Cast
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Denise Richards
as Paige Prescott
David Boreanaz
as Adam Carr
Marley Shelton
as Kate Davies
Jessica Capshaw
as Dorothy Wheeler
Jessica Cauffiel
as Lily Voight
Katherine Heigl
as Shelley Fisher
Fulvio Cecere
as Detective Leon Vaughn
Hedy Burress
as Ruthie Walker
Daniel Cosgrove
as Campbell Morris
Johnny Whitworth
as Max Raimi
Woody Jeffreys
as Brian
Adam J. Harrington
as Jason Marquette
Claude Duhamel
as Gary Taylor
Wyatt Page
as Evan Wheeler
Benita Ha
as Kim Wheeler
Crew
Director
- Jamie Blanks
Producer
- Dylan Sellers
Reviews
Wuchak
_**By-the-numbers slasher is entertaining**_
In the San Francisco area, five girls in 6th Grade reject a boy’s polite offer to dance with one of them falsely accusing him of assaulting her. Thirteen years later, when they’re all about 25 years-old, the women start receiving macabre valentines before their gruesome deaths. Who’s killing them and why?
"Valentine" (2001) was made by the director of “Urban Legend” (1998), which gives you an idea of what to expect. Like “Urban Legend” and the overrated “Scream” (1996), there’s a wink of parody, but it’s done better and is actually amusing, not to mention disappears by the second half.
Unlike those flicks, “Valentine” wasn’t successful at the box office, but I like it better. Sure, it’s a standard slasher with the tropes thereof, but I enjoyed it from beginning to end. It’s similar in tone to “April Fool’s Day” (2008), just superior.
The notable female cast includes: Marley Shelton (Kate), Jessica Capshaw (Dorothy), Katherine Heigl (Shelley), Jessica Cauffiel (Lily), Denise Richards (Paige) and Hedy Burress (Ruthie). On the other side of the gender spectrum there’s David Boreanaz (Adam), Fulvio Cecere (Detective Vaugn) and Daniel Cosgrove (Campbell).
The rockin’ soundtrack is good, featuring acts popular at the turn-of-the-century, like Rob Zombie, Disturbed, Linkin Park, Deftones and so forth.
The film runs 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Riverview Hospital in nearby Coquitlam.
GRADE: B/B-
Mar 23, 2022
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Valentine presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Jamie Blanks brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2001, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Valentine took approximately 5 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $10.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 96 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 130 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The screenplay went through 9 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2001, when this film is released:
- Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
- Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Valentine shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Little Things, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Valentine subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like XXX-Mas and Hostel explore similar territory, Valentine stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: February 2, 2001
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Revenue: $16,300,000
