A few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with two of my students, Cindy Lyles and Danielle Hall, about film. I explained that I learn something from every single film I've every seen--from big budget to independent.
Take Love Jones (1997) for example. Our shared love of Larenz Tate (Darius) and Nia Long (Nina)'s love story had us quoting lines of poetry and dialogue, talking about love, fleshing out the details for the sequel (I will gladly share with studio execs for a small fee).
And while we swooned at Darius's final plea to Nina, which for those who don't remember, although how could you forget, is: This here, right now, at this very moment, is all that matters to me. I love you. That's urgent like a motherfucker." Damn. Larenz has been away too long...
But it's Isaiah Washington's Savon who has the most profound and life-altering line from the film:
"Falling in love ain't shit. Somebody please tell me how to stay there."
The truth.
What we love and continue to love about Love Jones is that its steamy sensuality, its banter, its highs and lows, and even Bill Bellamy's Hollywood (smile), seemed so real, so attainable, and very much like our everyday lives and friendships. Young professional black people falling in love. Negotiating. Navigating. Succeeding. Failing. It's not a "masterpiece of minimalism" but a masterpiece of redemptions.
And who doesn't want to know that a man was running through the train station to find you, or welcome you home with open arms after you've left him, or court you with "In a Sentimental Mood" before he made love to you. Darius gave us hope.
Fast forward fifteen years. And yes, we're still waiting on a sequel to Love Jones and will wait until they give us one--a good one. Until then, we have Steve Harvey's adaptation of his book Act Like a Lady...Think Like a Man. The film, Think Like a Man, is a pretty decent date-night film. While the writing sometimes leaves a little to be desired, the all-star cast makes up for it, especially a delicious cameo by Morris Chesnutt. Meagan Good, Taraji P. Heanson, Regina Hall, and Gabrielle Union serve us well as women who are looking for the One and willing to put in the work to do so. The media blitz was clear. We had to see this film. Opening weekend.
Efforts paid off... A $33 million dollar weekend! The first non-Tyler Perry predominately African American cast film to do so in recent years. (Not Perry-bashing today, but it definitely demonstrates to Hollywood that black audiences, white audiences, audiences period, would show overwhelming support for other films.
I'm not going to reveal details. I don't want to spoil the ending, and I want to see it again with a more critical eye. But it's worth it. And even between Kevin Hart who was sometimes a little over the top and Michael Ealy's steamy, yet casual sexuality and gorgeous blue eyes, I still learned something new about who I was as a girlfriend and who am now as a partner, friend, and wife. But I'll keep those details to myself.
So... it's second weekend. This is not a "male-bashing chick flick." This is a film for adults of both sexes (and all races) looking to connect, to discuss, and to love--again, continuously, or for the first time.
The film needs to earn at least another $20 million--especially if we want to make the case for that Love Jones sequel!
(And I'll discuss the Sparkle trailer later...smh.)
Magnolias,
Candice Love Jackson
