“A BOX WITH TOO MANY CANDIES”
Starring: Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane. Patrick Dempsey. Hector Elizondo. Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah. Taylor Lautner. George Lopez. Shirley MacLaine. Emma Roberts. Julia Roberts. Taylor Swift
Directed by: Garry Marshall
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sexual material and brief partial nudity.
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Release Date: February 12, 2010
By John Delia
A chick flick, Valentine’s Day opens on the very weekend of the title’s romantic holiday. Cram filled with name actors, the movie beckons lovers to not only revisit their own relationships, but also see some of their favorite stars on the big screen. Although it is a fun watch, I found it unfulfilling.
The film initially centers on Reed (Kutcher), a flower shop owner who on the biggest day of his year (Valentine’s Day), asks his girlfriend to marry him. This one happening initiates a chain of events that in some way becomes the thread that connects a multitude of relationships leading to various outcomes. There are romantic interludes, a youngster’s first crush, a senior’s misunderstanding, teen couple’s attempt at hooking up, and many more all interconnecting along the way to a predictable ending.
I found the film sentimental, comical at times and yet a little too predictable. Don’t get me wrong, the movie is enjoyable to watch, especially because the acting is good for the most part and the interconnecting storyline does work. But that said, the affairs the film depicts bothered me because I was able to figure out each of the outcomes way prior to their culmination.
Director Garry Marshall films what he does best, relationship movies that deliver romance, situation comedy and some pathos for realism. However, working with this much talent was a little overboard. Too much becomes too much, this burgeoning cast that tries to outdo each other and becomes more about showcasing talent than providing a memorable story. And, it looked like Marshall didn’t know how to close the circle without adding more and more stories that caused moderate confusion.
The film is rated PG-13 for some sexual material and brief partial nudity. Oh, and there’s enough eye-candy in this one guys so you won’t get bored when you take your significant other to see the film.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A romantic movie made up of rehashed stories. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)
Stick around after the film and watch the credits to see Ashton Kutcher get PUNKED.
FEATURED BIO FROM THE FILM:
Bradley Cooper has just come off the ride of his life with The Hangover, a film that took the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture- Musical or Comedy and in Valentine’s Day he lends a shoulder to Julia Roberts. His film list has
gown to 32 with five others in production. Cooper has been an ‘overnight sensation’ with films like The Rocker, New York I Love You, Yes Man AND All About Steve . Soon to be seen in The A-Team with Liam Neeson and Jessica Biel, his dance card has all the right actors for a possible run at the A-List.
Your Entertainment Ticket interviewed Cooper when he was touring on behalf of The Hangover. For a fun interview click on the following URL or copy paste it in your web browser:  https://yeticket.com/2009/05/bradley-cooper-the-hangover-interview-with-john-delia/