MOVIE OF THE WEEK (4/20/12): THINK LIKE A MAN
"We just got tickets to The Avengers!" Michael (Terrence J, center) shows off a picture of his new lady to the fellas – Dominic (Michael Ealy), Cedric (Kevin Hart), Bennett (Gary Owen), Zeke (Romany Malco) and Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) in a scene from director Tim Story's cinematic adaptation of comedian Steve Harvey's best-selling book THINK LIKE A MAN. Credit: Alan Markfield © 2011 Screen Gems Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved.
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Kevin Hart, Romany Malco, Jerry Ferrara, Gary Owen, Terrence J, Michael Ealy, Gabrielle Union, Jenifer Lewis, Taraji P. Henson, Chris Brown, Megan Good, Regina Hall and Steve Harvey
WRITER(S): Steve Harvey (book); Keith Merryman and David A. Newman (screenplay)
DIRECTOR: Tim Story
WEB SITE: http://www.thinklikeaman-movie.com/
THE PLOT: Based on the best-selling book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" by comedian (and Family Feud host) Steve Harvey, Think Like a Man centers around four guys in different stages of their love lives. There's Dominic (Michael Ealy), the guy still looking to find his true life's calling; Michael (Terrence J), however, just needs to realize he needs to find some space between him and his beloved mother Loretta (Jenifer Lewis). Meanwhile, Zeke (Romany Malco) is thoroughly happy being committed to his 'love 'em and leave 'em' lifestyle and Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) is a little too comfortable in his relationship. Of course, things could be worse, depending on how you look at it. They could be like Ced (Kevin Hart), a guy going through a divorce who's becoming more bitter about women by the day ... Or they could be like Bennett (Gary Owen), who is happily married but rather henpecked a bit.
What the Michael, Zeke, Dominic and Jeremy don't know, however, is that all of their good times are about be changed forever when the women in their lives pick up a secret weapon: Steve Harvey's aforementioned book.
Yup, that changes everything for Zeke, a player who is slow to realize May (Meagan Good) isn't about to break her "90 day rule." The same can be said for Jeremy once his girlfriend of 9 years, Kristen (Gabrielle Union), starts putting pressure on him to grow up and for Michael once his new lady Candace (Regina Hall) decides she only has time to raise her son Duke (Caleel Harris). Dominic, however, falls into a different category - for while he has yet to reach his dream of being a chef, he has potential. However, the object of his affection, the successful COO Lauren (Taraji P. Henson), is coming to terms with the fact in order to land a man, she's going to have to stop acting like one herself.
As they say, all's fair in love and war ... But this battle of the sexes is not going to be like any you've seen before (and by before, we mean recently in a movie theater).
What the Michael, Zeke, Dominic and Jeremy don't know, however, is that all of their good times are about be changed forever when the women in their lives pick up a secret weapon: Steve Harvey's aforementioned book.
Yup, that changes everything for Zeke, a player who is slow to realize May (Meagan Good) isn't about to break her "90 day rule." The same can be said for Jeremy once his girlfriend of 9 years, Kristen (Gabrielle Union), starts putting pressure on him to grow up and for Michael once his new lady Candace (Regina Hall) decides she only has time to raise her son Duke (Caleel Harris). Dominic, however, falls into a different category - for while he has yet to reach his dream of being a chef, he has potential. However, the object of his affection, the successful COO Lauren (Taraji P. Henson), is coming to terms with the fact in order to land a man, she's going to have to stop acting like one herself.
As they say, all's fair in love and war ... But this battle of the sexes is not going to be like any you've seen before (and by before, we mean recently in a movie theater).
THE TAKE: I am going to have to give director Tim Story a lot of credit. For he has done something I never, ever thought I would see actually happen in my lifetime: Create a romantic comedy with a predominantly African-American cast that is actually funny (hilarious even), heartfelt (dare I even say somewhat insightful) and entertaining for both men and women regardless of their race.
I know – I didn't expect that, either.
Think Like a Man works due to two major factors: [1] The comedy is actually funny. The jokes are well-constructed, each member of the cast shares a great chemistry with one another, their timing is on point and most importantly, [2] the romantic relationships are realistically examined and handled (for the most part). Instead of just regurgitating the philosophies in Harvey's book, Think Like a Man explores how they might apply and play out in real world situations. Keeping a sense of humor and humility about themselves, the characters do not become caricatures – and that keeps the movie from venturing into standard corny romantic comedy territory. When a character learn a lesson, it doesn't feel forced, which is nice lesson for Hollywood to remember as well.
I know – I didn't expect that, either.
Think Like a Man works due to two major factors: [1] The comedy is actually funny. The jokes are well-constructed, each member of the cast shares a great chemistry with one another, their timing is on point and most importantly, [2] the romantic relationships are realistically examined and handled (for the most part). Instead of just regurgitating the philosophies in Harvey's book, Think Like a Man explores how they might apply and play out in real world situations. Keeping a sense of humor and humility about themselves, the characters do not become caricatures – and that keeps the movie from venturing into standard corny romantic comedy territory. When a character learn a lesson, it doesn't feel forced, which is nice lesson for Hollywood to remember as well.
PARTING SHOT: While whether or not it remains seen whether or not it helps bridge the proverbial gap between men and women, it will make both groups laugh and leave the theater at least more conscious about all of the goofy things they do in the battle of the sexes.
RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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