Star-studded rom-com delights, sparkles and enchants

Six degrees of separation.

Hungarian author Frigyes Karinthy once theorized that everyone in the world can be connected by approximately six steps, introductions or chance meetings. And, like its predecessor “Valentine’s Day,” Garry Marshall’s latest film “New Year’s Eve” attempts to connect a star-studded cast in a way that is both charming and believable. And, this time, he was successful.

It is difficult to put in to words what exactly makes “New Year’s Eve” stand apart from “Valentine’s Day” because, in many ways, they are remarkably similar. Audiences are presented with a startling array of approximately 25 mega-stars from all walks of life—from rapper Chris “Ludacris” Bridges to 2011’s Sexiest Man Alive Bradley Cooper to Academy Award winner Hilary Swank—and expected to weave a web of five, six or seven different plotlines that somehow simultaneously revolve around a calendar holiday (and a whole lot of romance).

This formula, though it made for a feel-good flick, did little to help “Valentine’s Day.” For starters, Valentine’s Day is probably the most despised of all holidays. To continue a list of grievances, audiences were forced to root for Ashton Kutcher and even feel sorry for him, which was pushing the envelope even before his infidelity scandal surfaced. Audiences were forced to endure Taylor-on-Taylor (Swift and Lautner, that is) P.D.A., Emma Roberts’ awkward “planned sex” with her high school boyfriend and the transformation of their beloved “McDreamy,” Patrick Dempsey, into a cold-hearted pig.

Quite simply, it was too much.

“New Year’s Eve” represents a series of upgrades: Trade out the Taylors for seasoned young actress Abigail Breslin and Disney alumnus Zach Efron—even “High School Musical” is more respectable than “The Twilight Saga.” Trade out Queen Latifah, George Lopez and Jessica Alba for the infinitely more talented Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Swank. Add the always-lovable Halle Berry, songstress Lea Michele, resident hotties Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl and, because it’s set in sexy New York City, add Sarah Jessica Parker. To keep things interesting, throw in Jon Bon Jovi and Ludacris. And, uh, I guess Kutcher, Jessica Biel and Hector Elizondo can take a victory lap from “Valentine’s Day.”

Huge all-star cast? Check, and with a much greater quantity of Academy Award-winners in tow. The difference is noticeable.

Unlike “Valentine’s Day,” “New Year’s Eve” does not try too hard to connect its vast repertoire of characters with awkward, half-developed relationships. (Okay, the audience is expected to believe that Parker and Efron are siblings, which is more than a little weird, but the rest truly is believable). Numerous, interweaving plot lines are much easier to follow because characters are cast perfectly: Kutcher gets to be a bearded, long-haired slob, Parker, a city-frolicking fashionista and De Niro, a valiant tough guy.

As could probably be expected, De Niro, Swank and Pfeiffer carry the movie with flawless performances. Pfeiffer is particularly convincing as a socially awkward middle-aged woman who quits her job as a secretary on New Year’s Eve to complete a list of resolutions on a whirlwind motorcycling adventure with Efron. De Niro, cast as a cancer patient during his final hours, delivers a powerful and emotional counterbalance to the movie’s gleeful, holiday high notes. Ludacris surprises as a teddy bear-like companion to Swank’s neurotic businesswoman counterpart, and Bon Jovi, well, he should probably stick to singing.

So, is “New Year’s Eve” markedly different from “Valentine’s Day?” Yes and no, but the slight alterations make a big difference.

Though this feel-good flick is not shockingly brilliant by cinematic or Academy standards, it is guaranteed to warm the heart and bring tears to the eyes. Expect to be Disney sighing all the way back to your car on the way home, but do not forget to bring Kleenex. And, most importantly, expect to fall in love with love.

Duhamel’s narration said it best: “That’s New Year’s Eve to me—love, and a great party.”