One might assume it was just another bright, beautiful and hectic day in L.A, but it's not. It’s Valentine’s Day, the one day a year when even the most cynical romantics tend to do something for their special someone, flower shops across the city are unable to meet the demand, and some boyfriends propose to their sweethearts.

Reed Bennett (Ashton Kutcher) has chosen this most romantic of all days to propose to his highly successful girlfriend, Morley (Jessica Alba), who (to everyone but Reed’s surprise) says yes! Overjoyed, Reed heads off to work at his small but flourishing business, a florist, where he wastes no time in sharing his good news with friends, one of whom is Elementary teacher, Julia Fitzpatrick (Jennifer Garner). Best friends for what seems forever, Julia is Reed’s companion when Morley isn’t interested in watching silly movies or goofing off at a sporting game, but now Julia has found a promising relationship in a charming doctor (Patrick Dempsey), something that may potentially wreck their connection or bring her nothing but heartache.

Valentine’s day for those who have been unlucky in love brings nothing but misery. Publicist Kara Monahan (Jessica Biel) deals with it by annually hosting an “I Hate Valentine’s Day” bash, whose only guest is usually her friend Julia. But this year she finds an ally in sportscaster Kelvin Moore (Jamie Foxx). In the meantime, mailroom assistant Jason (Topher Grace) has just had an unfortunate epiphany. His girlfriend of three weeks, Liz (Anne Hathaway), didn’t want to linger that morning before dashing off to work, and now he thinks he knows why... or could it be that Liz is hiding secrets from him?

This film seems uncharacteristic for Garry Marshall and lacks his usual flair. Certainly there are moments where his productions are comparable and you see the charm shine through on occasion in Valentine's Day, but mostly it succeeds in being a disappointment. Two themes are terribly misplaced, one being a character moonlighting as a “phone sex” entertainer; the second is an out-of-nowhere homosexual arc that at best is annoying and at worst completely ruins what was otherwise shaping up to be a remarkably sweet conclusion. In the former's case, its made to be “acceptable” by suggesting she needs the extra money; in the latter, the audience notably voiced their displeasure in my showing with a collective groan. In the final ten minutes, former gay lovers reunite through a brief, sensual exchange (one runs a flower down the side of the other's face and rake fingers through each other's hair). Both plots are expanded on by forcing us to listen to the related conversations (with the phone sex, we hear at least three exchanges, including “threesomes,” with her clients). Numerous other concerns pepper the screenplay, not the least of which are two high-school students planning to have sex during lunch period. This could have been handled more tactfully. Much is made of it; they share their intentions with friends and a teacher and speak very casually about it being the “first time” for both (it’s said to be a magical experience to connect them). Nothing comes of it, as Grace’s mother arrives home to find Carter naked in her daughter’s bedroom (he’s carefully covered with a guitar); another high school girl tells her boyfriend they’re waiting. Unknowingly, a woman is dating a married man; when she finds out, she continues to pursue him temporarily, regardless of thoughtful warnings. Although she has been married for years, a woman had a brief fling with her husband’s business partner. Women show a lot of leg when awaking in the opening credits and appear in low cut camisoles or dresses. References are made to making out and love (scenes show some passionate kissing). Drinking is heavily involved; at a party the guests become tipsy. Profanity is littered throughout, along with crude references to male anatomy (one is much worse while the other is less so).

Looking at what I’ve written in this review, I have to wonder if any of those positive thoughts when walking out of the theater are still in the back of my mind somewhere, because thus far they appear nowhere to be found. Rarely is the humor “acceptable” in that it is genuine; “crude” becomes the operative word, instead, allowing for only brief scenes and snippets of “brilliance” to shine through, sometimes in spite of the situation being not-so-funny. Country darling Taylor Swift provides the few genuinely comical scenes there are; she is adorable as the ditzy, but sweet Felicia. She and fellow co-star Taylor Lautner are cute together as love struck teens. Similarly, Youngster Bryce Robinson gives an adorable interpretation. But an all-star ensemble unfortunately cannot save what had so much potential to be a “cute” multi story arc in the tradition of its predecessors. Scriptwriters would seem to be on the right footing in providing a comedic, smooth run, only to come crashing down by including a ridiculous comment or awkward moment. What was most troubling was the number of young people in my showing; it was embarrassing for me knowing they were actually seeing this (some of who were whispering throughout and worse, comprehending these things). Just as the conclusion to the many arcs was allowing some redemption, the script had to go and include a a stronger homosexual theme than was previously dealt with -- something I could have forgiven had it been left at that. Instead it’s become just another way for the culture to promote “acceptance” rather than strengthening the plot.

Not to be lost among the ruble is the touching story of an Army captain wanting to return home for a mere 24 hours to see her loved one (a simple but sweet reunion), or a secondary couple's strong marriage. Regardless of its flaws, the script does contain some interesting statements and for that it deserves credit, marginal as it may be. Because of its content load I cannot easily recommend this. The cast and director were the biggest draws, and it does have its touching and worthwhile instances, but are they worth wading through everything else that sours the romantic fluff? It really disappointed in certain respects; one thing they managed effortlessly is “killing” the mood of scenes. All the goodness is buried beneath layers of bad vibes. As another reviewer put it, with a movie we like to be swept off our feet, something this falls short of.