Valentine's Day

The cameos don't save the day

Reviewed by B. K. Grant

Funny in some spots, poignant in others, ‘Valentine’s Day’ overflows with appearances by the famous and the not-so. The anchors of this two-hour montage are the characters of Jennifer Garner and Ashton Kutcher, good friends and florists in a thriving Los Angeles shop. Their actions are interwoven with the lives and loves of several others in the rambling story line.

A half dozen or so scenarios simultaneously compete for attention, all the while neglecting to provide enough meat and cooking time in which to sink one's teeth. Fans of Grey’s Anatomy might enjoy McDreamy & McSteamy, aka Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane in their hunky, albeit shallow rolls. In a bright spot, good ol’ favs Hector Elizondo and Shirley MacLaine graciously succeed as an elderly couple about to renew their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Directed by Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman 1990, My Best Friend’s Wedding 1997), this PG-13 flick is lucky to have greats Julia Roberts and Kathy Bates stopping by for brief ‘walk-ons’. Anne Hathaway’s admirable performance draws a few chuckles; and although minor rolls, the contributions of Bradley Cooper and Queen Latifah are worthy.

Ironically, the out-takes during the credits were good for a few hearty guffaws. While there was scattered applause in the theater, I suggest waiting for the DVD rental in lieu of paying the cinema price.