Let's head over to the Conscious Critique Corner™ of the blog. Today I will be providing a review of a movie I saw this weekend.
First, let me say this this film was brought to my attention by Ronnie and Lamar Tyler, founders of one of my favorite blogs, Black and Married with Kids, who invited other couples to tag along as they went to see this movie for their date night. Afterwards they invited all the couples for a brief discussion about the film.
It was great meeting The Tylers and conversing with other couples about the film but here are my honest opinions about Black Coffee.
Without giving the entire movie away, here's a brief synopsis about the film from AMC Theaters website:
"Robert (Darrin Henson) picked the wrong time to meet his soul mate! After being fired from his own father's company, he feels like his luck has run out -- until Morgan (Gabrielle Dennis) enters into his life. Just as things start to heat up between them, trouble brews as Morgan's ex-husband (Lamman Rucker) vows to get her back and Robert's gold-digging ex-girlfriend (Erica Hubbard) returns with an agenda of her own. With the help of his cousin (Christian Keyes), Robert's about to find out how much good can come out of a bad situation in this charming romantic comedy that's good to the last drop."
In the Conscious Critique Corner™ I'll review the film under the categories of good, bad, and great.
The Good:
There's something refreshing about seeing an all black cast in a film that promotes love, entrepreneurship and forgiveness.
From the opening scene, we notice that the main character, Robert, played by Darrin Henson, is hard-working and loyal. Good worth ethics must run deep in this fictional family because his cousin, Julian, played by Christian Keyes, is an entrepreneur that provokes Robert to tap into his skill set and work for himself (even mentioning The Black Wall Street). Morgan, played by Gabrielle Dennis, her ex-husband, Lamman Rucker, and even the book store clerk all left us with the reminder that if you work hard at something it will work out well for you in the end.
And speaking of a book clerk, most scenes took place in a book store and the nerd in me just squealed in side (Yes...I said squealed)!!
Along with reading, the film also promoted education, creating and supporting black businesses, and forgiveness - all things that the black community could always use more of.
The Bad:
I hate to say it but this film created a "fictional" reality. What I mean by that, is, yes everything that took place in the film could happen, but the likelihood of you and I seeing it in our day-to-day lives are slim to none. I hate saying it because deep down I wish I saw more Black Coffee stories take place. I really do. I wish more people would use a set back as a set up for their success, I wish more brothers and sisters would encourage and support their own, and I wish people would forgive easily so they could think clearly to make their own futures better.
Also, there is a portion in the end that is supposed to show a time lapse and it just didn't come across as that way. What I thought was a couple of days ended up spanning a couple of weeks, maybe even months. I'm still not sure really. Let's just say a wedding scene would have been appreciated.
The Great:
Healthy black relationships were displayed in this film. For example, Even though we don't see her father, it appears that Morgan has a healthy relationship with him and mentions him often. From saying she admired him, to the advice he gave her about handling her real estate. Also another healthy example of a parent-child relationship is Robert and his father who left him a business to take over after he passed.
There is also no shortage of healthy romantic relationships portrayed in this film either without any sex scenes. Let me repeat, there are no sex scenes in this film. ::breaks out in a happy dance:: Call me weird but I don't feel like adding soft porn bed room scenes is necessary to show that two people love each other. Instead, telling each other the truth, supporting someone to pursue their dreams and encouraging people not to make emotional decisions are, in my opinion, substantial ways to show someone that you love them, all of which were portrayed in the film.
I would highly recommend you see this film, and support it in any way that you can. It is certainly a must see in my book.Unfortunately, the film is only being show in select theatres across the nation, so make sure its showing at your local theater before you head out.
Check out the trailer, if you haven't seen it already (and in my opinion the trailer does not give the movie away).
If you end up watching Black Coffee leave your thoughts about it in a comment below.
