Love, American Style
Valentine's Day
Review by Ross Anthony

It's a warm, fuzzy, fluffy, entertaining film. With so many lovers and lovees, this film, filled with celebrity names and faces, does a pretty good job of integrating its many affairs from high school seniors to senior citizens. Of course, some of the story lines fall prey to romantic cliché, but some don't. In fact, the kicker to one of the film's most teased story lines hits with a surprise punch to the heart. I didn't see it coming, but when it did, it tugged hard at my heartstrings. Very nicely done. Unfortunately, this spinning yarn begins to wobble somewhat clumsily along the long homestretch to the conclusion. In an attempt to stay tight, the coincidences begin to mount. Also in some instances, editors indulge the film a few light moments of comedy where a more realistic melancholy would have given the production greater overall value. That said, in most instances the comedy works. This is a likeable fun film about romance. In fact, with a few tweaks here and there, it could easily be an A film -- even at its healthy duration.

Here's a quote from prolific director Garry Marshall, "I don't do explosions. Two people in a room -- I can do."

Overall a B+, but with a nice sprinkling of touching A moments.

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --


  • Valentine's Day. Copyright © 2010.
  • Starring Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, Eric Dane, Hector Elizondo, Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Foxx. Directed by Garry Marshall. Screenplay by Katherine Fugate, Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein. Produced by Mike Karz, Wayne Rice at Warner Bros.

Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4)


chili4 special olympians
power5 ra hforh radiop
Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Thursday, 11-Feb-2010 19:55:38 PST