The Banner

The romantic comedy "Valentine's Day" captured hearts of singles and couples alike during its apropos debut Valentine's weekend. The star- studded cast including Julia Roberts, Queen Latifah, Jessica Biel, Ashton Kutcher, Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner and several others, attracted enough viewers to score $52.4 million and the coveted No. 1 spot at the box office. According to the New York Times, it was the "best-ever performance for a movie over Presidents' Day weekend."

A cross between "She's Just not that Into You" and "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days," this movie shows glimpses into the intertwining stories of different couples and hopeful singles ranging from third grade to senior citizen, all of whom are just trying to survive the inevitable Valentine's Day.

The film is set in Los Angeles. Business buzzes at flower shops and romantic hotlines alike as complicated stories of forgetfulness and loneliness begin to blossom. The film starts out atagoodpace,buttherearesomany stories that it can be hard to follow. Yet the small connections that develop as time elapses leave the viewer with something to figure out.

While the simple plots and almost too coincidental conflict resolutions may not be enough to appease the typical literary scholar, they are sure to satisfy anyone seeking comic relief from the unavoidable chaos and confusion this holiday of love can bring.

Some of the more funny characters are played by Ashton Kutcher, George Lopez and Jessica Biel. Taylor Swift, who plays an over-excited high- schooler, stood out to say the least. Her debut performance was over- done, perhaps on purpose, but up against more experienced actors like Jennifer Garner and Anne Hathaway, Swift had better keep her day job. She did have plenty to add, however, as two of her newest songs "Jump then Fall" and "Today was a Fairytale" are featured in the film.

Overall, the tone is light-hearted and fun, and is a great show to attend with a date, a friend, or even a parent. That's right, while the PG-13 rating claims partial nudity and has a long list of "oh my's," there are only a few innuendos and hardly any moments that leave you feeling "awkward." But, viewers be warned: there may be a need for a tissue at the end as all the stories come together to make one great, "feel-good" movie.