Valentine's Again

Although the premise is not a new one, with the 'Groundhog Day' story being quite popular in film and television, it is a story that has been done well elsewhere and done to timeless ground-breaking effect in 'Groundhog Day'. It was a nice idea too to base it around Valentine's Day, which is a lovely occasion every year and one where it is understandable as to why anybody would want to relive it more than once. Being somebody who has that mindset with Christmas.

'Valentine's Again' was quite cute and just scrapes the average mark by the skin of its teeth, but there was room for it to have been a good deal better than it turned out. This is a formula that has already been done a lot elsewhere and with much more freshness and to more inspired effect and 'Valentine's Again' could have done a lot more. That sounds as though it is a bad film, but to me it wasn't. Just not particularly good either and Hallmark did do better with their Love Ever After outings, as well as worse.

There are good things. It looks pleasing, with once again the scenery being particularly eye catching and one of the film's biggest pleasures. The music is pleasant and doesn't feel overused or spells out the emotions too much. It starts off quite well and quite cute and there are some amusing and heart-warming moments here and there.

Nicky Whelan and Greg Vaughan do more than acceptable jobs in their roles, particularly Whelan, and their chemistry seems natural and genuine. Marina Sirtis steals every scene she's in and the easy standout of the supporting cast.

Other than her though, the rest of the supporting cast didn't engage that much or seem particularly engaged. They were basically just there and doing the job but with not enough spark. Apart from some bright moments, too much of the dialogue doesn't flow that naturally and tends to be on the corny and tired side. Wished that there was more development with the characters, the supporting characters particularly are genre cliches pretty much and nothing more, and the central relationship plays too much second fiddle to the 'Groundhog Day' gimmick.

Which could have been executed better. Due to having seen it done many times before and with nothing new done here, it did feel tired and is never particularly clever. The repetitions also could have had a lot more variety as it was like going round in repetitive circles.

In conclusion, has moments but merely average. 5/10.