Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Personalized picks at your fingertips

Get the mobile app on iOS and Android

Get the app
Parents' Guide to

I Hate Valentine's Day

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Uninspired romcom is no My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Movie PG-13 2009 98 minutes
I Hate Valentine's Day Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

CommonSense4All
CommonSense4All Adult
December 2, 2020
age 10+

Packed with stereotypes and tired jokes

This movie could be educational if used to explore all of the stereotypes and racist overtones it presents, for example in an intercultural communication class. Among others, the Spiritual “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve seen” is made fun of in a karaoke scene where a minoritized individual with a non-standard accent sings it.
Movieluver101
Movieluver101 Adult
August 16, 2011
age 13+

Ehhhh Okay

I think that this movie was OK. One seen of them shown in bed, and earlier he screams out onto the street, I wanna have sex with you. Genevieve smiles to much, it's a very predictable movie but I would give it a try. Not something I will rewatch, though
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Genevieve (Nia Vardalos), a Brooklyn florist, believes in romance -- but not long-term relationships (perhaps thanks to a philandering father...). She thinks a perfect pairing runs just five dates, and she has the perfect formula for them: swap family histories on the second, go for an adventure on the third, and have "the best date ever" on the fifth. Meanwhile, Greg (John Corbett), the new restaurateur on her street, has just discovered that his girlfriend doesn't consider him her only boyfriend. Charmed by Genevieve's approach to coupling, he asks her out, determined to stick to her script. But, to paraphrase John Lennon, love is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans. ...

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (2 ):

Don't watch this movie if you're lactose intolerant -- it's that full of cheese. Though it means well -- the premise, if unexciting, is at least interesting, and the supporting cast, particularly Rachel Dratch, is charming -- its whimsy is forced and its momentum nonexistent. Romantic comedies, even the most formulaic ones, succeed when they carry you aloft on a giggle and a ride -- even if you know how it's going to end, it should at least get you there with the wind behind your back.

But I HATE VALENTINE'S DAY doesn't. Vardalos and Corbett, who once exhibited great chemistry in the justly vaunted My Big Fat Greek Wedding, don't work here. The banter is strained, the delivery anemic (especially Vardalos, who seems to have recently attended the smile-brightly-and-everything-will-be-fine school of acting). There's nothing offensive enough here to inspire outright hate, but there's nothing to love, either.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays relationships. What impact does parents' relationship have on their kids? How important is romance in long-term relationships? Do you think the movie takes a realistic view of love?

  • Families can also discuss the movie's gender expectations and stereotypes. Are guys really the only ones who should do the wooing in heterosexual relationships? Do women need to be pursued?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate