Valentines Day: proof that British romantic comedies are better

Cast: Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba, Patrick Dempsey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, George Lopez, Hector Elizondo, Nigel Quashie, Emma Roberts, Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, Eric Dane, Queen Latifah and Topher Grace.

After sitting yesterday through over two hours of American romantic slush, I have come to the conclusion that we just do rom- coms better.

Not once did I laugh as every character had their hearts stomped on repeatedly, in what is basically Love Actually set in America. Of course it boasts a pretty impressive cast; unfortunately

Not a bad idea follow a group of people as they all struggle to survive Valentine’s Day, but it just doesn’t work, places which should be funny merely make you wince with mild embarrassment at the fact you have actually paid to watch it. The plot was full of so many characters and stories that half of them ended up dropping off the screen for most of the film until they remerged at the end to be inevitably reunited with the love of their life.

The acting for the most part was pretty good; Anne Hathaway was fantastic as were Julia Roberts and Bradley Cooper whose cute scenes on an aeroplane kept me from utter boredom. Unfortunately it was not enough to save me from the terrible acting of Taylor Swift, who blundered around the screen doing obscure dance routines and carrying a giant bear while her own record played in the background. Like many of the stories hers was unnecessary and merely prolonged the agony of the film.

To be honest I think you’d be better staying home and pulling out your old copy of Love Actually, because British rom- coms are always better.

4/10