MOVIE OF THE WEEK #1 (9/27/13): BAGGAGE CLAIM
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:
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KEY CAST MEMBERS: Paula Patton, Derek Luke, Jill Scott, Adam Brody, Jennifer Lewis, Taye Diggs, Trey Songz, Rickey Smiley, LaLa Carter, Affion Crockett and Djimon Hounsou
WRITER(S): David E. Talbert (screenplay and original novel on which the film is based)
DIRECTOR(S): David E. Talbert
WEB SITE: foxsearchlight.com/baggageclaim
60 SECOND PLOT SYNOPSIS: Montana Moore (Paula Patton) is a flight attendant living in Maryland down the hall from her best friend of 25 years, William Wright (Derek Luke). And while William has love in his life in the form of Taylor (Christina Milian), Montana – "Mo" for short – is not so lucky. That's not to suggest Montana hasn't been trying, however; for as much as her mother Catherine (Jennifer Lewis) loves weddings given that she's had five of them herself, Montana just can't seem to get lucky and find a guy to call her own herself.
Then Montana's little sister (Lauren London) announces she's getting married in 30 days to a college football star (Terrence J) ... Which causes Montana to try and have her love life take flight – literally – to find a guy before her sister's big day.
Montana isn't alone on her search to find a guy, though. Her co-worker Sam (Adam Brody) has an idea: Why not try to try a new approach and choose from one of Montana's exes in hopes of having new results? After all, all they have to do is find flights where some of former flames will be on board and then Montana can try and re-introduce them to "the friendly skies." Of course, Gail (Jill Scott), thinks the idea is crazy ... But she is more than willing to go along with the scheme.
So what happens when a lovelorn flight attend criss-crosses the country in search of love? Cue the opening theme music!
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST?: People who liked First Sunday (Talbert's other film); Paula Patton fans, people who like urban theater plays and those who can appreciate the film on a basic, light hearted level
Then Montana's little sister (Lauren London) announces she's getting married in 30 days to a college football star (Terrence J) ... Which causes Montana to try and have her love life take flight – literally – to find a guy before her sister's big day.
Montana isn't alone on her search to find a guy, though. Her co-worker Sam (Adam Brody) has an idea: Why not try to try a new approach and choose from one of Montana's exes in hopes of having new results? After all, all they have to do is find flights where some of former flames will be on board and then Montana can try and re-introduce them to "the friendly skies." Of course, Gail (Jill Scott), thinks the idea is crazy ... But she is more than willing to go along with the scheme.
So what happens when a lovelorn flight attend criss-crosses the country in search of love? Cue the opening theme music!
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST?: People who liked First Sunday (Talbert's other film); Paula Patton fans, people who like urban theater plays and those who can appreciate the film on a basic, light hearted level
WHO WON'T LIKE THIS FILM?: People who like their romantic comedies to be original, fresh and not so predictable.
BOTTOM LINE – IS IT GOOD, GREAT, BAD OR DOWNRIGHT AWFUL? It's just OK, but it's a salvageable OK.
WHAT'S GOOD (OR BAD) ABOUT IT?: Did you see Lottery Ticket? How about First Sunday? OK, now picture a romantic comedy on about the same level of quality except designed to have a broader appeal while maintaining its core African-American audience. Got it? OK.
You've just described the been-there, seen-that but likely still found it all right to watch Baggage Claim.
A predictable rom-com from the minute you see Paula Patton's cute-enough-to-smile-through-every-situation routine begin to unfold, Baggage Claim stakes no claim of its own. Instead, it simply recycles a few romantic comedy staples (if I describe them, it'll ruin the thin plot there is) while actually enhancing a few others (the sassy friend, the gay best friend and white character in an otherwise all-African-American cast) ... Before wrapping things up in a nice, tidy – and crowd-pleasing even though it is barely rememberable package.
Derek Luke does a good job as being the level-headed gentleman with a good smile and better heart playing against Patton's Barbie-doll like performance and the two share a formidable chemistry that keeps things moving. (I really don't mean to pick on Patton as it's not as if she has a lot to work with, but she doesn't exactly elevate her character, either.) Likewise, the film does have some genuinely funny moments in the cameo moments provided by Affion Crockett, Rickey Smiley and Adam Brody ... But there's just too much going on here that feels familiar to be anything more than a simple date movie to tide you over until your next movie night. When your side characters – even the ones featured in limited roles – are more interesting than your leads (save for one nice New Edition-inspired moment), it's not a good sign.
In short, Baggage Claim flies in coach when you hope it would soar to first class ... And that airline travel analogy is about as inspired as the film feels once everything is said and done.
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
WHAT'S GOOD (OR BAD) ABOUT IT?: Did you see Lottery Ticket? How about First Sunday? OK, now picture a romantic comedy on about the same level of quality except designed to have a broader appeal while maintaining its core African-American audience. Got it? OK.
You've just described the been-there, seen-that but likely still found it all right to watch Baggage Claim.
A predictable rom-com from the minute you see Paula Patton's cute-enough-to-smile-through-every-situation routine begin to unfold, Baggage Claim stakes no claim of its own. Instead, it simply recycles a few romantic comedy staples (if I describe them, it'll ruin the thin plot there is) while actually enhancing a few others (the sassy friend, the gay best friend and white character in an otherwise all-African-American cast) ... Before wrapping things up in a nice, tidy – and crowd-pleasing even though it is barely rememberable package.
Derek Luke does a good job as being the level-headed gentleman with a good smile and better heart playing against Patton's Barbie-doll like performance and the two share a formidable chemistry that keeps things moving. (I really don't mean to pick on Patton as it's not as if she has a lot to work with, but she doesn't exactly elevate her character, either.) Likewise, the film does have some genuinely funny moments in the cameo moments provided by Affion Crockett, Rickey Smiley and Adam Brody ... But there's just too much going on here that feels familiar to be anything more than a simple date movie to tide you over until your next movie night. When your side characters – even the ones featured in limited roles – are more interesting than your leads (save for one nice New Edition-inspired moment), it's not a good sign.
In short, Baggage Claim flies in coach when you hope it would soar to first class ... And that airline travel analogy is about as inspired as the film feels once everything is said and done.
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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