MOVIE NIGHT
NEW YEAR'S EVE (2011)
A feel-good film with a fantastic cast, touching storylines, and a fabulous setting (New York on New Year's Eve); what more could a chick flick fan want? New Year's Eve focuses on several separate storylines, all taking place on New Year's Eve in New York City. There's Kim (Sarah Jessica Parker), a single mum who is trying to come to terms with the fact that her daughter Hailey (Abigail Breslin) is becoming an adult. Claire (Hilary Swank) is in charge of the city's big tradition, the ball drop on Times Square. Laura (Katherine Heigl) is a successful chef who is catering a big party for a record company where she runs into Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi), a big rock star who also happens to be her ex. Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) decides to quit her job after a near-death experience and asks twenty-something Paul (Zac Efron) to help her with her list of resolutions. Stan (Robert De Niro), an old man who is slowly dying from cancer, has one last wish to see the ball drop. Griffin (Seth Meyers) and Tess (Jessica Biel) are expecting and they want to make sure their baby is born first after New Year's Eve so they win a big cash prize. Randy (Ashton Kutcher) hates New Year's Eve and finds himself trapped in an elevator with a girl who loves the festivities. Sam (Josh Duhamel), the son of the owner of a big record company, needs to get into the city to give a speech at a party, but he is having all kinds of trouble to get to New York City.
Just like the successful chick flick hits Love Actually (2003) and Valentine's Day (2010), this film has an all-star cast and focuses on different storylines all happening around the same holiday, in this case New Year's Eve. The film is directed by Garry Marshall, who has made quite a name for himself within the world of rom-com's with films such as Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride. All kinds of topics are touched upon in the different storylines, such as hope, forgiveness, and the chance at a fresh start, and the stories are brought to live on the screen by an amazing cast of actors and actresses. I'm not ashamed to admit that I absolutely adore this film and I can't get enough of it. It's one of those films that will give you hope, one with several guaranteed happy endings. It's a feel-good, warm film that is perfect for the holiday season, or just when you want to get away from it all and need a good dose of romance and a smile on your face.
Movie reviewed by Jody Hoekstra