A Valentine Movie Review to die for! Four friends start receive morbid Valentine cards and realize they are being stalked by someone they had spurned 13 years ago. A masked killer is on the loose and Valentine’s day is soon approaching.

I Remember You

Each of us probably has a story of a movie we snuck in to see even though we were not yet the legal age to watch it yet. For me this came in 2001 when my friends and I were given a taste of freedom as Freshman  in high school. It was the first time we had been allowed to go with just our friends to the movies on our own. We, being the curious creatures we were at that time, decided to get into the R rated movie Valentine. I was drawn to the fact that the movies biggest star was David Boreanaz.

Having grown up admiring shows like Buffy and the spin off Angel, though I am still frustrated we never got a Spike series although…Torchwood-so forgiven, I was so excited to see him on the screen. That and the movie poster was a work of art with the deep reds and the detailed Cupid’s mask. It was an exhilarating feeling to say the least. Tickets achieved we made our way to get snacks before finding our places in the theatre to kick back and enjoy the movie.

 Dance With Me

The movie begins in 1988 at a middle school dance. It tells us the story of a young man named Jeremy, who is clearly the outcast, plucking up his courage to ask each of the girls he admires to dance. He makes his way through Shelley, Lily, and Paige who all flat out deny him a dance. He makes his way to Kate who politely declines but tells him maybe later.  Jeremy makes his way to the girl sitting on the bleachers watching the dance. Dorothy is not only willing but the two end up making out under the bleachers. When caught Dorothy panics and lies saying Jeremy attacked her leading the school bullies to humiliate Jeremy in the middle of the dance floor…

20 years later we rejoin the girls now adults, struggling with different things in their own lives. Katherine Heigl plays Shelly, a pre-med trying to find a good date which doesn’t happen. After what could be stated as the worst date at the time, she goes to get work done by studying at the morgue on a corpse. Strange things start happening including an ominous valentine addressed to her being in her locker. Soon enough we meet our killer, wearing a cupid’s mask and bound to kill Shelley. She becomes his first victim.

Her death brings all of her friends back together for her funeral. It is there we meet the main focus of the story Kate, played by Marley Shelton. We also meet the other three girls, Paige is played by Denise Richards, Dorothy by Jessica Capshaw, and Lily played by Jessica Cauffel. We also get our first look at David Boreanaz who plays Adam, Kate’s love interest. Adam and Kate are not currently together because of Adam’s alcohol abuse but he hasn’t given up on their relationship yet.

I’m Doing Really Well Kate

The movie moves forward and we get to meet each of the girls and see their personalities somewhat. Valentine gives a great look into their lives, which I do love. We get to see how they are all shaping up as Valentine’s day is just around the corner. Dorothy is with Campbell, a guy who is just skeevy enough to give the impression that he is not the greatest of guys. Lily is dating an artist named Max who turns out to be into some fetishes not so up her alley. Paige… well she finds her special guy Brian while speed dating and though charming at first, looks can be deceiving.

After the funeral, two of the girls get not only Valentine’s but Lily’s comes with an extra special surprise. It isn’t until Detective Leon Vaughn, played by Fulvio Cecere, brings certain details to their attention that the girls start to wonder just whether their past may be catching up to them.
Question is, will they live long enough to find out?

Conclusion

Valentine had an amazing soundtrack including songs from Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Disturbed, Linkin Park, and Deftones just to name a few. There were references from some horror classics like The Shining, Carrie, Psycho, Halloween, even Scream and Urban Legend. The story was a familiar one of revenge but I promise it doesn’t end in a predictable way. This is one I definitely recommend cuddling up and watching this Valentine’s Day. I personally don’t agree with the 11% rating this one received but I know my nostalgia plays a part in that too. However, upon rewatching I still found it quite enjoyable and it gets a solid 8 out of 10 from me.

What’s your guilty pleasure Valentine’s Day flick? We would love to know! Leave us a comment in the section below. Phantom signing off for now.

Kendra Hale