Valentine's Day

Plot: Along with the roses, the dinners, the greeting cards, the singing telegrams and all the other paraphernalia we’re meant to shell out for on Valentine’s Day, there is now the tradition of the Valentine movie, starring an ensemble cast and meant to lift the spirits of those sure that true and everlasting love must exist somewhere, regardless of all the evidence to the contrary.

Review: I was all set to hate this year’s installment, expecting the usual limp drivel along the lines of last year’s “He’s Just Not That Into You”, but then something nice happened: I ended up liking it. Director Garry Marshall has crafted an entertaining bit of fun along the English model of “Love, Actually”. Although, this being a prude American production fearful of lost revenues, his version of the genre does not dare to be as cheeky as your basic Richard Curtis production (no kisses between gay men, no sex before 20), there are enough genuinely funny and thoughtful moments in Katherine Fugate’s screenplay to make the movie worth seeing.

The acting is also mostly well done: Anne Hathaway’s talents as a comedian seem effortless as she plays a struggling actress giving big finish performances in her job as a phone sex worker – audiences may find themselves paying special attention every time her phone rings. And Jessica Biel surprises with physical comedy not evident in her previous work in bland TV series and other unenthusiastic projects.