Okay, I rolled my eyes several times when I learnt that Steve Harvey’s book was going to be made into a  movie.  Come on, as if we do not have enough people dispensing love advice as it is.  Honestly, my take is this – what works for one person in their relationship might not work for other people.

 Your relationship is ‘the two of you specific’ but books like Steve Harvey’s book which sells on generalizations about the opposite sex makes it seem as if all men and women can fit into particular categories and the fact is this - no, we just don’t fit.  But, lest, I get off tangent,let me talk about the movie.

This movie firmly fits into the Romantic Comedy category.  It is definitely funny and I will have to give it up to Kevin Hart who killed it.  He was so funny from the beginning to the end.  His facial expressions, body movements and the things that he said were just so funny.  You just didn’t know if you should laugh at him or with him.  He was really good.   

Even though this movie featured a couple of caucasians in lead roles - this movie firmly belongs to the genre of African American comedy.  I think what made it especially funny was the parody of different relationships and the classifications  there in.    These are men and women with issues who are basically trying to find the right one, keep the right one or keep playing the field while unconsciously trying to find the one that will make them stay.  This movie features several mainstream cliche advice like don't sleep on the first date, men just want to have sex and are not interested in a deeper committed relationship,  and that black women should lower their standards to get a guy because any man who can actually match an accomplished black woman is highly likely an ass.    Say what?  Go back and read those lines again.

Now, unlike many African American movies which often need some form of improvement (Is it me or do many of them really seem like low budget or Nollywood quality movies - check out Amazon to watch what I am talking about) in terms of its quality, acting and presentation of ideas.  Almost all the actors and actresses in this movie were professional.  They knew what they were doing and they sold us to the image that they were presenting.  It was very easy to feel, joy, pain, anger, and resentment when these actors acted those roles.  They became these people except one.  Yes, I have to go to that one.   Gary Owen (Bennet character) - Okay?  What were you doing behind the camera because it was quite obvious that you did not want to be there .  His acting was so  wooden as if he was being made to act that role.  But, then maybe,that’s my prejudice showing there.  You know, his being the only perfect boring role model.  I might have something  against boring dudes, so make sure you watch the movie.

The Cinematography was on point.  No shot took too long to do.  Everything else was perfect.  Now, let’s get out my red pen and go to the content.

Now, as was mentioned earlier - I do not believe in a one size fits all relationship advice, because we are all fundamentally different and we carry our own baggage everywhere with us.   Now, I do not believe that human beings can be grouped into categories.    Now, what works for Steve Harvey and his mates will probably not work for me and the person that I am trying to get naked,  ( I promised to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth right?)

Now, Mr. Harvey or whoever seemed to be directing the movie seemed to have gotten slightly confused on the guru love idea because contradictory messages seemed to be passed on almost throughout the movie.   Case In point - sex on the first date.  In one relationship, one of the ladies had to give herself some time before getting naked with mr. player while in a different relationship featuring a different couple,  they got naked almost immediately.  So what gives?  Do we give the cookie or should we save the cookie?  Me confused?  You will see also contradictory messages from Kevin Hart’s relationship with his wife and other women.  Me triple confused?  The confusion keeps on going on and on.  His message was not really clear in this movie.  So, in terms of clarity - I give this movie a C+.   This movie also had a twist at the end.   So, you have to watch it to appreciate it.

But, beyond all that - this is a great feel good movie that will keep you laughing.    Keep it up Mr. Harvey. 

 

 

Cast:

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