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Sunday, May 8, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW
Jumping The Broom
Marrying Into Family But
Marrying Tradition First
Paula Patton as
and
Laz Alonso as in Salim Akil's romantic comedy-family drama "Jumping The Broom".
Sony Pictures/TriStar
by
Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
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Sunday, May 8, 2011
On this Mothers' Day if you are fortunate to have your mother alive and
well, give her a hug, a phone call, flowers, a kiss, your company, your
immeasurable gratitude...
...and be thankful she's not remotely like one of the mothers in Salim Akil's
phenomenally entertaining romantic comedy "Jumping The Broom", which opened this
weekend across the U.S. and Canada.
Written brilliantly by Elizabeth Hunter and Arlene Gibbs, "Jumping The Broom"
initially threatens to be yet another harmful buffoon show featuring a parade of
black performers behaving as if they were starring in last year's "Our Family
Wedding". After the half-hour mark however, Mr. Akil's film retreats
hastily from that territory and takes on a personality all its own as a rich,
layered and endlessly enjoyable comedy that has strong moments to hit you in the
solar plexus.
"Jumping The Broom" finds two classes of family in New York City: upper, and
barely surviving. The haves are led by Angela Bassett, the have-nots by
Loretta Devine. Predictably they are an uneasy fit, as are their family
members. A smart mix of comedy and drama, "Jumping The Broom" milks these
differences for all they are worth. Secrets, scandal and celebratory
moments abound as Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso) and Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) cross the
class divide to unite their families in holy hell.
The families meet for a weekend of wedded wonderful in Martha's Vineyard.
And what a weekend it will become.
Mr. Akil uncovers a couple of rays from the spectrum of the black experience in
America, coining them cleverly in stereotype and then lacerating both the
moviegoer and the characters for exhibiting hearty guffaws at the parodies by
supplying jaw-dropping suspense and tension. It's a tribute not only to
Mr. Akil's discipline but to Ms. Hunter's story and her script with Ms. Gibbs
that "Jumping The Broom" maintains its equilibrium so well and credibly for so
long, giving out its heart and feel-good vibes that make it one of the best,
most crowd-pleasing films of 2011.
For all the laughter, none of the characters that adorn the fabric of Mr. Akil's
film are ever short-changed. "Jumping The Broom" is never lazy or
haphazard. The film takes its time to show off its imperfect fraternity
while never being mean-spirited about doing so. We recognize each of these
characters in our everyday lives and their shortcomings aren't their downfall or
their handicap.
In under two hours "Jumping The Broom" juggles about twelve cast members in and
out of trouble, strife and euphoria, doing so effortlessly. I'll correct
something I said in the last paragraph with this: "Jumping The Broom" is one of
the year's five best films to date. It's a film you can't help falling in
love with, even if you think you know where it is going.
Judging by all the mmm-hmms and catcalls I heard last Wednesday night, I know
many ladies who see "Jumping The Broom" will scream out for Gary Dourdan, whom
they probably wish had more screen time. Be that as it may, Mr. Dourdan's
scenes go a long way toward making the fairer sex happy. Mr. Dourdan, a
better actor than one may think, is undeniably handsome and a striking presence
on the big screen. In some ways his cameo appearance is bigger than this
superbly focused film is, and his participation serves more as a coronation of
the comedic affairs than anything.
The screenplay is well-executed but the actors play up their roles so
marvelously.
Most notable is Mike Epps, in possibly the best work he's done on film.
Mr. Epps is more subtle here than he's been in other comedic efforts, but I
can't remember him being any funnier (even in funnier films) than he is here.
He single-handedly keeps things light even when they sometimes become gloomy if
not dire.
Of special note are three outstanding talents who never seem to get the credit
they merit: Paula Patton, extraordinary in
Lee Daniels'
"Precious" (2009) and
showy in last year's underrated
"Just Wright",
is effortlessly charismatic here. There's the everlasting excellence of
Angela Bassett as the matriarch of the richer family. You won't forget
Loretta Devine as the mother of the not-so tony Taylors. She makes one
heck of an impression as Mrs. Taylor.
If you like movies about weddings, tradition, comedy and secrets you'll never
forgive yourself if you miss "Jumping The Broom". Rich or poor, it's a
comedic opportunity you just can't afford to pass up.
With: Meagan Good, Tasha Smith, Julie Bowen, T.D. Jakes, Valerie Pettiford,
Brian Stokes Mitchell, DeRay Davis, Romeo Miller, Pooch Hall.
"Jumping The Broom" is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association Of America for
some sexual content. The film's duration is one hour and 48 minutes.
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