Who's Playing Who?

Ashton Kutche George Lopez Jennifer Garner Jessica Alba Kathy Bates Jessica Biel Bradley Cooper Eric Dane Patrick Dempsey Hector Elizondo Shirley MacLaine Jamie Foxx Topher Grace Anne Hathaway Carter Jenkins Queen Latifah Taylor Lautner Emma Roberts Julia Roberts Bryce Robinson Taylor Swift Matthew Walker

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Reed Bennett Alphonso Julia Fitzpatrick Morley Clarkson Susan Kara Monahan Holden Sean Jackson Dr Harrison Copeland Edgar Estelle Kelvin Moore Jason Liz Alex Paula Thomas Willy Grace Cpt Kate Hazeltine Edison Felicia Greg Gilkins

What Are The Critics Saying?

"The script is remarkably tight: and hugely contrived; in the way it draws these people together to tell each little story as a self-contained rom-com. With an enormous ensemble cast and more intertwined plots than you can count, this fluffy concoction is shamelessly sentimental and silly, and yet it's also an undemanding crowd-pleaser." Rich Cline SHADOWS ON THE WALL "It is a pleasant, undemanding movie that takes place over 18 hours on V-Day. Given veteran MacLaine and newbie Swift, the actor demographics make this a movie that appeals equally to grandparents and grandchildren: not to mention the sandwich generation in between." Carrie Rickey PHILADELPHIA ENQUIRER "Garry Marshall delivers a well-balanced romantic comedy that delivers the laughs and a classic Shirley MaClain scene." Kevin McCarthy BDK MOVIE REVIEWS 'A perfect date movie with more stars than script appeal, Valentine's Day reminds us that the gift of love means different things to different people. The narrative centres on the activities of Ashton Kutcher's Reed Bennett, who runs a busy LA flower shop. For those who are easy to please and looking for a non-demanding ode to love that is as sweet as the candy, they won't be disappointed." Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE

"It has a lot in common with Love Actually, but where the British film was perhaps darker in tone and broader in scope, Valentine's Day has no pretensions of being anything other than a crowd-pleasing, light romantic comedy. There are plenty of genuinely funny and heart-warming moments to entertain and inspire. Just like a surprise box of chocolates, Valentine's Day is mostly delicious, even if it may leave some in the audience wanting more." Tiana Stefanic FILMINK "It accomplishes what it sets out to do. That is, it puts a smile on your face and leaves you reaching for the hand of your significant other. Sweet, fluffy 'Valentine's Day' a date-night winner. "Valentine's Day" manages to overcome its flaws and become a charming love letter to love itself." Mike Scott THE TIMES-PICAYUNE "Like most Garry Marshall films, "Valentine's Day" is warm and pleasant and full of nice people. The whole key with Marshall is in finding material suited to this inevitable message. The good news is that with "Valentine's Day," he finds a pretty good match. The running time is 125 minutes, a lot for a romantic comedy, but the minutes fly by." Mick LaSalle SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "Despite being contrived and predictable, this crowd-pleaser is a perfect date movie for the under-35 age group. The movie cuts across generations from a childhood crush to teenage angst and old age in showing the sweet and messy sides of either approaching or avoiding love. The actors are willing to go out on a limb and make fools of themselves in embarrassing situations. The movie is full of surprises, concluding with the requisite Hollywood happy ending. Be sure to stay for the very funny blooper outtakes that play over the end credits." Keith Cohen ENTERTAINMENT SPECTRUM

