Director Garry Marshall Looks for Love in All the Right Places in "Valentine's Day"

Hector Elizondo, Garry Marshall's official "Good Luck Charm," always stands out in each one of his movies, even an ensemble comedy like "Valentine's Day." Director Marshall has crafted a very diverse, 21^st-Century look at romance and relationships, but Elizondo's character helps the audience remember what true love has always been about.

"Valentine's Day" is set in Los Angeles on February 14

Set in Los Angeles on the day that many consider to be the most romantic of holidays, "Valentine's Day" examines love in all shapes and sizes. Ashton Kutcher, for instance, plays Reed Bennett, the good-hearted owner of his family's florist shop. Reed thinks he has found love with Morley (Jessica Alba), a woman that he says is much too good to be with him, so he decides to propose.

While Reed basks in the glow of his new engagement, co-workers Liz (Anne Hathaway) and Jason (Topher Grace) finally surrender to their passions, and their night together looks like the start of something wonderful. Unfortunately, Liz has a secret, one so potentially embarrassing that she is afraid to tell her brand-new boyfriend.

Jamie Foxx plays a sports journalist in "Valentine's Day"

Dedicated sports journalist Kelvin Moore (Jamie Foxx) feels his heart sink, though, when his news director (Kathy Bates) makes him spend February 14 doing fluffy, man-on-the-street interviews about Valentine's Day. Moore would rather be talking with Sean Jackson (Eric Dane), a professional football player that many fans thinks should retire from the game.

Thousands of miles away from the City of Angels, Captain Kate Hazeltine (Julia Roberts) is making a 28-hour round-trip by commercial jet to spend just one night with the most important man in her life. Captain Hazeltine's seatmate, a handsome executive named Holden (Bradley Cooper), is suitably impressed that she would use up two-thirds of her leave time for the sake of love.

Hector Elizondo speaks of the true nature of love in "Valentine's Day"

Funny, surprising and definitely eye-opening, "Valentine's Day" celebrates the day that many people actually love to hate. Kara Monahan, Jessica Biel's character in "Valentine's Day," even organizes a huge protest party on February 14, complete with a heart-shaped piñata suitable for breaking. Biel's character speaks to the countless frustrated singles in the audience for whom this holiday is just too darn painful.

Working for Katherine Fugate's screenplay, director Garry Marshall and his ensemble cast go through every romantic situation, mishap and misstep, from puppy love to falling for the wrong person. Yet, Hector Elizondo, who is a mainstay in Marshall's movies, has the most profound things to say about the true nature of love, even when faced with the ultimate betrayal by the one he adores.

As Forrest Gump might say, "Valentine's Day" is like a box of chocolates because you never know what Garry Marshall is going to toss to the audience. Some morsels are sweet, others bitter, but they are all painfully real.

"Valentine's Day," rated PG-13 for some sexual material and brief partial nudity, currently is playing in theaters.