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Valentine’s Day Review
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So I went into Valentine’s Day thinking that it would be some sort of fondue-like, incestuous mixture of Love Actually and He’s Just Not That Into You and I was partly right, but also very pleasantly surprised. It’s not hard to please a hopeless romantic, chick-flick loving gal like myself, but since I have probably seen almost every single girly movie known to man (and woman), I have developed a keen sense of discretion.
So here’s my side by side comparison of similarities, for both of those, without giving too much away…
| Love Actually | Valentine’s Day |
|---|---|
| There are, at most, six degrees of separation throughout the entire cast | There are, at most, six degrees of separation throughout the entire cast |
| Adorable small boy who’s hopelessly in love | Adorable small boy who’s hopelessly in love |
| Large cast of British actors | Large cast of American actors |
| A variety of relationships are shown throughout the film | A variety of relationships are shown throughout the film |
| A Prime Minister makes a big important speech, but it’s really about love | A football player, clearly our equivalent to a prime minister, makes a big important speech, but it’s really about love |
| Someone runs past security at the airport | Someone runs past security at the airport |
| Frequent references to British/London culture | Frequent references to American/L.A. culture |
| A musician ties the movie together | A radio D.J. ties the movie together |
| He’s Just Not that Into You | Valentine’s Day |
|---|---|
| There are, at most, six degrees of separation throughout the entire cast | There are, at most, six degrees of separation throughout the entire cast |
| Large cast of American actors | Large cast of American actors |
| Bradley Cooper | Bradley Cooper |
| Cheesy proposal | Cheesy proposal |
| People who weren’t originally together end up together | People who weren’t originally together end up together |
| Cynical people are forced to get all mushy | Cynical people are forced to get all mushy |
| Cheating husband ends up alone; boohoo | Cheating husband ends up alone; boohoo |
Now, let me tell you about what makes Valentine’s Day different, unique, and simply wonderful. Unlike Love Actually or He’s Just Not that Into You, the movie doesn’t give away or explain the six degrees of separation until it nears its very end. While that leaves you wondering at first about how it all makes sense in the big picture, it is absolutely wonderful when you do find out.
The acting combines some of the best and hottest in Hollywood and the concept portrays Los Angeles as the city of romance, which is rare in films. Overall, if you can casually ignore how annoying both of the Taylors are, then the move is quite enjoyable. Then again, if you’re cynical and bitter this Valentine’s Day, I wouldn’t dive right into this particular film.
On a final note, watch out for the Julia Roberts blooper at the end. Easily, the best line in the film.