by Latrisha McDuffie, NDG Staff Writer
James Brown said it best when he sang “This is a man’s world, but it wouldn’t be nothing without a women or girl.” Think Like a Man, based on comedian and radio host Steve Harvey’s 2009 best-selling book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man follows four very different men whose worlds are turned upside down after the women in their lives start to use Harvey’s advice to win the game of love. When the Rat Pack learns that they have been sold out by the Family Feud guy, they plot to use the book’s insider information to give the women a taste of their own medicine.
The Think Like a Man cast is diverse and includes Oscar nominated actress, Taraji P. Henson, BET’s Terrence J, Regina Hall (Law Abiding Citizen), Michael Ealy (Takers), Gabrielle Union (Bad Boys II), Jerry Ferrara (Entourage), Gary Owen (Little Man), Romany Malco (The 40-Year Old Virgin)Meagan Good (Jumping the Broom) and the new “giant” of comedy Kevin Hart. “We wanted to make a good movie that appealed to everyone.” Stated Kevin Hart.
And as if the star line up wasn’t enough, the movie also features Jenifer Lewis, Chris Brown, Arielle Kebbel, Jay Anthony Brown, Lala Anthony, Morris Chestnut, Nephew Tommy, Sheri Sheppard, Bruce Bruce, and a surprise celebrity that plays Kevin Hart’s ex-wife Gail that will have you in stitches.
The movie is directed by Tim Story (Barbershop). Story has become known as a director that can show African-Americans in a relatable and realistic light. He is also known for pushing the envelope on racial humor. You will remember the jokes about Martin Luther King by Cedric the Entertainer in Barbershop that were funny but caused quite the stir.
There are several moments of smart black and white humor that strikes just the right balance between controversial and funny. And Gary Owen, known for being a White comedian comfortable with Black audiences, knocks the racial humor right out of the park as the happily married man.
One would think that it would be difficult to turn a self-help book without a plot into a romantic comedy; but screenwriters Keith Merryman and David A. Newman found a smart way of weaving the advice from the book into four clever battles: The non-committer vs. the girl who wants a ring, the dreamer vs. the woman who is her own man, the player vs. the 90 day rule girl, and the single mom vs. the mama’s boy.
The audience becomes a fly on the wall as we listen in on men talking about love and relationships. “This is the first time a romantic comedy is told from a man’s point of view.” Explains Kevin Hart. There is a line of an old Blues song by Betty White that said, “She was learning her man, while she was earning her man.” And the women in the movie with a little help from Steve Harvey’s book learn how their man thinks while earning a spot in their hearts.
Hart does not disappoint as the comedic thread for the movie. Tim Story gave him free reign and at times he reminds you of the great Richard Pryor during scenes where he was allowed to improvise. The basketball scene with Matt Barnes, Shannon Brown, Lisa Leslie, and Ron Artest as the “stronger version of Prince” was completely improvised and one of the funnier scenes in the entire movie.
This movie will remind you of the romantic comedies that we all know and love; Love Jones, The Brothers, and Two Can Play that Game to name a few. You will laugh, learn, and leave believing relationships again. Think Like a Man has been rated PG-13 opens in theatres nationwide April 20, 2012. The running time is 120 minutes.
