I heard about this movie back in its filming stages, and to be honest, I was a bit upset. Based on the premise alone, it felt like a movie that was sort of a rip off of Love, Actually, which is a great movie. So great, it inspired me to write my own several-love-stories-intertwined-with-each-other kind of a film that happens to take place on Valentine’s Day. And whadaya know, these suckers beat me to it!
From what I understand, or remember, without doing too much research, I think this movie got mixed to negative reviews. From the start, many people who have seen Love, Actually can see a similarities from a mile away. But I’m not going to pan the movie for it’s likeness to what could be considered a rom-com classic, but I can pan it for some of the acting, writing and predictability that take place in this film.
The first offensive that I heard many people cry about is the singer Taylor Swift. I’d like to give her credit for being a decent comedic actor for her stint as host to SNL, but I have to be honest, I never watched that episode. And if more honesty is shed, I would guess she wouldn’t be as well known if it wasn’t for the whole Kanye “I’mma let you finish” West. By all means, I’m sure she would’ve found the center stage spotlight on her own, but what’s done is done and I’ve already spent more time than I wanted to discussing her, than the role she actually played in this movie. The role is simple enough, a simple ditzy airhead blonde who is “in love” with her boyfriend who is also named Taylor in real life. That shouldn’t be too hard to play, right? But honestly, I’ve seen this role played better. And I know they plot in the story was played mostly for laughs, it came out as too flat for me and I wouldn’t have complained if their scenes were cut out of the film completely.
Why I feel Love, Actually is superior is due to the depth in character and they way these characters were written. So in contrast, that’s what I feel is missing in Valentine’s Day. Sure, I might be able to relate to these characters, but there was still a sense of believability that lacked. It’s as if this was a movie for a handful of movie stars phoning in their parts. I had to roll my eyes with the airport scene. Again, Love, Actually has been my favorite so far. On a similar note, Love also dealt with the agony of a little boy’s love… and wanting to catch the attention of the apple of his eye. They tried to play it up so you weren’t too sure of whom he was after, but it didn’t take long to figure out his intention and how it would result. Spoiler alert: I guess he had a happy ending.
But since I can’t recall any specific offenses than that, I’ll talk about what I liked.
Unfortunately, I don’t want to spoil it, but I will say I was surprised with the Julia Roberts and Bradley Cooper’s endings. Pleasantly surprised with Julia, and “didn’t see that coming” with Bradley. And that’s a good thing, please keep me guessing. Unlike Ashton, Jessica Alba and Jennifer Garner… Although I wasn’t sure what really was going to happen with Jessica and then… well… that story was resolved.
My friend complained about big stars being named but only showing up for like two minutes… like Queen Latifa. She had a good role, probably would’ve liked to have seen more of her. George Lopez was amusing. The great Shirley McClain was underused, in my opinion.
The high school lovers attempting to “do it” for the first time gave me a good laugh. It was predictable, but in a good way. Meaning, you knew what was going to happen, but then it got funnier after it actually happened.
I enjoyed Anne Hathaway’s performance probably the most. She seemed the most original, but since I’ve been on a “compare it to Love, Actually” kick, I would say she takes the place of the sex-scene stand-ins. Why? Hathaway is an adult phone entertainer, which almost gets her in trouble with her boss (Queen Latifa) but pays off in the end. Her romantic interest is Topher Grace who plays awkward pretty well.
I suppose you can call the climatic scene one of the biggest downers in the film. Most of these characters failing at love (and a chunk of them end up at an Anti-Valentine’s Day party) and having a majorly depressing pity party. This certainly sets the mood for those lovely couples who went to see this movie when it came out. But fortunately, the movie picked it back up and gave everyone what or who they deserved.
I understand that a movie of this caliber only has enough time to develop so many characters and resolve so many plotlines, but for the sake of a good movie, sometimes less is more. I do not hate this movie. But it’s not a movie I would want to own. Not now anyway. Maybe it will grow on me and I can look past the things that bother me and I can see it as its own movie versus a rip off of another movie. And to be fair, it isn’t. If anything, it was inspired by it, as was I when I was getting my concept together. So overall, it’s not a bad movie. It is a romantic comedy for those who like romantic comedies, so rent it first. Don’t set your expectations too high and you shouldn’t be too disappointed.
UPDATE!!!!
I failed to include my extreme like, or maybe even love, that this movie included Joss Stone’s “4 and 20 Hours” which did enhance the scene during which it was played. I want to again repeat, I didn’t think this was a bad movie, just not as great as I thought it might be and not one I would care to add to my collection. Here’s hoping New Year’s Eve is better.
the indoob! network 
Love your last line…
Couple of things not disagreements just comments
-First and foremost HATED IT (in my In Living Color Critic Voice…lol…jk)
-Movies like this are gold in the bank for studios because instead of one film they can schedule it like they are shooting several shorts (sense the stories don’t really intersect too often) and then it is easier to get “named” actors because you offer them high money for a short work week…Now I wouldn’t disagree with any of this, but I think actors essentially parachuting in and out often (but not always) shows up in the performances. With the stiffness of the script I don’t know that it would have made a difference.
-I really liked Taylor Swift in this and agree with you it has been done better, but at least she was really comedically committed to the goofiness of her role.
-Found the virginity losing subplot kind of ackward and the naked guitar scene with the mom gross. It belonged in a different type of comedy to me, like SUPERBAD or something.
– I had very very, VERY low expectations and was dragged to this movie by my wife. Ultimately, (if I am being honest) I think it exceeded whatever biases I had against it…but not by much!!!!
-Oh and I would love to read your script…I am certain it is much better then Valentines Day…
No doubt this movie was probably a popular choice for the weekend it was released, I’m guessing because it was V-Day and all, so of course it made some money. And rom-coms will always make money as long people are going out on dates, or even the rentals, but it’s too early for that. Add a big name… or a bunch… and yeah, you’ll put booties in the seats. But you might be disappointed to find out how short of a scene that star you are looking to see is actually in the movie.
The virgin couple I really liked. Sure, it may have worked better in possibly a rated R movie like Superbad or American Pie, but I felt it fit with everyone else trying to make the holiday special in their own special way.
As for my VDay script, I’m nowhere close to having anything that looks like a script. If anything, it’s still a concept. To add even more, it’s part of a loose trilogy (part 2) and I think part 1 is closer to being written than part 2 is. Part 3 has a long ways to go because I was in the middle of research and got distracted doing too many things at once. I could probably email you later to tell you the concept of the trilogy and the plot of each film. All I’ll say about part 2 is that yes, it does relate to Valentine’s Day and it is what I’d consider and ensemble piece.