Leslie Wright (Queen Latifah) is a straight-shooting physical therapist who gets the gig of a lifetime working with NBA All-Star Scott McKnight (Common). All is going well until Leslie finds herself falling for Scott, forcing her to choose between the gig and the tug-of-war inside her heart. Oblivious to her romantic overtures, McKnight is instead drawn to the affections of Leslie's childhood friend Morgan (Paula Patton), who has her sights set on being an NBA trophy wife.
Just Wright is the type of movie that does multiply things, it makes you think, cry, laugh, and most importantly it entertains the audience. This movie gives a glance in how relationships in love begin, and the steps it takes to get there. After watching this flick it makes you want to do better and elevate yourself instead of being stagnant and conforming. You never know who or what awaits you on the other side. And persistence is key!
Latifah who plays Leslie Wright definitely holds her own again, I think with each movie that she plays in an additional layer of talent is revealed. Although some may have pity for her character, I think she represents a group of people who are truly caught in that triangle. Paula Patton (Morgan) does it again, by contributing her tremendous acting skill of being able to adapt to any character she plays. As the aspiring NBA trophy wife, we get a chance to see a glimpse of what starving for stardom is really like.
Along with a great cast I can appreciate the fact they did not use the same well-known actors/actress, as the audience we get to see some new and even a few vets in the hollywood game.With actors like Laz Alonso (Fast & Furious, This Christmas, Miracle at St. Anna), newcomer Mechad Brooks (Desperate Housewives, The Game, True Blood), James Pickens Jr. (Grey's Anatomy, The Practice, The X-Files), Pam Grier (Jackie Brown, Coffy, Posse), and Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun, The Cosby Show), you really can't go wrong. Each of them contributes a balance that makes this film a MUST SEE!
Now if I had one flaw it was a scene toward the end of the film, there's a part that is a bit cheesy and cliche', nonetheless gets the point across. There are some parts (very few) where you are like, "no you didn't", but nothing so drastic to sway you to dislike the movie. Beside that the storyline was real, believable, and different, "something new". Although the basis is your typical romantic comedy, it still had a somewhat originality to it. It makes you wonder could something like this really exist maybe, maybe not (you be the judge).
One thing I really liked about this movie is that Common gets a chance to really show us that he is capable of being a leading man and he did not disappoint. I have to say that Common truly blew me out the water with his role in this movie. With this movie you get to see a softer side of him versus the rugged, hard characters he has played in previous films (Smokin' Aces, Wanted, Date Night). You almost believe that he might be a NBA player, just might need a little more height (lol). He truly embodied his character, so much that I really believed he was "Scott McKnight" from the New Jersey Nets.
Director Sanaa Hamri (Something New, The Sisterhood of Travelling Pants 2) brings a new flavor and twist with this movie. She definitely knows how to make you think and enagage your thoughts and beliefs. This is a movie that I think both men and women can appreciate. It's not just about falling in love with the "right" person, but making the sacrifices to find out who and what you really are.
Grade: A-/B+
*As a side note, Common sure knows how to make a suit look good!!
1 comment:
Common definitely holds his own and the plot was well executed for the most part. This will be in the DVD collection. I gotta say the basketball effects were believeable enough to make the game realistic. Plus there were actually at the IZOD center for the Nets, and plenty of cameos. Big shout out to adding Phylicia (Allen) Rashad.
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