The Making Of Valentines Day If you're happily in love, Valentine’s Day is a day of hearts and flowers, romance and sentiment. If you're among those who are unlucky in love, it's just another day. 1995 Valentine Davies Award winner Director Garry Marshall, who successfully captured the many facets of love in some of the screen’s biggest romantic comedy hits, says, "Some people think Valentine’s Day is the best thing and others try to block it out. It means different things to different people. The other holidays are all clearer. Christmas, we decorate a tree, you give me a present, we sing nice songs, go home, go to bed. New Year’s Eve, you drink, you kiss at 12 o'clock, sing Auld Lang Syne and cry, go home, go to bed. That’s simple. Got it. Arbor Day: not the biggest holiday, but getting bigger because we’re all 'going green.' But Valentine’s Day is vague. It’s a hard holiday to define because love is so hard to define and that’s why it makes for a good story. Why not do a romantic comedy about the day we’re all concentrated on romance, and that’s Valentine’s Day." Seen through the eyes of a multigenerational cast of characters, Marshalls film threads its way through a variety of relationships: from first dates to longtime commitments, from young crushes to old flames, and from perpetual singles to unrequited loves. To tell the interconnecting stories, the film brings together one of the largest all-star ensembles ever assembled in one film, including three Garry Marshall veterans: Julia Roberts ("Pretty Woman" & "Runaway Bride"), Anne Hathaway ("The Princess Diaries I & II") and Hector Elizondo ("Runaway Bride" & ""The Princess Diaries I & II"); as well as Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, Taylor Lautner, George Lopez, Shirley MacLaine, Emma Roberts, and making her bigscreen debut, Taylor Swift. Producer Mike Karz remarked, "We felt very fortunate to have such an extraordinary cast. But the fact that we were able to have this level of actors in the film is really a tribute to Garry Marshall and his reputation and skill. He is such a great leader and a brilliant comedian, which has been proven over and over again for decades. He is a genuinely funny guy who just knows how to deliver a joke. But, more importantly, he knows how to deliver a story." "In order for any film to get made, the planets have to align," producer Wayne Rice adds. "Certainly a lot of planets aligned for us to make this movie with such a remarkable roster of talent." Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway both count "Valentine’s Day" as their third collaboration with Marshall, including their breakthrough roles in "Pretty Woman" and "The Princess Diaries", respectively. They agree that there are many reasons actors relish working with the famed director. "I’ve gotten to work on some wonderful films, but there’s nothing like a Garry Marshall movie," says Hathaway. "He’s generous and sensitive and fun, and he’s a director you can trust. He’s a passionate filmmaker; he’s invested in every take and he works with you to craft a beautiful p erformance." Roberts observes, "All Garry wants to do is tell a great story and make people laugh, and he’s masterful at it." The chance to work with the director was also a major attraction for the actors teaming with him for the first time. "Garry Marshall is a craftsman, and the opportunity to work with someone who can elevate your game and you can learn from: you don’t pass those opportunities up," states Ashton Kutcher. Bradley Cooper adds, "When I heard Garry would be at the helm, I jumped in with both feet. He’s the perfect choice to direct this kind of movie." "He is the king of romantic comedy," 2002 Golden Globe winner Jennifer Garner ("Alias") attests, "so it was a no-brainer for everyone in the cast. We all wanted to be in there." Chart-topping recording artist and 2010 GRAMMY Award winner for Best: Album of the Year ("Fearless"), Country Album ("Fearless"), Country Song ("White Horse") and Female Country Vocal Performance ("White Horse") Taylor Swift, who makes her film acting debut in "Valentine’s Day", says, "It’s amazing to be a part of something with so many names I’ve admired, but my favorite name has to be Garry Marshall. I was so excited to get to work with him. He’s charming and funny, and he obviously knows how to make a great movie. And he took the time and effort to incorporate our mutual lucky number 13 into every single one of my scenes, which was awesome. I’ll never forget that." In fact, when asked what attracted them to the project, all the actors had one answer in common: Garry Marshall. However, before any of the cast was in place, what first drew Marshall to the film was the original screenplay, written by Katherine Fugate. Marshall recalls, "Mike Karz and Wayne Rice told me they had a movie they wanted to make with me. They said, 'It’s a love story; you do those things.' Marshall (TV'S "Chicago Hope") read the script, liked it and said, "Let’s go." Fugate (creator of TV's "Army Wives") says that she created the interwoven stories in the screenplay "to show how love was approached from different angles and different generations; from the unjaded 10 year old boy with his first crush, to the thirtysomethings dealing with their relationship, or lack thereof, all the way to the older married couple looking back at the journey of love they have taken together. Love also takes on many different faces that go beyond romance, but at the end of the day, love always brings us back to what is most important in life." Screenwriting partners Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, who recently demonstrated their knack for ensemble comedy with the hit "He’s Just Not That Into You", helped develop the story. "When we met with Garry and the producers, we were all interested in having the film cover a lot of perspectives, especially in capturing the different feelings people have about this holiday," says Silverstein ("Never Been Kissed"). Bringing another age group into the already multigenerational story, Kohn and Silverstein also recognized the importance of including a teenage romantic angle. "When you’re a teenager, there are a lot of firsts when it comes to love and romance," Kohn says, "but it’s not something you typically think of with regard to Valentine’s Day. We wanted to make sure that the film had something that could speak to almost anybody." Marshall states that "Valentine’s Day" covers "various types of relationships, and I think they all work very well because all our actors were so good. The most important thing was finding the right chemistry. Nobody can define it, but the audience knows when it’s there. The great actors and actresses can create it: and we certainly had a great cast." The film starts out on a romantic note between Reed Bennett, played by Ashton Kutcher ("The Guardian"), and his girlfriend Morley, played by Jessica Alba ("Sin City"). Morley awakes as Reed is attempting to place a diamond ring on her finger, only to find her clutching her Blackberry. "I don’t know if he’s hopeless, but he is definitely a romantic," says Kutcher. Reed is the owner of Siena Bouquet, a flower shop and café, which is the eye of the storm on the day devoted to expressions of love. "It’s no accident that Reed works at a flower shop, which is a common denominator on Valentine’s Day," says Rice. Rice explained that the Siena Bouquet "was the ideal epicenter for our story." "A florist knows everything," Kutcher asserts. "He knows who’s dating; he knows who’s sick; he knows who’s cheating. He’s got the inside scoop because of the notes and messages that are sent with the flowers." George Lopez appears as Alphonso, Reed’s right-hand man at Siena Bouquet and the voice of reason in his personal life. "Alphonso is happily married and more grounded," says Lopez, "so Reed looks to him for advice, but he doesn’t really need Alphonso to give him the answers. He knows what he should do." Reed's best friend, Julia Fitzpatrick is played by Jennifer Garner. "Julia has not had a boyfriend in a long time and she is finally in love," says Garner. "She wakes up on Valentine’s Day feeling like the happiest person in the world, but as the day goes on, her heart goes through some definite ups and downs. This film celebrates the day devoted to love: both winning and losing, and having and not having." Patrick Dempsey, who plays the new love of Julia’s life, Dr Harrison Copeland, counters, "I think Valentine’s Day is actually a very unromantic day because you can’t really force romance. It just has to happen naturally. There is so much pressure to make that day special and have a good time, it’s virtually impossible to have one." "Valentine's Day" isn't just for the young: it's also for the young at heart. Grandparents Estelle and Edgar are played by veteran stars Shirley MacLaine and Hector Elizondo. Unlike her onscreen husband, MacLaine had never before worked with Garry Marshall, although they had known each other for years. "You can’t understand much of anything he’s saying," she teases, "but if you’re on a good emotional and mental track with him, you know where he’s going." "It’s a process to figure out what he’s saying, but somehow it all works out," says Elizondo, a regular Garry Marshall cast member, who has been seen in all of the director’s features to date. "Whether I’m available or not, he hunts me down." "I always have to have Hector," Marshall confirmed. Estelle and Edgar have been together for more than fifty years and have celebrated many Valentine’s Days, but this one brings some surprising revelations that test their marriage. "All love affairs are full of promises and betrayals and all kinds of human drama, and these subjects are broached in the movie. It’s a funny romantic comedy, but I think it also has something to say about love," 1984 Oscar winner MacLaine ("Terms of Endearment") says. The difference between the generations is evident when Grace a teenager who babysits Estelle and Edgar's grandson, seeks relationship advice from them. 2007 ShoWest Female Star of Tomorrow Award winner Emma Roberts plays Grace, who has decided to take her romance with her boyfriend, Alex, to the next level. "She is trying to have the perfect Valentine’s Day with her boyfriend," Roberts confided. "Throughout the day, they keep trying to meet up, but things just keep going wrong. Alex is doing everything he can think of to be very sweet and romantic, but his attempts keep failing." Taylor Swift appears as Grace’s high school classmate and friend Felicia, who is not short on advice for her best friend. "If I had to give advice to my girlfriends about Valentine’s Day, it would be that if you have a special someone, make a big deal out of the day," Swift offers. "But if you don’t, don’t psych yourself out; just think of it like any other day." Paula Thomas, a no-nonsense businesswoman, played by Queen Latifah ("Chicago"). "Paula is smart and confident," Latifah says, "and I love that when she walks down the hallway at the agency people are a little afraid of her." At A Glance

