With a handful of award-winning actors leading Valentine's Day, it's no wonder that it broke records Valentine's Day weekend by raking in 52 million dollars. Although the film got well-deserved mixed reviews, it was still a hit film that will be sure to invite itself back every Valentine's Day.
Love Actually is a romantic-comedy that broke tradition by having multiple love stories within one film. Valentine's Day steals this concept, but sets the scene in Los Angeles and has some twists, some cheese, and a little bit of prediction. However, it's still worth seeing, because the feel-good feeling is worth some bad acting and accurate guessing of the ending.
Taylor Swift made her acting debut in this film as a high school teenager caught up in puppy love, with her real-life beau at the time, Taylor Lautner. Although it may have been a cute idea to cast the all American girl, it was a mistake with her lack of acting credibility. Although she was supposed to play a ditz, her acting made the character even worse and so annoying that it was hard not to cringe. The scenario for the two young love birds didn't add any substance to the film, but simply took a few minutes off my life.
Other actors were more charming, like Ashton Kutcher, who plays a hopeless romantic and owns a flower business. Although he purposes to his girlfriend (Jessica Alba), the direction of their relationship is predictable right from the opening credits.
Topher Grace and Anne Hathaway play a couple in a new-ish relationship that gets off to a rocky start from a little secret Hathway's character has. Out of all the love stories, this one's the most endearing and makes you root for them the most throughout the film.
Other notable names in the film include Kathy Bates, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper (he finally plays a nice guy), Hector Elizondo, Eric Dane (still looks McSteamy in the film), Jamie Foxx, Topher Grace, Queen Latifa, and Emma Roberts.
For those of us who hate Valentine's Day, there's always Jessica Biel's character to relate to--she works in PR and hates celebrating love, marking the holiday by having an annual party that bashes Valentine's Day. She's neurotic and has enough pity for herself to make you feel annoyed at times, but her acting helps add to the film where Taylor Swift lacked. Besides, where else can you see a Valentine's Day heart pinata get bashed?
Garry Marshall was clearly trying to make Valentine's Day a lighthearted comedy that had a bit of fun, with some twists involved. The surprises keep the story moving at a perfect pace and help make it a movie you can take seriously, even with a few mishaps involved.
Katie Cervantes
Live OC Magazine
www.LIVEOCMAG.com
