We’re all familiar with the popular saying about love being the   universal language. And here I thought the universal   colloquial was laughter but, digress I must. It’s the cusp of a Valentine’s Day weekend and we’re talking about amour’s transcedence: Its  wondrously unique ability to bridge divides; to invalidate differences — regardless of how significant or petty — into 3rd class irrelevance. Love is the sum total of an equation pairing two sides of egalitarian respect and adoration. It is, borrowing a popular aphorism I used to bite regularly when writing syrupy love cards to girlfriends, “an exclusive fan club with only two members.”  I got a lot of love for love.

So what’s wrong with this picture?

Literally, I’m speaking of the one sheet poster for the much-hyped and massively-marketed new studio release called VALENTINE’S DAY. On paper it looks to be a blockbuster. A veritable all-star cast of current moviedom’s most more recognizable, respected and attractive stars scripted by Barbara “I Dream of Jeannie” Eden’s niece and studio exec.-turned-screenwriter, Katherine Fugate and helmed together by Garry Marshall, director of PRETTY WOMAN and LaVerne DeFazio’s older brother.

Here’s the synopsis: A diverse group of Los Angelenos navigate their way through romance and heartbreak over the course of one Valentine’s Day. Couples and singles experience the pinnacles and pitfalls of finding, keeping or ending relationships in a day in the life of love.

A “diverse” group, eh? Really now. A cursory glance of the cast roster — Isn’t IMDB the greatest? — reveals Jaime Foxx, George Lopez, Jessia Alba (here playing the role of Morley Clarkson), Hector Elizondo and Queen Latifah. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the “diversity” in the “diverse” group of Los Angelenos.

So here in the nation’s 2nd largest metropolitan area, the far western most reach of the Pacific Rim and home to Hollywood High School where, at last count, more than 86 distinct languages were spoken by students on its campus, what passes for diversity in the eyes of VALENTINE’S DAY are five actors from a key cast of just under 30.

Apparently to the filmmakers, Asians, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and damn near everyone else who isn’t Western European in La Ciudad de Los Angeles, doesn’t know diddly squat about and/or is affected in any way by romance and the trials and tribulations of love.

VALENTINE’S DAY has no love for people of color love.

Admittedly, I haven’t seen the film — and likely never will — and I’m also clearly aware that this is not a documentary and realize that diversity isn’t the sole domain of race and ethnicity. But I also know blatant exclusion in 2010. Moreover, I also know that this film, a LOVE FRACTUALLY, if you will, is — in a bit of savory karmic justice — being skewered and grilled like a fat kabob kebob by critics. (May a similar fate befall whoever cast and approved the casting of this film.) I won’t front: I want this film to break and fall like a bad relationship.

Still, I’m sure the film will do just fine at the box office, just on its star power alone. But, the girlfriend and I will not be adding to its take this weekend. We’ll probably go check out a well written and smart romantic film like AN EDUCATION instead.

See, we love and respect films that love and respect us back.

You know, keeping it real.