Weekly Review -- That ole devil called love

Valentine's Day (2010) -- "We live in a cynical world", proclaimed Jerry Maguire boldly in 1996. If Mr. Maguire could have hopped through time and landed in 2010, he may have wanted to follow up this statement with a stiff drink. The fourteen years since have hardened the world we inhabit, making it a haven not just for cynicism, but for somber pessimism, the kind that could only have grown out of the very real and, frankly, very depressing changes that we have weathered. Enter Garry Marshall's Valentine's Day, a delectable cinematic treat void of politics, economy and various other stress-exacerbating aspects of everyday life, one that is all about the cozy, cuddly, glowing feeling of -- you guessed it -- luurve.

The story follows a group of loved-up and lovelorn Angelenos on V-Day, including newly engaged florist Reed (Ashton Kutcher), his fiancée Morley (Jessica Alba), Reed's best friend Julia (Jennifer Garner), NFL star Sean Jackson (Eric Dane) and jaded sports reporter Kelvin (Jamie Foxx). As the day progresses, their lives intertwine in a not-so-cutesy and rather charming way, leading to very interesting outcomes in each situation...

Right off the bat, I have to say that I do not understand the amount of criticism being directed toward this film. Yes, some stories are too underdeveloped for the audience to become invested in -- Liz (Anne Hathaway) and Jason's (Topher Grace) tale comes to mind -- and some characters, like Paula (Queen Latifah), seem to be there merely to give momentum, without a real purpose in the context. Yes, you also get a plethora of clichés associated with the title holiday. With all the heart-shaped candy boxes, angelic children, colors and flowers galore, you really have to make sure that your blood sugar does not go through the roof while you are watching this romcom. The thing is, Valentine's Day is the kind of movie whose appeal lies in its lack of pretense and its schmaltz overload. What you see is exactly what you get -- accounts of love in their sappiest, most whimsical form. As far as ensemble romances go, it is not nearly as artfully sophisticated as Paris, je t'aime or as blissfully sentimental as Love Actually, but it offers some good lines and laughs, as well as a few truly poignant stories, with two in particular, which I do not intend to reveal and spoil for you. You will have to see the film for yourself.

The cast does well in their roles and, while the screenplay never really explores uncharted territory, it is the chemistry between the actors that renders the proceedings a joy to watch. Bradley Cooper, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine and Hector Elizondo give the best performances, while Ashton Kutcher and Jennifer Garner share playful sparks, making me wish they would carry their own project sometime in the future. Taylor Swift is also great in her debut as a ditzy high schooler, as is Taylor Lautner, who plays her equally vapid boyfriend.

Valentine's Day is better than many critics would lead you to believe. It is a romance wrapped in an attractive package and a comedy aimed at the most elusive of emotions. You would have to be an extremely fatalistic individual not to like at least one aspect of it, be it the cast, the acting, the jokes or heck, the aforementioned clichés. See it and enjoy.

8/10

EDIT: At the time of editing this review, it has come to my attention that a sequel, New Year's Eve, is set to be released in 2011. Something tells me that Santa will be working overtime...