It's that fourteenth day in February when anyone who has someone special in their life wants to show them how much they care: so why wouldn't romance, heartbreak, laughter and tears be intertwined, even on a Valentine's Day in Los Angeles? Reed Bennett, a romantic at heart, is about to propose to his beautiful girlfriend Morley. He's elated: she seems a little stunned. Reed's best friend Julia has a new man in her life, Dr Harrison Copeland. Reed is about to discover the good doctor isn't all he purports to be. Talent agent in training Josh Morris has just met receptionist Liz, who has a secret: she's moonlighting as a a phone sex entertainer. Ten year old Edison is from one of Julia's classes: he wants Reed to guarantee the flowers he's chosen, get to his Valentine on time. Estelle and Edgar, have been together fifty years. Edgar will discover, sometimes things aren't as perfect as one would believe.

The Verdict "It's not just the ideal film to spend Valentine's Day with, this is a film you can enjoy any day of the year. The cast is a veritable who's who of the current Hollywood 'A' listers with a couple of surprises in the shape of Taylor Swift and Bryce Robinson thrown in. "Valentine's Day" is definately fun to watch and thankfully is very undemanding. While comparisons have been made with "Love Actually" about the only thing the two films have in common is love as a catalyst. "Valentine's Day" effectively conveys all the emotions affecting people on that special day in February. It's the ideal date movie for couples of all ages. Those who have had their heart broken and want to let it all out, may find "Valentine's Day" has a theraputic value. By finding a seat in the darkest corner of the cinema these poor souls can let it all out by sobbing their way through a film that reflects on many of the highs, lows and pitfalls of relationships which have been won and lost on one question many have dared to, or failed to, asked: 'Will you be my Valentine?' Entertaining lovey-dovey stuff that goes down easy. Recommended. 4 STARS." The Production Team

Director Screenplay Story by Producers Original Music Cinematographer Film Editor Casting Production Designer Art Direction Set Decoration Costume Designer

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Garry Marshall Katherine Fugate Katherine Fugate/Abby Kohn/Marc Silverstein Mike Karz/Wayne Allan Rice/Josie Rosen John Debney Charles Minsky Bruce Green Deborah Aquila & Mary Tricia Wood Albert Brenner Adrian Gorton K.C. Fox Gary Jones

Run Time 124 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2010 - New Line Cinemas - All Rights Reserved ©1999-2010 The Movie Pages & impact Internet Services. All Rights Reserved. Protected by Australian and International Copyright. Trademark Laws and Intellectual Property Rights apply.