| With that title, you’re probably not expecting a typical romantic comedy. And there are various times during the movie where it looks like it might become unexpected but never ends up veering off course. However, typical romantic comedies can still be enjoyable especially when you have a cast like this one. Virginia Gardner is a fresh of breath air as the heroine Gina. | | 2026
Directed by: Mark Gantt
Screenplay by: Steve Bencich
Starring: Virginia Gardner, Skylar Astin,
Jake Cannavale, and Marisa Tomei
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Gina can be surly, bitter, depressed and antagonistic, especially on Valentine’s Day. Her birthday is on Valentine’s Day and like kids born on Christmas Day she has come to resent the holiday after every birthday present is heart-shaped and love-themed. She also has another reason to hate Valentine’s Day, not romance related, which I will let the film reveal; it is predictable but it’s also a moment where it looked like the film was heading in a different direction and the plot and pacing of the movie really needs that diversion.
When Gina receives a heart-shaped pizza on Valentine’s Day she launches into a flirtatious tirade with the delivery guy/pizza place owner and then accidentally tips him a $5,000 voucher to a luxurious Greek resort (a present from her mother which she thought was $50.00). That meet cute leads to her meet cute with Andrew (Skylar Astin), which then eventually leads to a second meet cute with Johnny (Jake Cannavale), the pizza guy.
Gina’s mother is played by none other than Marisa Tomei herself, and is really fantastic in this role. A happy-go-lucky woman who takes her daughter’s negative attitude in stride, and often comes with some bizarre new-age sayings or beliefs. Each character has their own quirkiness which really plays into the comedy in the movie. For instance, Andrew and Gina meet over a lost tortoise, which Andrew will then use for some turtle-related puns throughout the movie.
The humour keeps the movie afloat and keeps people watching, there are definitely some jokes that will take you by surprise. The plot however will not take you by surprise; you can probably guess the entire story at the beginning and each turn is telegraphed well in advance. Occasionally it will make you think it’s headed in a different direction, even though it doesn’t; this helps with the pacing even though the story is a tad on the staid side.
The cast keeps this movie fun; led by Virginia Gardner, Marisa Tomei, Skylar Astin, Jake Cannavale and with Lil Rel Howery popping in for the occasional random joke, every character gets their moment to shine. F Valentine’s Day is funny enough but a bit too predictable. Worthwhile for fans of the genre.
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