughout the city interviewing people about the phenomenon we know as Valentine’s Day.

One of his first interviews is with a flower shop owner, Ashton Kutcher (That 70’s Show). Through his shop and his friends, we are introduced to a series of people who are all inter-connected in one way or another. For example, Ashton’s character has just proposed to Jessica Alba (Fantastic Four), his female best friend, Jennifer Garner (Alias), is teacher to Bryce Robinson (Four Christmases) who is the grandson to Shirley MacLaine (Sweet Charity) and Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope). One of his drivers, George Lopez (The George Lopez Show) is rear-ended by Eric Dane (Grey’s Anatomy) who is a football player represented by Jessica Biel (7th Heaven) and Queen Latifah (Chicago). You get the picture.

The cast boasts at least two dozen stars and their lives all criss-cross in one way or other. Some are hooking up and some are breaking up and some are making romantic discoveries. You either love Valentine’s Day or hate it. There is no middle ground. This film is a commentary on love, commercialism and valuing the relationships you do have. Sometimes love is just having a good friend to bitch with.

Not every story thread is created equal and sometimes the links are a little stretched. But overall the movie is very entertaining and in some parts I laughed out loud. I was most taken with Ashton Krutcher. His personality just shined in this film. Without relying on pratfalls, stupid jokes, and manic energy bursts, he came off very sweet, sensitive and likable. We need to get him out of those dumb guy roles, he’s a romantic star in the making.

I also found Ann Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married) hilarious as a woman with a questionable second job. She is paired with the under-rated Topher Grace (That 70’s Show) and in her scenes, trying to hide her second job as a phone sex operator, she comes off very funny and a little naughty, too. She has some great scenes with her boss, Queen Latifa who has a freaky side of her own. Even Taylor Swift (Country singer-songwriter) cracked me up in a small cameo role as a love struck teenager. Her acting has a way to go, but her comic timing and commitment is fearless. I’d love to see her do more comedy when she is not so busy being an international pop star.

There are so many people in this film that I can’t mention them all, but if you don’t like one of them, wait a minute and the next one will be along in a minute. It’s is kind of like the cinematic equivalent to speed dating. The film is mostly light, with a little bit of heart and it’s not a bad way to spend an evening. It’s an excellent date movie and family film as well. Like a box of chocolates you’ll easily find something you’ll like. Take a bite and enjoy. Sometimes you just need a little sugar.

Rating: First Run Like a box of chocolates you’ll easily find something you’ll like.